Mother allegedly poisons 2 children, attempts suicide in Gazipur

A woman allegedly attempted to take her own life after poisoning her two children following a family dispute in Gazipur's Sreepur upazila last night.

The incident occurred in Tepirbari village of the upazila; the two children are in critical condition and have been referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, Sreepur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Star this morning.

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According to the family's initial account, the mother first fed poison to her two children before consuming pesticide herself in an apparent suicide attempt following a domestic dispute.

The woman has been identified as Moni Akter, 30, wife of Mobarak Hossain of Netrokona Sadar. Their two children are Arafat, 4, and Maisha, 2.

According to sources, Mobarak lives with his family in Tepirbari and works in a garment factory. After returning home from work last night, he found his wife and two children lying on the floor in distress. A strong smell of pesticide was detected in the room and from their bodies, while foam was coming out of the children's mouths.

Hearing his cries for help, neighbours rushed to the house and took the three to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex.

Dr Balram Das, a physician at the health complex, said the mother and her two children were brought to the hospital in critical condition.

As the children's condition deteriorated rapidly, they were referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment.

Moni Akter remains admitted to the upazila health complex.