A woman from Noakhali’s Subarnachar has alleged she was raped by 10 or 12 Awami League men for her 
Noahkhali gang rape victim in hospital photo collected
casting vote in favour of BNP in the 11th parliamentary election. Different women’s organizations including the Nari Pokkha, Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra, human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra and Manusher Janya Foundation in different statements strongly condemned the rape for casting vote according to her will.
Photo of the severely injured woman went vital in the social media with strong messages of protest and demand for punishment of the perpetrators of the crime
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said on the incident of gang-rape of a woman at Charjubli in Subarnachar Upazila in Noakhali, “No one will be spared whoever be the culprits.”
“I’ve heard about the incident. It didn’t take place in my constituency but in Noakhali. However, such an incident is not acceptable. The culprit must be punished. Those who’re guilty will be spared. I know the attitude of our leader,” he added.
“Already, I talked to the inspector general of police. The deputy inspector general of police (DIG) also visited the spot. The government will take a strong stance against the culprits over this incident,” he added.
The 40-year-old woman, being treated at Noakhali Sadar Hospital, told reporters that a gang of 10-12 men broke into their home in Subornachar Upazila on the night following the general election on Sunday.
According to reports reaching Dhaka, the culprits tied up the woman’s husband and their school-going daughter inside the house and dragged the woman outside to take turns in raping her.
The woman, who was also severely beaten, said the attack followed an argument she had with ruling Awami League supporters at a voting centre in Charjubili Union during the day of the general election. Local Awami League leaders have denied the allegation against them.
“Ten to 12 men, including Mosharraf, Salahuddin and Sohel, began breaking down our doors and windows. They came in and beat me up severely,” said her husband.
“We were tied up inside the house while my wife was taken outside and gang-raped. They also beat her severely.”
Neighbours helped the family to reach the Noakhali Sadar Hospital. Doctors there said the couple had suffered multiple wounds.
Nine people have been named in the case filed over the incident. Police say they have arrested three suspects and are ‘trying to catch the others’.
UNB reported, the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a non-government organisation, on Wednesday demanded exemplary punishment of those who gang-raped a woman in Noakhali.
The victim, a mother of four, was raped in Subarnachar Upazila in the early hours of December 31.
In a media statement, MJF Executive Director Shahin Anam demanded proper investigation into the incident and justice for the victim.
Although nine people had been sued, the key accused was roaming free, the MJF executive director said.
The MJF urged the government to take effective measures to prevent sexual violence against women. – GW News Desk with UNB
