Police have not yet found any evidence in the primary investigation into allegations that a woman was raped over voting disputes in Hatiya, Noakhali.
Hatiya Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Saiful Alam told Times of Bangladesh, “Our preliminary investigation into the rape allegation has been conducted. We have not found any evidence of rape. The investigation continues.”
According to media reports, on Saturday allegations surfaced that a woman was raped over voting for the “Shapla Koli” symbol in Chanandi Union of Hatiya. The woman made the claim to journalists at Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital that afternoon while seeking treatment.
The investigating officer said, “The complainant was a supporter of the NCP. She alleged that BNP supporters attacked her home, assaulted her husband outside, and vandalized property. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, when many people were present, but no one mentioned anything about rape.”
He added, “Later that evening, between around 7:30pm and 8pm, clashes broke out between the two groups.”
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer issued a statement condemning the incident and expressing deep concern.
On the same night, leaders and activists of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti and Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka University unit staged separate protest marches on campus against the incident.
