Students, locals block road, demanding arrest of culprits

Students of Shamsul Haque College in Baniachong upazila under Habiganj district demonstrate on nearby Habiganj-Sujatpur road yesterday demanding arrest and punishment of the criminals who assaulted a first year student of the college in a bid to rape her on January 23. PHOTO: STAR

Local people and teachers and students of Sheikh Shamsul Haque College in Baniarchong upazila headquarters barricaded Habiganj-Sujatpur road yesterday, demanding immediate arrest and punishment of the culprits who tired to violate a student of the college on January 23.

The protesters blocked the road near Uttar Sangor area for two and a half hours from 10:00am and held a rally there. Teachers and students of the college and members of the college managing committee spoke at the rally.

The speakers said due to lack of proper action against the offenders, such harassment of college and schoolgirls continued unabated.

Being informed, police went to the spot and removed the barricade around 12:30pm.

On January 23, Muzaffar Mia, 23, and Jilai Mia, 20, of Ikram village of the upazila, swooped on an HSC first-year student of the college in an alleged bid to rape her on her arrival near Shibbari area by an auto-rickshaw at around 7:00pm. She was returning home from a cultural function held in Madhabpur upazila on the day.

Hearing screams, locals rushed to the spot, rescued the girl and admitted her to Habiganj Sadar Hospital.

Victim's father, a resident of Nuabad village in the upazila and a day labourer, field a case against Muzaffar and Jilai with Baniarchong Police Station the following day, said Abdus Shahid, sub-inspector of the police station.