66 females raped or abused in 5 months
Sixty-six females, including children, were victims of rape and sexual harassment from January till May 23 this year in the district, and the number continues to increase alarmingly despite filing of cases against the rapists.
Gaibandha Sadar Hospital Superintendent Dr Nuruzzaman Ahmed said incidents of rape and repression on girls and children have increased in the society. There were 10 such incidents in January, 15 in February, 17 in March, 13 in April and 11 in May in different places. The victims of all such incidents were taken to hospital for medical test.
Police arrested the culprits and produced them before the court for justice, but this is not enough, said Superintendent of Police in Gaibandha Maskurur Rahman Khaled. A social revolution is needed to stop repression on women and girls, and the guardians should be more aware about the safety of their children, he added.
Locals said Harun Mia of Gopalpur village in Gaibandha Sadar upazila arranged a religious function at his house on May 19 where Jainul Abedin, alias Maisha Pagla, was present. At one stage Maisha and Harun took the three-and-a-half-year-old daughter of a farm labourer to a nearby lonely place, where they tried to violate her. On hearing the girl's screams, locals rushed to the spot and rescued her.
Thousands of people of the village formed a human chain at Gopalpur bazar on Monday, demanding exemplary punishment to Maisha and Harun.
On May 16, Golam Azam of Laxmipur village took a Class IX girl student of Laxmipur High School and College to his house, promising to help her in getting her board registration, and attempted to rape her there.
On hearing the hue and cry locals rushed to the spot and rescued the girl, but Golam fled the scene.
Students and teachers of the institution agitated over the issue, demanding exemplary punishment to the accused.
On May 10, an eight-year-old girl was violated by her neighbour Farid Mia of Madha Bhangamore village in Sadullapur upazila.
Nine more incidents of violation and harassment took place during the month of May.
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