Jessore transport workers’ union leaders on Sunday claimed that six out of the seven people arrested for the reported gang rape of a young woman in a bus in Jessore are innocent.
The six transport workers came across the rape incident and rescued the girl but police framed them for a crime they did not commit, they alleged.
Leaders of Jessore transport workers’ union made the claims at a press conference held at their office at 12pm on Sunday.
The organization’s General Secretary Mortoza Hossain said: “The victim was acquainted with Monirul Islam, a helper of MK Paribahan. They met and had sexual intercourse.
“When the bus was not found in the designated parking lot that night, the workers at the bus stand went out to look for it and found it in the Bokchor Cold Storage area.
“From there, the two were brought to the corner of Monihar Cinema Hall, beaten, and then handed over to the police by the workers.”
Mortoza continued: “The police took the six workers to the police station at night saying that they would testify in the incident. The next day, they were arrested in a rape case and taken to the court.”
At the press conference, the leaders of the organization demanded the release of the six bus workers after a thorough investigation.
Otherwise, they will wage a movement, they warned.
The young girl went to Jessore from Rajshahi on a bus of MK Paribahan on Thursday night. She was reportedly gang-raped in the bus in the Bokchor Cold Storage area that night.
Upon receiving the news, the police rescued the victim and arrested seven people.
