Woman 'gang-raped' in Hatia for 'voting for Shapla Koli', claims NCP; police deny political motive

A woman was allegedly gang-raped in Hatia upazila of Noakhali following the 13th national election for voting for the National Citizen Party's (NCP) electoral symbol "Shapla Koli", according to allegations made by the party.

The NCP as well as the Jamaat-e-Islami issued separate statements last night (14 February), condemning the incident and demanding a proper investigation into the crime and justice.

The allegations first surfaced during a victory rally of Noakhali-6 MP-elect Abdul Hannan Masud, a leader of the NCP, at Chairman Ghat in Hatia yesterday. 

Hannan, however, initially claimed that "two women were gang-raped" in Chhannandi union for voting for his party's symbol.

Police have dismissed the claims of politically motivated violence, calling them exaggerated and linked to a prior dispute.

"This is exaggeration and propaganda. There was previous enmity over a property dispute. They are trying to spread false information. The way it is being presented, it is not that. We are investigating," Md Nurul Anwar, assistant superintendent of Police (Hatia Circle) said.

Noakhali Superintendent of Police TM Mosharraf Hossain told journalists that police would take action if a formal complaint is filed by the victim.

Dr Mostafizur Rahman, emergency medical officer at the Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital, said, "A 32-year-old patient came to us from Hatia.

"She alleged that around 11pm last night [Friday] she was beaten and assaulted. We immediately admitted her and sent her to our gynaecology department for physical examination. The doctors of the gynaecology department will conduct further tests and provide the final findings."

According to allegations, the alleged victim, a 32-year-old mother of three and resident of the Dhanshiri Ashrayan Project in Ward 9 of Chhannandi union, publicly claimed that she was raped late Friday night (13 February).

Speaking to local journalists while undergoing treatment at Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital the next day, the woman alleged that around 11pm, three men entered her home.

She said one of the accused, identified as Imran, and another unidentified individual stood guard at the door while a man named Rahman raped her. According to her statement, her husband was tied up during the assault.

The woman further alleged that at around 6am yesterday, eight to 10 individuals returned to her house armed with sticks, broke the main door, vandalised furniture, dragged her outside and physically assaulted her while making remarks about her voting for the "Shapla Koli" symbol.

The Jamaat-e-Islami strongly condemned the incident in a statement issued late last night by its assistant secretary general and central publicity chief, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair. 

The party described the reported assault as a heinous crime and a direct attack on human rights, women's dignity and democratic rights. 

It called for a transparent and impartial investigation and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice without political interference. The party also urged authorities to ensure the victim's security and provide full medical and legal support.

In a separate Facebook post, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said he was "truly lost for words" over the allegations. 

He stated that every citizen has the absolute right to vote freely without fear, intimidation or violence and vowed to press for accountability. 

"I will personally convey, in the strongest possible terms, to the Chairman of the BNP that far more must be done to curb such behaviour from within his ranks. Leadership demands discipline and accountability," he wrote. 

"We cannot and will not allow a culture to take hold where citizens feel compelled to defend themselves outside the law. Justice must be delivered through our institutions, firmly, swiftly and without fear or favour," he added.

The BNP has not yet issued any statement regarding the allegations. But the BNP Media Cell, sharing an audio-video clip of ASP Md Nurul Anwar by Desh TV, in a post on Facebook early today (15 February), called the allegations rumours and urged all to learn the truth.

Denouncing the incident in a statement also released last night, the NCP said, "Targeting a woman's honour in retaliation for her vote represents one of the most heinous forms of political crimes."

The statement also mentions, "In Hatia upazila of Noakhali district, following the national parliamentary election, at around 11pm on 13 February, a mother of three was raped at the Dhanshidi Ashrayan Project in Ward 9 of Chhannandi union for voting for the NCP's electoral symbol 'Shapla Koli,' with her husband tied up.

"At the time of the incident, both the victim and her husband were severely beaten. The husband was tied up in a separate room, and the woman was forcibly taken to the bathroom and raped…She was also interrogated about why she had voted for Shapla Koli."

In its statement, the party demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into all incidents of rape, attacks, vandalism and terror, the swift arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved, guaranteed security, medical care and compensation for affected families.

The NCP also urged the government to take immediate action, ensure justice for victims, and strengthen law and order to protect citizens' democratic rights.

What the Police Headquarters says

The Business Standard contacted AHM Shahadat Hossain, assistant inspector general of police at Police Headquarters, who said the headquarters does not have an official statement on the matter yet.

He referred to a video statement from Noakhali district police, which says an additional superintendent of police and an inspector were dispatched immediately after the allegation was received.

In the video, Abu Tayub Mohammad Arif Hossain, additional SP (admin) of Noakhali, is heard saying, "We have taken statements from the victim and the accused. We found that the accused was also undergoing treatment at the same hospital. We have not yet received any formal complaint, but we are investigating the matter."

"We sent our police officers to the scene and to the accused's residence. Local residents told us they were unaware of any rape and instead described it as a clash or beating. 

"We also found that the accused had been admitted to the same hospital before the alleged rape occurred. The hospital is about an hour and a half away from the reported place of occurrence. Nonetheless, we are investigating the matter with the utmost seriousness," the Additional SP says in the clip.