A series of harrowing child abuse cases reported across the country over the past week has ignited public outrage, leading to the arrest of several suspects in Habiganj, Sylhet, and Savar.
While law enforcement agencies have initiated action in multiple districts, the growing crisis has highlighted deep-seated concerns regarding local influence and attempts at “out-of-court” settlements.
Three incidents in Chattogram
Police detained 39-year-old Md Hassan for allegedly molesting a five-year-old girl in the Mohammad Nagar area under Bayezid Bostami Thana on Friday.
According to sources, the incident occurred at midnight, and local residents apprehended Hassan, son of Shafiullah and Hosne Ara Begum, at his residence on Road No. 6.
Bayezid Bostami Thana police were informed at 4pm, and by 5pm, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) brought both the accused and the complainant to the station.
Legal proceedings are currently underway.
This follows an attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in Hazipara Sunnia Madrasa area under Double Mooring Thana on Friday. The incident triggered intense local resentment, resulting in a violent confrontation where residents apprehended and beat the accused Md Ehsan, 55.
Police were reportedly besieged for nearly two hours by the agitated crowd while attempting to take the suspect into custody.
Jamal Uddin, OC of Double Mooring police station, confirmed the suspect has been sent to jail following the filing of a case. The victim remains in critical condition at the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Aminur Rashid, assistant commissioner (Media) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, stated that the allegations are being investigated with the utmost seriousness.
These cases occur alongside another report of a four-year-old girl being raped in the city’s Bakalia area on Thursday afternoon.
Four-year-old abused in Habiganj
In Habiganj Sadar, a 20-year-old man identified as Bijoy Mia, son of Abdus Salam, was arrested on Friday for the attempted rape of a four-year-old girl in Durlabhpur village.
The victim, whose father is an expatriate, was allegedly targeted last Saturday while playing near her home.
The incident came to light after the child’s mother, Momina Chowdhury, noticed changes in her daughter’s physical condition and behaviour.
The victim was admitted to the Habiganj 250-bed District Sadar Hospital on Thursday. Faika Rahman, the resident medical officer (RMO), confirmed the child is undergoing tests.
Zahidul Huq, officer-in-charge (OC) of Habiganj Sadar Model Thana, stated that the police recorded the victim’s statement at the hospital and the accused has been sent to jail following a case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act by the victim’s mother.
However, allegations have emerged that local influential figures attempted to suppress the matter through a forced settlement.
Father arrested for rape in Sylhet
In Jaintapur, Sylhet, police arrested Akbar Hossain of Ghilatail village on Thursday for the alleged rape of his 11-year-old daughter.
The arrest followed a case filed by the victim’s mother under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
The mother reported that on the night of 18 May, she awoke at 4am to her daughter’s screams.
The child later revealed that her father had been abusing her repeatedly in her mother’s absence.
OC Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Molla confirmed that the accused was produced before a court on Wednesday and subsequently sent to prison.
Controversy in Gaibandha over suspect’s release
A controversial incident occurred in Bishnupur, Gaibandha, where a youth named Imran (30) was detained by locals for allegedly luring a third-grade student into a lychee orchard with the promise of fruit to attempt a sexual assault. The child was reportedly rescued by her grandfather.
Despite the gravity of the allegation, Mashiur Rahman Sarkar, chairman of Sahapara Union Parishad, claimed the suspect was released after providing a “muchleka” (written bond) in the presence of political figures and the police.
Conversely, OC Abdullah Al Mamun of Gaibandha Sadar Thana characterised the event as “eve-teasing” and stated that no formal complaint had been received by the station.
60yr-old shopkeeper detained in Savar
In Savar, a grocery shop owner identified as Shahjahan, 60, was arrested for allegedly raping a fifth-grade student.
The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday when the girl went to buy biscuits during her school’s tiffin break at Bongram.
The victim’s uncle stated that the child was dragged into the shop and later threatened with death if she revealed the incident.
Following a case filed at Savar Model Thana, SI Imran Hossain confirmed the arrest and noted that the victim has been sent to the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
