Dulal Hossain- Patuakhali District Correspondent:
People from all walks of life, including teachers and students of various educational institutions, have staged a protest procession and human chain in protest of the mass rape of a widow in Bauphal, Patuakhali. The rally was held in the presence of thousands of people at Taltoli Bazar in Keshabpur Union of Bauphal Upazila on Wednesday, June 1 at 11 am.

SM Mainul Islam (Senior Teacher Nazirpur Chhotadalima Secondary School), Firoz Alam (Senior Teacher Bajemahal Secondary School), Ishaq Master (Taltali Ismailia Dakhil Madrasa), Kamal Hossain (Pesh-Imam Taltali Bazar Jame Mosque) spoke on behalf of the youth. Atiq Faisal, Abu Jafar Mithu, Shamim Hossain, Nisha Akhter )spoke on behalf of the students. At the same time, the speakers demanded immediate arrest and severe punishment of those involved in the rape.

It may be mentioned that this widow from East Bharipasha village of Keshabpur Union was raped by 4-5 unidentified persons in her own house on Friday (May 20) at around 3 in the morning. The widow appeared at Bauphal police station at 5 pm on Saturday (May 21) and accused of raping her. The rapist’s son alleged that although his mother could identify the rapists, the police did not include their names in the statement for mysterious reasons.

Al-Mamun, officer-in-charge of Bauphal police station, said, “The woman has filed a case against 4-5 persons in the incident after 12 midnight on Saturday (May 21). She was sent to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital for medical test on Sunday (May 22).” He(OC) also added that a man named Dhala Mia Sardar from Bharipasha village was arrested in the case on May 31 at 5 pm”.