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Sad
tales of gang–rape of minority women, attacks on Hindus
S taff Correspondent
(As is often the case in
India, both the caretaker government that supervised the elections and the
new government led by Begum Khaleda Zia and the police machinery did
precious little to stop the killing of Bangla Hindus, rape of their women
and the loot and arson of their property. It has fallen to the lot of
independent women’s organisations, human rights groups and other civil
society actors to stand by Bangladesh’s victimised minority and demand
justice. Reportedly, much of the press, too, has done its job. Reproduced
below, as an example, is a report published by the Daily Star, Dhaka, on
October 25, with the original heading.)
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad
(BMP) yesterday observed that the repression on minority communities in
the country was taking a serious turn as the administration refrained from
taking any action against the attackers.
The women’s organisation
further observed that the authorities concerned were refusing to accept
the fact that soon after the election, the minorities were subjected to
terrorist attacks. Minority women were specially the victims of rape and
sexual harassment by political terrorists in many places in the country.
Acting General Secretary of
the BMP, Dr Maleka Banu narrated stories of some of the repressed women at
a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.
The BMP sent a team
comprising its central committee leaders to Ramshil at Kotalipara and some
other places in Bagerhat district to investigate the incidents of rape
committed against minority women.
The team interviewed 10
tortured women between the ages of 13 and 45 at Ramshil. Out of them, six
were abducted by terrorists and gang-raped repeatedly for several days.
Many of them were raped even in front of their male family members and
parents.
In Bagerhat district, the
team talked with 15 women at Mollarhat, Fakirhat, Paglabazar, Baragaola,
Mejagaola, Baraigatha, Poddarbari, Mothertuli, and Surigathi. Some of them
were raped while the others were sexually harassed. The BMP also found
four rape victims at Shriramkhati, two of them died from the torture.
The BMP expressed its utter
surprise about the remarks made by the home minister and other government
officials who termed the violence on minority women in many places ‘set
game’, ‘rumour’ and ‘exaggerated descriptions.’
"This is a crisis
point for the country," Maleka Banu said. "But the leaders of
both the government and the opposition parties are not playing their due
roles."
Her organisation demanded
of the government to take immediate administrative steps against the
culprits, give them the highest punishment for raping, and pay
compensation to the affected families.
The BMP urged all political
parties and conscientious citizens to come forward with a helping hand
towards the minority communities.
The BMP would provide legal
assistance to the repressed women in filing cases against the culprits.
It will hold a protest
rally in front of the National Museum at 4 pm today to mobilise public
support against the violence on minority women.
The press conference was
also attended by Hena Das, chairperson of BMP, Bela Nabi, vice–president,
BMP, Chitra Bhattacharya, Rakhi Das Purkawastha and Rekha Choudhury.
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