Woman demands recognition as wife, stages hunger strike with poison

A young woman has staged a hunger strike at her husband's residence in Lohagara, Narail, holding a bottle of poison, demanding recognition as his wife. Upon receiving news, the accused man and his family members locked the house and fled.

The incident took place on Sunday (August 2) at around 11am at the residence of Syed Ferdous Ali in the Paschimpara area of Chachai village in the upazila.

The hunger striker has been identified as Nazmin Nahar Prema (18), daughter of Nazmul Shikder of Arapara village in the upazila. The accused, Syed Ferdous Ali (21), is the son of Syed Asaduzzaman of Chachai Paschimpara village.

The young woman alleged that she developed a romantic relationship with Ferdous Ali two years ago. Later, on April 9 this year, they entered into a marriage contract through a notary public in Narail with mutual consent. She claimed that at various times, Ferdous took her to his sister's house where they spent nights as husband and wife. However, after two months, he refused to recognise her as his wife.

Demanding recognition as his legally wedded wife, the young woman began a hunger strike in front of Ferdous's house on Sunday morning, holding a bottle of poison. She vowed to consume the poison if she was not recognised as his wife.

Ferdous Ali's family members locked the house and fled to an unknown location. Attempts to contact them through various means for their side of the story were unsuccessful.

Lohagara Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Ajit Kumar Roy said on Sunday afternoon that he was not aware of the hunger strike. However, he added that if anyone files a written complaint, legal action will be taken after investigation.