Satkhira: A group of local people suddenly intruded into a woman’s residence while she was talking with her cousin and brother-in-law at Panchpota village of Kolaroya upazila of Sathkhira.

The gang, claiming themselves as ‘social idols’, brought charges of anti-social activities against the three members of the family on 29 August.

The ‘social idols’ also asked the woman’s cousin and her brother-in-law (cousin’s husband) to show their marriage certificate after questioning the relation between them.

Later, the so-called ‘social idols’ dragged three of them to open place in front of the village tying them with rope and also punished them with sit ups by holding their ears.   

The 26-year-old Sultana (not her real name), filed a case with police. But she said police did not assist her properly.

12 days after the assault, photos of the barbarous act spread on social networking site, Facebook.

It has been known, Sultana, a resident of Ramkrishnapur village under Sonabaria union of Kolaroa upazila in Satkhira, has been married to Abdur Rahim (pseudonym) of the Panchpota village. Abdur Rahim has been working in Malaysia for last three years. The couple has a six-year-old daughter.

Story begins with stalking  

Sultana used to live at her residence along with her daughter Tuni (not her real name).

Sultana told NTV Online that Rahim’s nephew Billal Hossain often teased Sultana as she stayed alone at home.

Sultana said Billal, who is allegedly a smuggler, also spread rumours against her as he failed to get Sultana’s mobile number.

Sultana said Rahim’s brother Mostafa Morol returned home from Malaysia few days back. Mostafa has a dispute over land boundary with Rahim.

Billal took the advantage of their rivalry and spread more gossip against Sultana. Around four months after the mistreatment, Sultana left for her father’s house at Ramkrishnapur with his brother Omar Sharif.

Violent ‘social idols’

Sultana said she return home along with her sister Parvin Khatun (pen name) and Tuni on 27 August. Parvin’s husband, Arifur Rahman (pen name) visited their house on the next day. They were gossiping when Billal and Mostafa Morol entered into Sultana’s resident.

Billal and Mostafa were also accompanied by some local people, Ruhul Quddus, Zia, Zohor, Laltu, Bhola, Ismail, Iman Muhuri, Ashraful, Kawsar and others. The group of people termed themselves as ‘social idols’.

Sultana also said the miscreants harassed them and demanded Tk 50,000 from them.

The intruders vandalised furniture of Sultana’s residence and forcibly took away cash, jewelleries, mobile phone and other valuables as the victims declined to give them money, added Sultana.

She said, one Quddus tied three of them with rope and dragged them from the house. The men beat them, she added.

Sultana also said the local people cheered the offenders while they were torturing Sultana and her family members.

Local people said Keragachi Union Council member, Mohammad Faruque Hossain, and his son, Shabuj, went to the spot hearing hue and cry of Parvin and two others. They snatched sticks from the men and untied the victims.

Sultana became unconscious after the incident while her sister and brother-in-law fell severely sick.

Sultana’s brother Shawkat Hossain (pen name) said he was informed about her sister at about 12:00midnight.

He and his uncle went to the spot and admitted Sultana to Kolaroa Upazila Health Complex.

Case filed

Sultana said she concealed the incident out of fear, shame and further harassment. On 6 September, Sultana filed a case with Kolaroa Police though she blamed the police sub-inspector did not filed the case statement properly.

The SI did not write all the names of accused people in the case statement, she said.

Kolaroa Police sub-inspector said the main accused are Ruhul Quddus, Billal, and Ismail. Around three unidentified accused were also filed in the case statement.

Sultana also claimed that Quddus was freed on bail after three days and threatened her. The SI said Quddus was arrested on 1 September but he was granted bail as he is an examinee of Open University.

Police is trying to detain other accused, said the SI.

Local people said, the accused are absconding but few of them were seen wandering in the area.