Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has expressed deep concern and anger over the incident of beating a man to death for not marrying off his daughter in the Phulbari area of โโBogra.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the rights body demanded the prompt arrest of those involved in the above incident and appropriate punishment. It also demanded the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence against women and girls by improving law and order.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 172 people were reportedly killed in mob violence and lynchings across the country from August last year until May 31 this year. Of them, 76 people were killed in the first five months of this year.
Auto-rickshaw driver Shakil Ahmed, lived with his wife and 8th-grade daughter in a rented house in Shib Bari Shah Mosque Lane.
The accused, Jitu Islam, a resident of the same area, had long been trying to marry Shakilโs daughter. He used to harass the girl regularly.
On June 14, Jitu and his associates picked up Shakil from the house and took him to Nayaghat of the Karatoya River, where they beat him brutally.
Later, Shakil was rescued in a seriously injured condition and taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, where he died during treatment.
Mahila Parishad said brutal incidents of violence against women are now becoming a regular occurrence. The free movement of women and girls outside the home is being hindered. โThe insecurity of women and girls and their family members inside the home is worrying.โ
The authorities should take immediate and effective measures by considering the issue of the safety of women and girls with greater importance, the rights organisation said, putting importance on building a social movement against violence and mistreatment of women.
Mahila Parishad President Dr. Fawzia Moslem and General Secretary Maleka Banu signed the statement.
On Saturday night, the central Swechhasebak Dal, in a statement signed by Office Secretary Abdullah Al Mamun, confirmed that Jitu has been expelled from all levels of the organization for gross violation of party discipline.
Police also arrested Jitu, 43, expelled joint general secretary of the Bogra district Swechhasebak Dal, Matiur Rahman Mati, 32, and Shafiqul Hasan Biplob, 35, after Shakilโs wife, Maleka Khatun, at Bogra Sadar police station on Saturday night.
The accused were produced in court on Sunday and put on five-day remand.
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