Chuadanga cattle trader ‘commits suicide’ over Covid stigma

A 50-year-old cattle trader, who tested Covid-19 positive four days ago, reportedly committed suicide by hanging after being subjected to social stigma.

Police identified the deceased as Abdur Razzaque, of Chuadanga’s Alamdanga upazila, who was found hanging at his residence Sunday morning.

When asked about the likely trigger behind the suicide, Alamdanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Kabir said, “Razzaque had been suffering from Covid-19 symptoms and tested positive on June 16. After that, he was undergoing isolation at home following the advice of the doctors.”

“I heard my husband coughing in the morning. I went to his room to serve him breakfast but found that he ended his life by hanging,” Moyna Khatun, wife of the deceased, said.

“On June 17, the local administration hoisted a red flag on Razzaque’s residence and put it under lockdown. Next, the locals started to harass and humiliate Razzaque,” Aminul Haque Rokon, chairman of Alamdanga’s Jehala union parishad, said.

“The locals did not allow us to leave the house – even to shop for groceries,” Moyna said.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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