Assault on woman feeding street dogs in Banasree: Attackers still unidentified, victim alleges settlement attempt
Police say the written complaint names no accused, while the victim alleges efforts are being made locally to settle the matter.
Five days after a woman was allegedly assaulted while feeding street dogs in the capital's Banasree, the attackers remain unidentified, while she alleges efforts are being made locally to settle the matter.
The woman, Sumaiya Rahman, says she has asked police for two more days to identify those who attacked her as she is still unwell.
The incident took place around 10:30pm on 22 September in Lal Mia Goli on Road 8/3 in the F Block area of Banasree under Khilgaon Police Station.
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According to the woman's account, she was feeding several street dogs in front of a clothing shop when one of the dogs climbed on the shop's stairs. A boy aged around 10 to 12 then began making obscene remarks about her and the dogs, she alleged.
After the dog took some time to move away, the shop owner also got into an argument with her, she said, adding that at one point, a young man named Shuvo came out of the shop and punched her in the face.
She also said around 50 to 60 people then gathered within moments and attacked and harassed her. She alleged that the assault continued for around half an hour.
The woman said she sustained injuries to her face, below her eyes, on her hands and other parts of her body. Two days after the incident, she said she was still struggling to overcome the fear.
Speaking to The Business Standard, she said, "Within moments, 50-60 people gathered and formed a mob and humiliated me. My eye has turned bluish below because of the assault. Since the incident, everything keeps playing before my eyes."
She alleged that efforts were being made locally to settle the matter after she informed police about the incident.
The woman said police later brought a local BNP leader before her. She did not identify him as one of the people who assaulted her.
"He did not assault me. His relatives and people from the neighbourhood beat me. But when police brought him before me, he repeatedly moved towards me in an aggressive manner. Even after seeing the injury below my eye, he made various comments.
"I was assaulted and traumatised. Yet now police and a local political leader are trying to settle the matter, which has made me even more frightened," she added.
As of 24 September, the clothing shop in front of which the incident took place was closed, according to local sources.
Khilgaon police later visited the scene with the woman.
Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Khilgaon Police Station, said a police team led by Sub-Inspector Azharul Islam inspected the area with the woman.
Speaking to The Business Standard, he said, "The scene was inspected with the victim. But she has not yet been able to identify those who attacked her. The owner of the shop in front of which the incident took place was detained and brought before the victim. She said he was not involved in the assault."
He also said the woman had asked for two more days to identify the attackers as she was unwell.
"Police are trying to find out what actually happened, and the matter is being investigated," he said.
Police said no one had been arrested as an accused because the written complaint did not name any individual. They said the woman's cooperation was needed to identify those involved.
Police also said legal action would be taken once the attackers are identified and sufficient information is found to proceed with a case.
