By Maktoob
A Muslim woman in Bihar’s Rohtas district allegedly died by suicide on Tuesday after consuming poison along with her two minor children, reportedly unable to cope with the trauma of her husband’s lynching and subsequent threats from the accused.
Late Monday night, the deceased, identified as Reshma Khatoon, allegedly consumed poison at her residence along with her four-year-old daughter, Taiyba, and her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Hamzad.
On Tuesday morning, neighbours grew suspicious after noticing no movement inside the house for an extended period. Upon intervening, they found all three unconscious and rushed them to a private clinic in Raj Colony, Sasaram.
As their condition worsened, they were referred to Varanasi for advanced treatment, where Reshma Khatoon later succumbed. Her two children remain in critical condition.
Rohtas Superintendent of Police Roshan Kumar confirmed Reshma’s death.
The incident comes just days after the killing of her husband, 32 year old Hasan Raza Khan, who was lynched on March 24 over a land dispute on a state highway.
According to reports, the attackers tied his hands and legs, dragged him along the highway, and beat him to death in public view. The assault was recorded on video and widely circulated on social media.
So far, four of the eight accused have been arrested. Family members allege that they have been living in constant fear and have received threats from those still at large. The individual who recorded the video has also reportedly been threatened.
Doctors at the private clinic said the victims had consumed pesticide, according to the Times of India. Authorities have obtained arrest warrants for the remaining accused, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
The alleged suicide is being linked to the psychological trauma and fear following the lynching and subsequent intimidation faced by the family.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com.