Lalmonirhat, Jan 14 – Police on Thursday arrested two suspects for the alleged gang rape of a teenager at Teesta Toll plaza in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. The arrestees were identified as Nirmal Chandra Roy, 28, and Atikul Islam, 25. They were neighbours of the victim.
Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Shah Alam said the duo called the victim to the remote area and raped her around noon.
Police arrested the accused after the victim informed the law enforcers about her ordeal, OC said.
“We’re preparing to file a case,” he added.
Death penalty for rape
The rape incident at MC College and another in Noakhali sparked countrywide protests against sexual violence against women last year that prompted the government to amend the law to ensure maximum penalty for rape.
The much-talked-about ‘Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2020’ was then passed in Parliament on November 17 with death penalty as the highest punishment for rape.
Last year, 1,627 women fell victim to rape. Fifty-three of them were murdered after rape and 14 of the victims took their own lives, according to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK).
But the actual number is believed to be higher as many victims choose not to report assaults fearing for their safety. – UNB