A trader reportedly tried to take his life in an attempted suicide by setting himself on fire on the National Press Club premises on Monday.
An eyewitness account of the unprecedented incident said the suicide attempt was made in broad daylight around 5:00 pm.
The person, identified as Gazi Anis (50), is a former president of Kushtia district Chhatra League.
The critically burnt trader was later taken to Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute for treatment, it was learnt.
Police and eyewitnesses said the person might have set himself on fire out of frustration for failing to recover his claimed money from a company.
The man formed a human chain nearly two months ago, demanding Tk 12.5 million dues back from Henolux Group.
According to sources, Mr Anis came to the press club for holding a press conference on the issue but he set himself alight on the badminton ground of the club.
When contacted, Harun-ur Rashid, additional deputy commissioner (Ramna zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed the incident.
He, however, said the matter was under investigation.
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