Police have arrested five individuals, including a union-level BNP leader and his son, in Narsingdi in connection with the abduction, rape and murder of a teenage girl.
The crime appears linked to the victim's family seeking justice for an earlier sexual assault, according to police and family members.
The arrests were made during raids in several areas under Madhabdi police station late Thursday night. They were identified as Ahmmad Ali Dewan, vice-president of Mohishasura union BNP, his son Md Imran Dewan, 32, Ebadullah, 40, son of late Sahabuddin, Md Ayub, 30, son of Md Azgar Ali, and Gaffar, 34, son of late Mojibur.
Local people said BNP leader Ahmmad Ali Dewan was previously aligned with the Awami League.
According to family members and locals, the victim's father, originally from Barisal, had been living in the Bilpara area of Madhabdi with his wife and daughter in a rented house.
They alleged that about 15 days ago, a gang of five to six men led by a local criminal known as Nura abducted the girl and raped her.
After the incident, the family approached Ahmmad Ali Dewan seeking justice. However, the alleged perpetrators and their associates reportedly tried to settle the matter in exchange for a large sum of money. When the family refused, they faced pressure to leave the area.
On Wednesday night, while the girl's father was taking her to her maternal aunt's house after work, Nura and several others allegedly abducted the girl again near Boraitola area.
The girl remained missing despite an extensive search by the family.
On Thursday afternoon, locals found the girl's body in a mustard field in the same area with her scarf tied around her neck. Police later recovered the body.
Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain of Madhabdi Police Station said a case has been filed and nine people had been named in the rape case.
Five suspects have been arrested so far and police are on the manhunt for others, he added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the rape and murder of the teenage girl.
In a statement on Friday, Assistant Secretary General and head of the party's media cell Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair described the incident as a grave blow to humanity, morality and the rule of law.
He called for immediate arrest of all those involved in the crime, irrespective of their political affiliation or social standing, and urged the authorities to ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
Zubair emphasised that there should be no political influence, social pressure or compromise in cases of heinous crimes such as rape and murder.
"There is no scope for giving concessions to rapists, whether they belong to BNP or any other party. Attempts to cover up such incidents constitute an even greater crime. If justice is not ensured, public trust in the law will erode and criminals will be further emboldened," the Jamaat leader said.
He reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami has consistently spoken in favour of justice, human rights and social security, and will continue to uphold these values.
Zubair also urged the government to take effective and stringent measures to prevent violence against women and children across the country.
Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has also expressed deep anger, concern, and strong protest over the killing of the teenage girl in Narsingdi.
In a statement issued on Friday, MJF demanded justice for victims and that perpetrators were held to account.
According to data from Ain o Salish Kendra, just last month, 35 children were subjected to various forms of violence and abuse, and 25 children were killed.
On average, nearly one child becomes a victim of such crimes every day.
MJF believes such brutality against women and children is absolutely unacceptable.
It calls upon the newly elected government to fulfil its election pledge of ensuring justice for all and protection of women and children.
DIG Rezaul vows justice over girl's rape, murder
Bdnews24.com adds: Rezaul Karim Mallick, deputy inspector general of police (DIGT) for the Dhaka Range, has vowed justice over the alleged rape and murder of a teenage girl in Narsingdi.
He made the remarks on Friday morning after visiting the scene in Madhabdi.
"We are investigating from every angle. The perpetrators will face the full force of the law," the DIG said, adding that drives were under way to arrest the remaining suspects.
Narsingdi Sadar MP Khairul Kabir Khokon also visited the area and expressed
condolences to the bereaved family.
"I have told the administration that no offender, no matter how powerful, should be spared. All the accused, including the prime suspect, must be arrested within 48 hours," he said.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
