Female students in Faridpur’s Boalmari Upazila have complained that they are unable to go to school without parental supervision due to local youths who regularly harass them on the streets.
In addition to being physically assaulted, they complained of sexual harassment and eve teasing.
On Tuesday, the fathers of two such students wrote to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the OC seeking a resolution.
Following the letter, police arrested Abdul Alim, who was accused of harassing two sisters recently.
Boalmari Police OC Mohammad Abdul Wahab confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
According to the complaint, Sanaullah Mia’s (not his real name) daughter are students of class eight and 10 at Teljuri High School.
On Monday, the two sisters were returning home when one Amin Mollah, Abdul Alim and a few others stopped them and tried to harass them sexually.
When the younger sister, aged 13, protested the youths physically assaulted her. When the older sister tried to stop them, they assaulted her as well.
At one point when locals got to the scene upon hearing their screams, they threatened the girls and fled the scene.
The 10-th grader said that Al Amin and Abdul Alim have made improper propositions to several school students, many of whom are unable to go to school without being accompanied by their parents.
Teljuri High School Managing Committee members Md Mostafa, Ilias Mollah, Zahid Khandaker and Azizul Sarder have condemned the incident and demanded exemplary punishment of the culprits.
UNO Mosharraf Hossain said that the matter was being given utmost importance and the police have been informed of the matter.
“We have also spoken to the school authorities so that these incidents are not repeated and relevant authorities have been asked to beef up surveillance,” he added.
Boalmari OC Mohammad Abdul Wahab said that the complaint has been accepted and Abdul Alim has been arrested.
He will be sent to court on Wednesday and we have increased surveillance at the schools and colleges, he added.
