A deep sadness fills the Chawk Laxmipur residence of college teacher Mizanur Rashid as his body arrives Sunday night. Razia Sultana Mili, right, wife of the deceased, is numb with the shock while her four-year-old daughter is asleep. Mizanur suffered fatal injuries when two stalkers attacked him near his college in Natore on October 12. After fighting for 12 days, Mizanur passed away early Sunday. His funeral, followed by the burial at family graveyard, took place yesterday morning. Photo: Azahar Uddin

Stalking of women has taken a turn for the worse with a growing number of people being killed or maimed for trying to resist the menace.
The death of Mizanur Rashid, a Natore college teacher, exposes the vulnerability of those protesting harassment of women.
Mizanur, a chemistry teacher at Lokmanpur College in Bagatipara upazila of Natore, died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital on Sunday, 12 days after he was beaten up by two local stalkers.
The failure of the state and the society to shield women from stalking has led many young girls and, in some cases, parents to commit suicide.
In last nine months, at least 25 women killed themselves to escape the horror of abuse, while nine males lost their lives for standing up against stalkers, says a report of rights group Ain O Salish Kendra.
During the same period, a father committed suicide, unable to withstand watching her daughter being humiliated.
Besides, one woman was killed by neighbourhood hoodlums, and four attempted suicide.
The Kendra report adds that around 131 women were assaulted by their stalkers and 54 males came under attack for protesting teasing.
Educationists, psychologists and social scientists believe there is no room to gloss over stalking, as it has grown to be the vilest form of repression against women.
They say the rising harassment of women points to an overall moral degradation in the society. Stalking is on the rise also because the perpetrators in most cases go unpunished and get political shelter.
The government, they add, must ensure stalkers are meted out exemplary punishment.
However, the state will not be able to fight off this vicious brand of social crime unless families, educational institutions and media join in, observe the experts.
Noted educationist Serajul Islam Chowdhury said unemployment is one of the reasons behind the stalking epidemic.
Many unemployed youths harass women, as they neither respect themselves nor others. They also do not have any role model before them, he added.
He said the political parties contribute to the waning sense of humanity among the youths by using them against the rivals.
He also said families should encourage children to participate in cultural and innovative activities.
Alongside strict law enforcement, social awareness, financial security, strong family ties, employment opportunities and adherence to cultural traditions are essential to stop this rampant social ill, he noted.
Psychologist Dr Mehtab Khanam came down hard on the media for what she said was encouraging stalkers by the way they cover the incidents.
She said some people find the stories entertaining. Written words or video footage cannot always portray the reality and vulnerability of the victims. They instead give the youths the impression that these could be done to women.
Dr Mahbuba Nasreen, professor of sociology at Dhaka University, said stalking would not have reached this alarming level, had it been considered sexual harassment.
"Lately, we haven't seen any offenders being punished,” she said adding that the protesters too are not safe anymore.
A separate law should be formulated guaranteeing witness protection, she said.
Rights activist Alena Khan said weak family ties and the law enforcers' tendency to shirk their responsibility are to blame for the increase of stalking incidents.
She said the issue should be explained in the textbooks to develop awareness among the students.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hassan Mahmood Khandker said stalking has not yet reached an alarming level, but some recent incidents show the situation has worsened.
Law enforcers have arrested many stalkers in recent times and are trying various mechanisms to resist stalking, he added.