NGO staff accused of confining woman, daughter, taking jewellery over unpaid loan
Sraboni said her daughter cried with hunger as they were locked in the room since morning
In Bagerhat's Chitalmari upazila, workers of a local NGO have been accused of seizing a housewife's gold ring, nose pin, and brass pot after she failed to repay several loan installments.
According to the victim, Sraboni Hira, staff members of the DAM Foundation for Economic Development (DFED) confined her and her three-year-old daughter inside the organisation's office on 29 October, forcing her to sign blank papers.
She alleged the workers later filmed themselves taking away her gold ornaments and a brass pot as collateral for the unpaid loan.
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Sraboni told reporters she had borrowed Tk40,000 from DFED's Chitalmari branch, with the total repayment amounting to Tk45,120, including interest. However, she fell behind on payments after her husband left the area for work.
"On that day, around 10am, they called me to the office. They locked me and my daughter in a room and came back in the evening. Then they made me sign blank papers and took my jewellery and a brass pot while recording it on video," she said, adding that her daughter cried from hunger throughout the day.
Basudev Debnath, branch manager of DFED, said, "I have heard about the matter regarding the nose pin. We will investigate the incident."
Chitalmari police station's Officer-in-Charge Rokeya Khanam said they are aware of the matter and no formal complaint had been filed yet. "If a complaint is submitted, legal action will be taken," she added.
The incident drew public attention after a video clip of Sraboni was circulated on social media on Saturday, sparking outrage in the local community.
In response, Chitalmari Upazila BNP leaders and civil society figures visited Sraboni and her daughter yesterday to offer support.
The delegation included advocate Fazlul Haque, Md Selimuzzaman, Md Mahabur Munsi, and members of the Chitalmari Upazila Press Club, including President Selim Sultan Sagar, General Secretary Md Tawhidur Rahman Babu, as well as other senior officials.
Advocate Fazlul Haque said, "We have come to stand by the victim and her child. We will remain vigilant to ensure that no one harms her in the future. We will also speak with the authorities regarding punishment for the NGO workers who allegedly abused her."
