A seventh-grader was forced to quit going to school for more than two weeks in fear of stalking.
The victim, a student of Charandwip UC High School under Boalkhali upazila of Chittagong, and her family members are now living in a sense of insecurity.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Mofizul Islam, the victim’s maternal uncle, said one Sajib and his associates have been stalking his niece since December last year.
The stalker, identified as Shafiqul Islam Sajib, 26, a pipe fitter by profession, is a resident of the same upazila.
The victim’s family also said the stalkers had launched attacks on them on several occasions for filing complaints against them to the police
"Sajib harrassed my niece on her way to and from school. Later, I scolded the youth for stalking her. Finding no other way, I informed Boalkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the local police station on January 15. The next day, a police officer went to the locality and warned the youth. Infuriated, the youth along with his accomplices beat up my brother on January 24," he said.
“We went to Boalkhali police station for lodging a General Diary (GD). But, the police received a complaint instead. Now my niece cannot go to school in fear of the stalker,” he alleged.
Contacted, Boalkhali police station Officer-in-Charge Helal Uddin said he sent a sub-Inspector to the spot upon receiving complaint from the victim’s family.
“The victim’s maternal uncle was not available then. The victim herself did not give any statement regarding the stalking. On Monday, I have sent a police officer again to look into the matter. We will take necessary legal steps after the victim’s family lodges a complaint,” said the OC.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Boalkhali UNO Achhiya Khatoon said she directed the police to look into the matter.
“I have also asked the complainant to meet me in person and lodge a formal complaint and but they did not do so. The local police informed me that it is a case of political dispute. However, we will take necessary steps if the allegation is found to be true,” said the UNO.
