Ex-Chhatra Dal leader catches fire while setting tyres ablaze amid Rajshahi protest
Witnesses said Shahidul Islam, the injured, caught fire while trying to ignite tyres during the demonstration
A former leader of Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, suffered burn injuries after his body caught fire while setting tyres ablaze during a protest in Rajshahi today (10 November).
The incident took place in the Chowddopai area of Rajshahi city, where supporters of BNP leader Nasir Hossain Osthir, son of former state minister for land Kabir Hossain, were demonstrating to demand the cancellation of another candidate's nomination.
Witnesses said Shahidul Islam, the injured activist and former organisational secretary of the district unit of Chhatra Dal, caught fire while trying to ignite tyres during the demonstration.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
As flames engulfed his body, Shahidul ran frantically before fellow protesters managed to extinguish the fire by removing his burning clothes.
He was later taken to the Rajshahi University Medical Centre, where he received primary treatment for burn injuries.
According to BNP sources, the protest was organised by supporters of Nasir Hossain Osthir, who was denied nomination for the Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohonpur) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The BNP instead nominated Shafiqul Haque Milon, the party's assistant secretary for relief and rehabilitation affairs, for the seat.
When contacted, Nasir Hossain Osthir said, "I have been working in this constituency for a long time in hopes of receiving the nomination. My supporters were protesting after I was denied it. During the protest, Shahidul caught fire while setting tyres ablaze. He has received initial treatment."
