107 rapes in Khulna district in last 19 months

At least 107 women and girls were raped in Khulna district in the last 19 months till November 30, 2018.

According to reports of the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) and district police submitted at a meeting on law and order held at the KMP headquarters on January 8, the rate of rape was higher in rural areas during the period and most of the victims were aged between 25 and 40.

Six women were raped in May, August, September and December each; while four each in June, October and November; and seven in July of 2017, the reports said.

In 2018, five were violated in January, March and August each; seven each in February and July; while six in April; one in May; 10 in June; 11 in September; four in October; and three in November.

Many of the perpetrators served 7-10 months' jail term after arrest while some have been on the run to evade arrest.

Charge-sheets are yet to be submitted in 25 percent of the cases, said the reports.

Sources at the local office of the Department of Women Affairs said the rape victims were given treatment at the one-stop crisis centre of Khulna Medical College Hospital while Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA), Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Human Rights Implementation Organisation were providing legal aid to them.

The reports, however, said the rate of other crimes saw a decline in the district during the period.

Additional Superintendent of Police Md Anisur Rahman said police recorded cases whenever they received any allegation of rape. “However, some of the complaints are found to be false,” he said.

“Guardians file cases after bringing back their daughters when they leave their homes without their consent. Most of the incidents are consensual. All the complaints are investigated,” the police official added.

He also said the law and order situation in the district is satisfactory as the trend of crime is showing a downtrend.