Shahjahan Ali Manon, Nilphamari District Representative:
Police arrested a hotelier on charges of sexually harassing an eighth-grade schoolgirl in Domar, Nilphamari. However, there have been allegations that he was later released in exchange for money. The role of the administration has drawn widespread criticism in the area.
The accused, Shipon Islam (45), is a resident of Jamirbari area of Sonara Union in Domar Upazila. He is a food and hotel merchant at Domar Farm Hat Bazaar by profession.
An attempt to sexually harass an eighth grade student was alleged in the Farmhat area of Domar after 11 pm on Monday (February 24). Locals came to know about the matter and arrested the accused Shipon Islam and handed him over to the police. The police took him to the police station at around 2 am on Tuesday (February 25).
Accused Shipon Islam said that the student was his distant relative. He claimed that the student used to communicate with friends using her mobile phone and he only gave the phone to help. However, on the day of the incident, at 11 pm, he went to the schoolgirl's house to take her phone and claimed that the locals had framed him in a premeditated manner.
A witness named Miftahul Islam said that he and his friends had gone to a religious gathering. After the prayer, they came to the market and saw Shipon Islam walking towards the student's house around 11 pm. When they found his behavior suspicious, they followed him. Later, when the student screamed, locals rushed to catch the accused and handed him over to the police.
The girl, who is studying in the eighth grade, complained that for a long time, an elderly man named Shipon had been harassing me in various ways. I did not tell any of my family about these things out of fear. Since there was no one at our house, he wanted to do bad things to me. Later, when I screamed, people came to my house and caught him. I want him to be brought to justice.
The girl's parents said they are deeply worried about the incident and are worried about the girl's future. They alleged that Shipon Islam had been involved in such activities for a long time. They demanded exemplary punishment for him.
Locals claim that Shipon Islam has previously been accused of immoral activities under the guise of a food and hotel business. They demand that his hotel business be closed and severe punishment be meted out.
After arresting the accused, the police took him to the police station but released him after some time. Locals alleged that the matter was settled and he was released for just 60,000 taka.
In this regard, Md. Sharif Hossain, a student leader of the anti-discrimination movement, published a video message on his personal Facebook ID. He said, "Why was the accused released for only 60 thousand taka even after a child was harassed? Such actions of Domar police station are in no way acceptable. We want the incident to be re-investigated and appropriate action to be taken."
Domar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Ariful Islam said, "After receiving a call from the area residents, the police brought the situation under control and brought Shipon Islam to the police station. However, no legal action was taken against him as the victim's family did not file a written complaint."
Locals and the victim's family have demanded a fair investigation into the incident and exemplary punishment for the accused. They have also questioned the role of the police and called for a re-investigation of the matter.
