Rape victim fears fresh attack in Lalmonirhat
The family of Sunday's rape victim at Mostafi village of Gokunda union in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila are passing days amid fear and sufferings as the alleged rapist and his men also vandalised and looted the victim's house.
"A gang led by Abdul Matin, a local leader of Awami League [AL], vandalised and looted the rape victim's tin-shed house on Tuesday noon as the victim had lodged a case against a few relatives of Matin at the village on charge of raping and torturing her," said SI Asadul Islam, investigation officer (IO) of the case.
On Tuesday night, the victim's father-in-law lodged a case with Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station accusing eight named people including Abdul Matin, president of AL's 3 No ward unit in Gokunda union, and 10 to 12 unnamed people on charge of the vandalism and looting.
According to the case lodged with the same police station on Monday, Anisur Rahman, nephew of Abdul Matin, raped the woman on Sunday night and then the rapist and his relatives tortured her and cut her hair.
"Despite poverty, we had a happy family. But the rapist and his men have ravaged our life. I am in hospital while my husband, who is a bit mentally challenged, and our little son are in trouble," said the victim at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital yesterday noon.
"Now we are passing days amid fear of fresh attack as the criminals are influential -- politically and financially. We are too poor to handle the two cases. We need help for ensuring justice," said the victim's father-in-law.
As this correspondent managed to contact absconding accused Abdul Matin over mobile yesterday, he said, "The complainant is a bad woman and filed a false case. And so, the villagers became angry and attacked her house."
Mahfuzur Rahman, officer in charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, said, "We have assured security to the victim and her family. They must get justice."
Police are conducting special drives to arrest the culprits who went into hiding, said IO Asadul Islam.
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