Two more for treatment abroad

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has cleared payment for medical expenses of two more arson victims so that they can be treated abroad.

Both were burnt in arson by pro-blockade elements.

Already two such victims -- Feni school student Minhazul Islam Anik and executive magistrate Abdul Qadir -- have been sent abroad for treatment of their burns sustained during the ongoing BNP-sponsored blockade that began on Jan 5.

The prime minister's deputy press secretary Ashraful Alam Khokan told bdnews24.com that Anik's fellow student Shahriar Hriday and Gaibandha truck driver Liton Miah will be send abroad for advanced treatment on government expenses.

The Prime Minister was bearing their expenses for treatment in Dhaka as well.

At least 36 people have so far died in the violent nationwide transport blockade by the BNP, who want snap polls that the government refuses.

Most of those killed were burnt when pro-blockade elements lobbed petrol bombs on buses and other transport.

More than 200 have suffered burns, some serious, during the bomb attacks. 74 are under treatment in different hospitals of the country, Khokan said.

All those under treatment in Dhaka have received TK 10,000 as pocket expenses from the prime minister, he said.

In most of the districts, Awami league leaders have given that to the burn victims on behalf of the prime minister.

"The prime minister is personally monitoring the condition of all these victims," Khokan said. Their relatives are been provided with VGF cards by social welfare ministry.

Additional doctors and nurses have been deployed in the Burns Unit of the hospital in view of the rush, Khokan said.

"The prime minister has deployed a senior official from her office to monitor the conditions of these victims of blockade violence," Khokan said.