Third-gender person burned to death in Cumilla; 1 arrested

A third-gender person was allegedly burned to death after pouring petrol on the victim during a dispute reportedly linked to drug trade rivalry in Cumilla's Burichang upazila.

The victim, Enamul Haque Shishir alias Mahi, 35, died around 5pm yesterday (17 May) while undergoing treatment at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital after battling critical injuries for four days.

According to police and local sources, the incident took place on 13 May near the CNG stand in front of Muktijoddha Complex area of Burichang municipality.

The victim was allegedly set on fire by another member of the same community, identified as Zahirul Islam Apon alias Zahir.

Locals rescued Mahi in a critically injured condition and first took the victim to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. The victim was later shifted to Dhaka Medical after the condition deteriorated.

Doctors said nearly 44% of Mahi's body, including the respiratory tract, had been burned.

Local residents claimed several third-gender individuals had been living in makeshift homes on government land near the Muktijoddha Complex area and that some had become involved in drug trading.

According to locals, the victim had previously been arrested in drug-related cases and had served jail time.

They alleged that a dispute over the distribution of drug money recently developed among members of the group, which may have triggered the attack.

Following the incident, the victim's father Kamrul Haque Farhad filed a murder case with Burichang Police Station.

Police have so far arrested one accused in connection with the case, while the prime suspect, Zahir, remains absconding.

Burichang Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Lutfor Rahman said police operations are ongoing to arrest the main accused.