Reported rapes of children, and teenagers have been rising at an alarming rate in Sadar, and Rajoir upazila of Madaripur. Residents of these areas are in terror regarding the safety of their daughters, and close ones.
According to sources in police, hospitals, and the statements in the rape cases, at least 13 children were reportedly raped, including a 1.5 year old infant since July this year.
Among the 13 children, who were raped, five of them are aged below ten years, and the remaining are teenagers.
On July 20, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Sazzad Hossain Khan, 40, for allegedly raping, and killing a madrasa girl Dipti Akter, 15, in the same month. The man is also a convict in a case of raping and murdering a seven-year-old child in 1992, and he served 18 years of prison sentence before being released in 2011.
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Madaripur Additional Superintendent of Police Md Badrul Alam Molla said: "Child, teenager or whom-ever is raped, the incidents are really unfortunate. Following every such incident, police is active in apprehending the accused, and sending the victims for medical test.
“However, police alone can’t reduce the number of such crimes. Along with the government, and Non-governmental organizations, people of all occupations, and class need to work together to eradicate such evil.”
He further added: “Most importantly the court has a huge role to play toward punishing the culprits. All the pornography sites should also be made inaccessible.”
Senior Co-ordinating Advocate Md Ibrahim Mia of Madaripur Legal Aid Association, also held ‘pornography’ responsible for the increasing number of child rapes. He said: “Culture of impunity is one of the reasons for the increasing number of rapes. Combined effort of police, advocates, and judges is required in this regard. Moreover, we think zero tolerance policy is crucial for rapists with political affiliations.”
On October 8, a 14-year-old school girl was reportedly raped after she was lured to a deserted place in Madaripur Sadar upazila. The accused Hridoy Hawlader, 23, told the girl that he will take her to a puja mandap but took advantage of her trust, and raped her.
On October 6, a rickshaw van driver reportedly raped a differently-abled teen-ager in Rajoir upazila. The accused Akash, 20, also told the girl that he will take her to a mandap, and raped her in a garage.
On September 10, a 1.5 year old baby girl was reportedly raped by her maternal uncle, when he took her away for a tour, in Kadambari union of Rajoir upazila. The baby's family discovered wounds in her genitalia when the accused Hridoy Bhakt, 21, brought her back. Members of RAB-8 arrested the suspect after a case was filed with Rajoir police station in connection with the incident.
On September 8, a 10-year-old girl was abducted to a rooftop in Madaripur municipality, and was raped by a local named Rony, 20. The severely injured girl received treatment at Madaripur Sadar Hospital after the incident, and a case was filed.
On September 6, a 13-year-old girl was raped after she was sedated, as she accepted a glass of soft drink from the rapist in Sadar upazila. The accused Ashraf Matubbor, fled after the incident.
In July and August, one teenager was reportedly gang raped among the 8 children who were raped.
