Investigative Report of HRCBM-Dhaka on the gang rape of a destitute minority-girl Ms. Ramala Sarkar alias Mouri (17) residing at South Taktabunia P.S. –Amtali, District- Barguna. Incident took place on 13.04.2007. (Investigation conducted on 27-04-2007 by HRCBM representative - Ms. Minati Datta at Patuakhali)
As per report published in the Daily Sangbad on April 19, 2007 I, Rabindra Ghosh on behalf of HRCBM informed our representative Ms. Minati Datta, Chairman of Krishnacura Mahila Sangstha ( KMS) to investigate the gang rape matter as the spot is nearer to Patuakhali district. She along with one Human rights activist went to the spot on 27-04-2007 and investigated the matter in details and submitted her report in Bengali language with pictures and documents.
BACK GROUND INFORMATION:
Barguna is a district situated within Northern side of Barisal Division in Bangladesh. Ms.Ramala Sarkar aged about 17 years is an adolescent minority girl lives permanently at village – South Taktabunia, Holdia Union within Amtali police station of Barguna district. Her father Mukunda Sarkar expired earlier some years ago; she lives there with her widow mother with great hardship. Two minor younger brothers are the only male members who live hand to mouth. But the incident of gang rape upon Ms.Ramla Sarkar by rapists made her life more miserable and unbearable in the name of "Allah"
INVESTIGATION :
Ms. Minati Datta and Mrs. Afroza Akbar of Patuakhali district proceeded towards Amtali police station and they received a copy of FIR lodged by Ms. Ramala Sarkar against the perpetrators,(1) Masud (28), son of Sona Miah, (2) Malek (22), son of Yakub alias Koton Gazi, (3) Setu Mallik (30), son of late Manik Mallik, (4) Liton (27), son of late Khobbat Ali, all of them are from South Taktabunia, P.S.- Amtali, District- Barguna.
The investigation team also went to the house of the victim and found her and took statements how she has been gang raped. The victim described the sexual violence committed on her as follows: -
On 13-04-2007, Friday morning at about 10 a.m. the victim went to jewelry shop of Mukunda Sarkar to make an ornament but she found the shop closed and she went to her father's house from there and from there she again went to Mukunda's shop at about 4 p.m. and then perpetrator Setu Mallik called the victim and took her to Setu's cloth shop and the victim was made sit there. In the evening at about 6 p.m. number 1 accused Masud came in front of Setu's shop boarding a motorcycle and at the same time accused number 2,3 Malek and Liton also came in front of Setu's shop boarding a motorcycle. Then Masud told that he would be blessed if he could marry a Hindu girl and then he alluring her to marry took her on his motorcycle and took her to Amtali. At the same time, other perpetrators also went to Amtali. After reaching Amtali, Masud told the victim that he would take the victim to Dhaka and there he would marry her. He also told that as there was no way to go to Dhaka at night, so they would have to stay in village and then Masud and his accomplices Malek and Liton took the victim by motorcycle to a place of the east side of the house of Pagla Sher Ali of village South Taktabunia. Later accused number (3) Setu Mallick guarded the place around and accused number (1) Masud and (2) Malek forcibly raped the girl three times one after another without consent of the victim. Later a man named Abdul Latif rescued the girl in a precarious condition and handed her over to Selim Mallik of nearby house and after hearing the victim's story, Selim Mallik handed over the girl to Manmat Thakur and then the chairman of the village Farook Mallik was informed of the matter and later the Chairman admitted her in the local Hospital for medical examination.
The victim girl lodged FIR being Amtali P.S. case no. 12, dated 14-04-2007 under section 9(3)/30 of Nari O Sishu Nirjatan Daman Ain 2003 against four perpetrators. As per medical report submitted by medical board on 15-04-2007 it has been detected that sign of sexual intercourse were present on the date of examination of the victim. Police has arrested one perpetrator – Malek. It has also been alleged that the perpetrators are continuously threatening the victim and her widow mother and they are now absconding for fear of lives.
Statement of the perpetrator – Masud :
Accused number (1) - Masud allured the victim girl and took her by his motorbike on the plea that she would be married at Dhaka. Accused also uttered "If a Hindu girl is married by a Muslim boy, such boy will get Allah's blessings" This was the pronouncement of Masud while he was carrying the victim-girl by his motorbike on April, 13 This statement of the victim-girl has been noted in the F.I.R. lodged at the police station in Bengali language dated April 14, 2007.
Statement of Kazi Ayubur Rahman- O.C. of Amtali Police Station :
I had telephonic discussion with Kazi Ayubur Rahman O.C regarding gang rape of the victim girl over his Cell telephone number: 01715106818. O.C. replied that one perpetrator has been arrested and he felt reluctant to let us know any further development of police investigation into the matter. We asked him about the safety and security of the victim but the O.C. most discourteously disconnected his telephone line.
Findings and Recommendation:
HRCBM is greatly concerned at the incident of gang rape upon Ms.Ramala Sarkar-an adolescent minority girl at village – South Taktabunia , Amtali P.S. , District-Barguna. The perpetrators of such crime against humanity should be brought to book and the victim should be provided legal assistance so that she can get proper justice as per law from the court.
(i) The victim should be given adequate compensation,
(ii) She should be rehabilitated in the society with full dignity and prestige,
(iii) The Minority women and girls should be protected as per international protocol.
(iv)Sexual harassment by the perpetrators should be stopped.
(v)Ending violence against women and girls in Bangladesh should be the special events.
(vi)Caretaker Government of Bangladesh should take necessary steps to safeguard the rights of the minority women and children.
(vii)Rehabilitation of the victim should be made immediately as mother of the victim sought for legal assistance and rehabilitation of destitute daughter.
Report prepared by: Ms. Minati Datta-Chairman-KMS, assisted by Ms.Afroza Akbar –Krishnachura Mohilla Sangstha-Patuakhali.
Report submitted by:
(Adv.Rabindra Ghosh)
President-HRCBM-Dhaka-Bangladesh.
A youth arrested in accusation with gang raping a minority girl in Amtali Upazila of Kolapara district (The Daily Sangbad, 19th April 07)
From Our Correspondent
KOLAPARA, April 19: A minority girl of village south Toktabonia under Holdia union of Amtali district got victim of gang rape on Friday night. Police arrested Abdul Malek (22) for his alleged involvement with the incident.
According to police and local source, some youths named Masud, Liton, Setu and Malek of the same village called out the girl of dead Mukundu Sarkar of village Toktabunia from her house of Amtali on Friday morning alluring her to give a job in Dhaka by taking her in a double Decker launch. The perpetrators revolved the girl whole Amtali town all day long and started for her house saying that there was no double Decker launch available. The perpetrators at about 10 pm at a silent place near an orphanage gang raped the girl and then fled way from the spot. The locals rescued the girl on Saturday morning and took her to Amtali police station. According to the statement of the victim, police instantly went to village Toktabunia and arrested the rapist Abdul Malek. Police told that Malek admitted that he raped the girl.
Prepared and submitted by:
(Adv.Rabindra Ghosh)
President-HRCBM-Dhaka-Bangladesh.