Locals and Kalpana's relatives said her husband Sudin Chandra Baishya had a long-drawn feud with a Jamaat-e-Islami leader in Nekbakth village in Dauabari union under Jaldhaka upazila over possession of 15 decimal of land.

Clashes also took place between them on several occasions.

They alleged that the Jamaat leader and his companions earlier threatened Sudin to leave the country.

Talking to newsmen earlier, Sudin alleged that on the night of December 16 last year, when they were asleep, the Jamaat leader and his associates opened the window of their room and sprayed acid on Kalpana's body, causing severe burn injuries on the face, chest, arms and other parts of her body.

Their screams drew neighbours who claimed that in torch light focus, they saw the Jamaat leader and some of his associates fleeing, Sudin had told newsmen.

Kalpana was taken to Jaldhaka Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Acid Survivals Foundation in Dhaka. NGO BRAC and Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangshta (Bangladesh Human Rights Organization) stood beside the victim.

Sudin filed a case with Jaldhaka Thana (case No. 13, dated 20/12/2006) accusing Jamaat leader Rousan Ali and activists Monirul Islam Monju, Mahabubul Islam Bablu, Habibur Rahman and some others.

But none of the accused was arrested yet. Talking to this correspondent yesterday, Sudin alleged that police are not arresting them as they are influential in the area. Jaldhaka is a stronghold of Jamaat.

Sudin also alleged that local Union Parishad chairman Saiful Islam Mukul, also a Jamaat leader, is protecting them. When contacted, Mukul denied the allegation and claimed that the whole incident is a conspiracy hatched by Sudin to out Roushan Ali and other Jamaat men in the area in a awkward position.

Sudin also alleged that he requested Jaldhaka police to arrest the accused, but to effect.

The Officer-in-Charge of Jaldhaka police station, when contacted, said the incident is 'mysterious' and the accused are absconding.