Angry villagers vandalised and set fire to the house of a man accused of attempting to rape a five-year-old child in Kalkini upazila of Madaripur on Monday evening.
The villagers also brought out a broom procession demanding the arrest and trial of the accused, Habul Shikdar, 57, in Madhyachar Sahebrampur village under Sahebrampur union.
Police from Kalkini Police Station rushed to the scene after receiving information, while fire service personnel extinguished the blaze.
According to the child’s family and police sources, Habul, a resident of the same village, recently found the child alone and allegedly attempted to rape her.
He went into hiding after the allegation became known, the sources said.
The family alleged that Habul later used local people to pressure them into settling the matter and refraining from filing a police case.
Angered by the alleged pressure, around 500 villagers, along with members of the child’s family, brought out a broom procession on Monday evening demanding justice.
The procession ended in front of Habul’s house, where members of the crowd later vandalised the property and set it on fire.
The child’s father said he had initially sought justice locally but received none.
“Habul Shikdar attempted to rape my young daughter. I sought justice locally but did not receive any. Instead, because pressure was applied not to file a case, angered locals set fire to Habul’s house. I have submitted a written complaint to the police regarding this incident,” he said.
Attempts were made to contact Habul and members of his family over the allegations and the arson, but no one was found at the house.
Kalkini Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahirul Alam said police were sent to the scene immediately after receiving information.
“The situation in the area is now under control, and legal action is being taken in this regard,” he said.
