A 12-year-old eighth-grade student was allegedly raped by a neighbour in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat. Although a case has been filed by the victim’s mother against the accused, Md Yusuf Ali, 40, police are yet to arrest him.
According to the case statement and local sources, the incident took place on 20 June morning, when the child was alone at her home. Taking advantage of her solitude, Yusuf Ali, a married neighbour, entered the house and forcibly raped her. Hearing her screams, local residents rushed to the scene, and the accused fled.
The child was rescued in a bleeding state and initially taken to Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex. As her condition deteriorated, she was subsequently admitted to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.
Smriti Rani, the midwife in charge of the gynaecology ward at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, confirmed that primary treatment and a physical examination revealed clear signs of rape. The child is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family and those who helped them are reportedly facing threats from the accused’s side. Nazma Begum, a relative of the victim, alleged that Yusuf and his relatives have been continuously threatening the victim’s family to suppress the matter.
She added that those who assisted in rescuing and hospitalising the child are also being threatened, leaving both her and the victim’s family in a state of extreme insecurity.
Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Siddique said that a regular case was registered after accepting the written complaint filed by the victim’s family. He added that police drives are underway to arrest the accused, Yusuf Ali.
