Restauranteur accused of prostituting female staffers

Allegations have surfaced against a Cox's Bazar restaurant owner for forcing his female staffers into prostitution.

The incident came to light when two of the employees filed two separate complaints in this connection with Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, a group of workers yesterday staged a protest at the district headquarters demanding the punishment of Nasiruddin Bachchu, owner of Shalik restaurant.

According to the workers and the complaints, Bachchu hired 21 women from indigenous communities to work at his restaurant in the Kolatoli area.

When appointing them, he imposed a condition that they would have to stay the night at the restaurant's staff quarters.

Once the women started working, they noticed that armed men were kept on guard to ensure no one could leave. They alleged that Bachchu himself would first sexually abuse them and then force them into prostitution for his guests.

They also said a male worker was tortured for trying to help the women get out of the situation.

On Thursday night, one victim managed to escape the staff quarters and file a police complaint.

Speaking to journalists at the police station, she said, "I have been facing sexual abuse for the last six months."

The same night, the male worker, who was tortured, filed another complaint against Bachchu.

Bachchu could not be contacted over the phone despite repeated attempts since Thursday night. He was also not found at the restaurant when this correspondent visited the place.

Contacted, Rakibuzzaman, officer-in-charge of Cox's Bazar Sadar police, said, "We are investigating the allegations. Legal action will be taken if they are found to be true."