Cumilla Correspondent

A case has been filed against five people for allegedly gang-raping a young woman (19) at the Awami League leader's house in Laksam, Cumilla .

The police arrested the accused in a day-long raid. This incident has created a sensation in the area.

According to police and local sources, a young woman and her husband left for Laksam on March 13 to go to her in-laws' house in Sonapur area of Noakhali district.

In the early morning of 14 March, they boarded a CNG to return home from Laksam Bypass Junction.

CNG driver Masud expresses doubt as to whether they are husband and wife. At one stage the Gandamaras of Laksam were taken to the area by trickery. The accused searched their bags and systematically abducted the young woman by taking her to Magbari area of Lalmai upazila, leaving her husband behind.

According to the police, the victim was later taken to the abandoned house of former minister Tajul Islam's brother-in-law Mohabbat Ali, general secretary of Upazila Awami League, in Laksam's Paikpara area. Accused there. Masud and Muhammad Ali raped her.

The victim was then taken to the rented house of accused Bilkish Akhtar Kalpana in Talukdar Villa of Ward No. 8 of Laksam Paur. There she was raped again.

The victim was rescued with the help of locals. Later, her mother filed a case against women and children under the Prevention of Torture Act at Laksam police station.

The arrested accused are - Muhammad Ali (25), son of deceased Khalilur Rahman of Manoharpur area of Laksam upazila, Md. of Sreepur Madhyapara of the municipality. Momin's son. Masud (23), Monir Hossain Hriday (23) son of Abu Taher of Batakhali area, Al Amin (23) son of deceased Chiddikur Rahman of North Bini area and Bilkich Akter Kalpana (40), wife of deceased Mostafiz Majumdar of Central Laksam area.

Nazneen Sultana, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Laksam Police Station said, 'Based on the complaint of the victim's family, a quick investigation was started. The police arrested five accused in a day-long operation. They sent to court on Monday. We are taking a strict stance in this matter.

This incident has created a lot of excitement in Laksam. Police say the case is being investigated with utmost importance and the victim will be provided with necessary legal assistance.