Chhatra Dal's Nasir demands apology from Asif, Hannan, Shadik Kayem over Hatia rape claim
He claimed that the accusations were strategically disseminated for political gain and lacked a factual basis.
Nasir Uddin Nasir, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has condemned what he described as the deliberate spread of unfounded allegations of rape against BNP supporters in Hatia upazila of Noakhali.
In a statement posted on Facebook today (16 February), Nasir catergorically demanded apology to the nation from NCP leaders Asif Mahmud and Abdul Hannan Masud as well as Dhaka University Central Students' Union Vice-President Md Abu Shadik Kayem for their way of handling the issue.
Earlier, on 14 February, the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami issued separate statements alleging a rape incident and demanding a proper investigation and justice.
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According to the statements, a woman was allegedly gang-raped in Hatia upazila of Noakhali following the 13th national election for voting for the NCP.
Nasir claimed that the accusations have been strategically disseminated for political gain and lacked a factual basis.
Citing official records, Nasir said the individual at the centre of the controversy was admitted to a hospital at 10:28pm on 13 February, making it impossible for him to be elsewhere and commit such a crime as rape.
"Given that the journey from Hatia to the District Sadar Hospital takes well over two hours, the suggestion that the person could have been present at two separate locations at the same time is clearly inconsistent," he added.
The post also noted the postponement of a scheduled programme by local Jamaat leader Ishak Khandakar in Noakhali, describing it as a further indication of the sensitive nature of the matter and the potential consequences of misinformation.
He emphasised that using sensitive issues like sexual violence as political tools to confuse public opinion not only represents a moral decline but also poses a risk to social stability.
He demanded that the NCP figures involved, including Abdul Hannan Masud and Asif Mahmud, publicly apologise and acknowledge responsibility for spreading the alleged misinformation.
"Truth must prevail. Misleading propaganda must cease. And the practice of exploiting sensitive issues for political advantage must be abandoned," the post said.
Meanwhile, speaking to local journalists while undergoing treatment at Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital yesterday, the woman alleged that around 11pm on 13 February, 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 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.
Hannan, however, initially claimed that "two women were gang-raped" in Chhannandi union for voting for his party's symbol.
Police at the time dismissed the claims of politically motivated violence, calling them exaggerated and linked to a prior dispute.
