Robbery, molestation on bus: Natore OC withdrawn for negligence of duty
A police officer in Natore has been temporarily removed from duty for negligence in handling the victims of a highway robbery and alleged molestation of female passengers on a moving Rajshahi-bound bus in Tangail's Mirzapur area on Monday night.
Speaking to reporters in Natore today (21 February), Rajshahi Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Shahjahan said Sirajul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of the Baraigram Police Station, has been withdrawn for negligence of duty and attached to Natore Police Lines.
"The robbery victims complained that they did not receive assistance when they went to the police station on Tuesday," he said.
"Failure to inform superiors in a timely manner and to provide service constitutes negligence of duty. As a result, OC Sirajul Islam has been asked to explain the matter and has been temporarily withdrawn," the DIG added.
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Natore's Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Amzad Hussain also told TBS that the OC was withdrawn due to negligence of duty and administrative reasons.
Case filed after three days
Meanwhile, a case was filed three days after the shocking incident.
Omar Ali, a passenger on the affected bus and a resident of Natore's Baraigram upazila, filed the case with Mirzapur Police Station in the early hours today, the station's OC Mosharraf Hossain told TBS.
"We registered the case as soon as we received the complaint. The case has been filed against eight to nine unidentified individuals," he said.
In the case statement, the plaintiff Omar detailed the robbery and the molestation of some female passengers.
According to Omar, the Rajshahi-bound Unique Road Royals bus left Dhaka's Gabtoli around 11:25pm on Monday with 30-35 passengers. The driver picked up more passengers at various spots in Hemayetpur and Gazipur's Chandra.
Shortly after crossing the Hi-tech Park in Gazipur's Kaliakoir, the robbery began around 1:45am on Tuesday. About eight-nine robbers, disguised as passengers, held the passengers hostage with knives and machetes. The robbery lasted until 4am, during which the robbers grabbed cash, gold ornaments, smartphones, and other belongings from passengers, and sexually assaulted two to three female passengers. The robbers then exited the bus in front of Nandan Park in Ashulia.
A few hours later, the bus resumed its journey towards Rajshahi. When it reached Baraigram upazila in Natore, passengers, including plaintiff Omar Ali, handed over the driver Bablu Islam, helper Sumon, and supervisor Mahbubul Alam to the police.
Later, the bus driver, helper and supervisor were released on bail due to a lack of specific charges against them.
The Baraigram Administrative Court granted their bail plea on Wednesday, according to court sources.
They were released on bail with the condition of appearing at the Mirzapur Police Station as the incident occurred in an area under its jurisdiction.
"However, I cannot say whether they appeared in Tangail or not," said Natore Additional Superintendent of Police Mahmuda Sharmin Neli.
Omar said the three attempted to file another case with the station but were unable to.
Omar expressed surprise at seeing them there as he and other passengers suspect that they might have been involved in the robbery, according to media reports.
