Mob violence is rising in Jhenaidah, with six separate incidents of mob attacks reported in the district over the past 11 months, leaving three people dead and at least six others injured.
The incidents, triggered by allegations including theft, attempted sexual assault and harassment, have raised concerns among civil society members over a deteriorating law and order situation and growing public fear of mob justice.
According to police complaints and records, six mob attacks took place between September last year and 21 August this year. Three cases were filed with Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station and three with Kaliganj Police Station, but only one person has so far been arrested.
The cases remain under investigation, while families of victims alleged that those involved in the attacks have largely escaped accountability.
The latest incident occurred on 22 August in Badurgachha village of Kaliganj Upazila, where two men were beaten over allegations of cattle theft. One of them, identified as Ainal from Natore, died at the scene, while another man, Sumon Hossain of Jashore, was injured.
Sumon’s elder brother Jahangir Hossain filed a case against 200 to 300 unidentified people, while another case was filed by a local resident. No arrests have been made in either case.
Earlier on 4 June, a rickshaw puller, Billal Hossain, 40, died after being beaten by locals in Jhenaidah Sadar over allegations of attempting to sexually abuse a seven-year-old child. Two counter-cases were filed in connection with the incident, but no one has been arrested.
In another incident on 18 September last year, locals beat Sujon Mia, 28, accusing him of theft at Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital. He died the following day. Police arrested one person after a case was filed by his father.
Several other mob attacks were also reported during the period. A 14-year-old child was allegedly beaten after being accused of stealing a mobile phone, while an elderly man and woman were assaulted over allegations of an extramarital affair. No cases were filed over those incidents, police said.
On 18 August, assistant teacher Shah Alam of Baro-Baisha Government Primary School in Kaliganj was allegedly beaten inside the school office by locals over allegations of sexually harassing a Class IV student. He was later arrested after a case was filed by the student’s mother. The teacher’s family, however, claimed he was framed over a dispute involving the school pond lease.
Human rights activists and legal experts said mob attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances and warned that failure to prosecute those involved could encourage further incidents.
Human rights activist Sharifa Khatun said law enforcement agencies must act more responsibly, as crimes should be dealt with through the legal system.
“Crime must be proven through proper investigation and trial. Mob violence is not a solution,” she said.
Jhenaidah District Bar Association president Advocate Kazi Ekramul Haque Alam said beating someone through mob action was illegal and those involved must be brought to justice.
“If mob violence is not stopped, fear will spread across society and such crimes may increase,” he said.
Jhenaidah Sadar Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Mahfuz Hossain said police were investigating the cases based on their merits.
“Those found directly involved are being arrested. Since many people are involved in mob attacks, arrests require proper verification,” he said.
Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Md Noman Hossain said authorities were working to raise public awareness and prevent people from taking the law into their own hands.
“No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. Everyone has the right to justice,” he said.
