Tired of Hep B, woman sets herself on fire

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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\05\story_5-9-2008_pg12_9

Tired of Hep B, woman sets herself on fire

By Faraz Khan

KARACHI: A 22-year-old woman allegedly fed up with Hepatitis B decided to kill

herself Thursday by setting herself on fire.

Najma Kiran was brought to the Civil hospital burns ward late at night from her

North Karachi home by neighbours. Sir Syed Inquiry officer Moin Rehmani told

Daily Times that her parents and other family were in the house at the time. Her

husband Nawaz told the police that when he returned from Taraveeh prayers she

left the room and locked herself in another one.

“We did not know anything until we heard the sound of her screaming,” said Nawaz

in his statement, adding that they tried to break down the door. It was only

with the help of neighbours that they managed to get in and take her to

hospital.

Najma had taken petrol from her husband’s motorcycle tank. “She sustained almost

one hundred percent burns injuries,” said the officer, adding that the police

had received information from the hospital and found her dead when they arrived.

According to information given by the family, Najma had contracted Hepatitis B

before she got married to embroidery worker Mohammad Nawaz three years ago. When

the family found out, there was a lot of trouble in the house and her treatment

cost a lot. She has a one-and-a-half year old boy.

Her mother told the police that she told them on the way to hospital that she

was “tired” of the disease and therefore decided to kill herself. The police are

investigating whether it was indeed a case of suicide.