The Dhaka Metropolitan Police have sought information from the city dwellers over the incident of sexual harassment of a number of women at Suhrawardy Udyan and some parts of Dhaka University campus.
In its official Facebook page, the DMP authorities on Friday afternoon posted: “We are seeking help of respected city dwellers in providing information over the incident of reported sexual harassment of women in order to conduct a fair probe.”
“So, you[city dwellers] are requested to send us any information, video footage, record or evidence over the sexual harassment of women at Dhaka University, if you have any.”
The DMP authorities also assured that the identities of the information providers would not be disclosed.
Interested people were requested to make calls on the numbers below:
Deputy-police commissioner (Ramna) 01713373120, Deputy-police commissioner (media) 01711605149, Additional deputy-police commissioner (Ramna) 01713373121, Assistant-police commissioner (media) 01711605145 and Shahbagh police station OC 01713373127
The information can also be sent through email ([email protected]).
The Facebook post got some 163 likes and 71 people shared it till 2pm Friday. Many people put comments, criticising the role of police during the incidents.
One Shamim Ahammed wrote: “What do you mean by reported sexual harassment? Are the DMP authorities trying to say that such incidents have not taken place at all or you are trying to prove that it was not a big matter at all.”
Besides, many others demanded exemplary punishment of the offenders.
When thousands of people were celebrating the Pohela Boishakh, gangs of unruly youths swooped on around five to seven women and sexually harassed them at Suhrawardy Udyan and some parts of Dhaka University campus.
The assaults took place within less than two months after three-four women were sexually harassed in public near the entrance of Suhrawardy Udyan at TSC intersection during the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
The Dhaka Tribune published two photos of the youths harassing a girl on February 21 but they could not be identified and brought to the book until now.
After series of protests and outrage in social media since Tuesday, police now say following CCTV footages, they have noticed one incident near the TSC roundabout.
Even though the police acknowledged one incident, witnesses and student leaders alleged that at least seven women came under attacks near TSC and Matsya Bhaban areas on Tuesday afternoon.
The attackers were honking vuvuzelas during the assaults to suppress the victims’ screams, witnesses said adding that they also filmed the incidents with inhuman enthusiasm.
Bangladesh Students’ Union DU unit President Liton Nandi received severe injuries while trying to rescue a woman near the TSC.
