Imtiaz Ahmed , Narayanganj

The people of Narayanganj have demanded zero tolerance for the heinous crime of rape. Along with robbery, murder, and mugging, incidents of rape and molestation are occurring almost daily across the country. Narayanganj is no exception, with several horrifying incidents reported recently.

Within just seven days, five rape cases and one molestation case have been recorded in various sub-districts of the district. Victims range from a five-year-old girl to a 20-year-old young man. However, the police administration asserts that they are actively working to prevent this social scourge.

Regarding this matter, District Superintendent of Police (SP) Pratyush Kumar Majumdar stated, “Previously, incidents of rape were not as widely reported in the media or newspapers. However, now, with instant media coverage, the entire country becomes aware of these incidents. Rape is one of the most heinous crimes and a serious social disease. The district police are continuously working to prevent it. However, we urge the people of Narayanganj not to take the law into their own hands. If any such incident occurs, inform us, and we will take legal action.”

In Araihazar, a woman was allegedly raped under the pretense of removing her husband's name from a legal case. The victim filed a case at Araihazar police station on the night of Wednesday, March 12. The incident took place in the Satgram Union area of the same sub-district.

According to the case details, the accused, Jalal, is the cousin of the victim's husband. In 2024, due to a family dispute, the victim's husband was named the prime accused in a case filed at Araihazar police station. Jalal allegedly threatened the victim regarding the case and promised to remove her husband's name if she spoke with him over the phone. Later, on multiple occasions, he lured her and raped her. He also recorded the rape on his phone and demanded 300,000 BDT, further blackmailing and raping her again. Police have confirmed that the main accused, Jalal Hossain, has been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other suspects.

In Rupganj, a seven-year-old girl was raped after being lured with chocolate. The incident occurred on Thursday, March 13, in the Rupsi Baghbari area of Tarabo Municipality.

Locals reported that the child’s family lives in a rented house in the area. The accused, Ibrahim (55), a vegetable vendor, lured the child with chocolate and took her into his shop, where he raped her. A local woman witnessed the incident and informed others. The house owner and local influential figures attempted to settle the matter by offering the victim’s family 5,000 BDT as compensation. However, upon learning of the incident, residents protested in front of the house of one of the mediators. Police stated that law enforcement was present at the scene and that a case was being processed at the police station.

In Bandar sub-district, an elderly man was arrested for attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl by luring her with chocolate. The incident took place in the Nabiganj Bagbari area on Wednesday, March 12.

Inspector (Officer-in-Charge) of Bandar police station, Tariqul Islam, confirmed that the accused, Anwar Hossain (59), son of the late Gofur Mia from Bagbari, took the girl to his rented house under the pretense of giving her chocolate, locked the door, and attempted to rape her. The child's screams alerted locals, who rescued her and reported the incident to the police. The suspect was later arrested from the same area.

In Siddhirganj, a housewife was allegedly subjected to an attempted rape after her infant child was taken hostage. The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, March 12, in the Jalkuri Uttarpara Water Tank area.

According to the case statement, the accused—Arif (32), Dalim (35), and Belal (35)—are neighbors of the victim’s husband. Around 5:45 PM, Arif knocked on the victim’s door, claiming to be delivering food for iftar. The woman accepted the food and closed the door. After iftar, Arif knocked again, and when she opened the door, he entered, shut the door, and attempted to rape her.

When the woman screamed, Arif took her three-month-old baby and ran to his room, threatening to harm the child unless she agreed to an illicit relationship. The victim called her husband, who rushed home with colleagues and rescued the child from Arif’s room. Police confirmed that a written complaint has been filed, and they are investigating the matter to take legal action.

In Sonargaon, a 35-year-old man named Monsur Ali was beaten and handed over to the police by locals after he attempted to rape a five-year-old girl. The incident took place at 11:30 PM on Thursday, March 13, in the Purana Bazar area of Kachpur.

Locals reported that the child’s parents, both garment factory workers, had left her in the care of a neighbor. Around 3 PM, while the child was playing in the courtyard, Monsur lured her into his room with the promise of food and attempted to rape her. Other tenants in the house caught him in the act, preventing the crime. Upon hearing about the incident, enraged locals physically assaulted Monsur before handing him over to the police.

In Bandar, a 20-year-old young man was allegedly molested by his neighbor, Saeed. The victim’s mother filed a case at Bandar police station on Tuesday night.

According to the case details, the victim, a simple-minded young man, was standing outside his house in the Shahi Mosque area of Bandar on the night of Saturday, March 8. At that time, his neighbor, Saeed, son of Manjur Mahajan, called him inside for an urgent discussion. Once inside, Saeed allegedly molested him and threatened to kill him if he told anyone. When the victim informed his family, his mother filed a case at the police station. Police stated that efforts are underway to arrest the fugitive accused.

Expressing strong condemnation and outrage over these incidents, Narayanganj Citizens’ Committee President, Advocate A.B. Siddique, stated, “We demand the highest level of action against these heinous crimes and call for zero tolerance for rape in Narayanganj. Otherwise, the people will not remain silent for long.”