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Jessore Gang Rape

Cop role comes into question

OC closed for 'irresponsible, racist' comments

Staff Correspondent
Lapses on the part of Monirampur police have raised concern whether the Rishipara gang-rape victims will get justice.
Two housewives of Hindu Rishi community living at a corner ofHazrail village in Monirampur upazila of Jessore were gang-raped around 1:30am on January 8.
This was to "punish” the community for voting in January 5 polls, according to confessional statements of two detained suspects.
Locals and victim families alleged police came to know about the incident on January 8 morning but took no action.
No case was filed until journalists got the victims' version of the incident and contacted the law enforcers.
On January 10, law enforcers brought the victims to Monirampur Police Station and recorded a rape case under Prevention of Repression on Women and Children Act 2000 section 9 (i).
Though one of the victims mentioned in her statement to the police that she was gang-raped, the case was not filed under the section 9 (iii) which is the clause for gang rape.
Police also sent the victims for medical tests to Jessore General Medical College and Hospital after 79 hours.
It is not possible to find symptoms of rape after 24 hours if the victim is married, according to Yakub Ali Mollah, superintendent of the hospital.
Contacted, Rabiul Hossain, investigating officer of the case, said, "We came to know about the incident in the evening on January 9.” But a number of villagers seeking anonymity said police were informed about the matter in the morning on January 8 and a team of Monirampur police did come to the spot twice on the day - in the afternoon and evening.
Meanwhile, Mir Rezaul Hossain, officer-in-charge of Monirampur Police Station, has been closed for making irresponsible comments to the media. Mizanur Rahman took over as the OC yesterday.
When a group of journalists went to meet Rezaul on January 14, he said the women made it up as a political quarter might have offered them money or aid.
The Daily Star has got an audio clip of the remarks.
"They | Rishi community people] make a mountain out of a molehill. They lie a lot," said the officer.
"The question is whether the rape had taken place at all. Does a husband lie with his wife the next day she was raped?"
He said even if the rape had taken place it's no big deal for them. "The Rishi community people do not take such an incident very seriously. They often do it by
mutual consent."
Contacted yesterday, Rezaul Hossain said his statement has been taken out of context by the media.
Joydev Bhodro, Jessore superintendent of police, told The Daily Staryesterday that a three-member probe committee led by an ASP has been formed to investigate the allegations against Rezaul.
"He has been closed for making irresponsible and racist comments regarding a community and a sensitive case which is under investigation." Asked about police negligence, the SP said he had been aware of the allegation and he would look into it.
Also yesterday, Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP), an organisation working for low-caste Hindus, formed a human chain in Jessore town demanding punishment of Rezaul.
In 2010, then officer-in-charge of Kashabpur Police Station, Rezaul Hossain abetted a group of land grabbers in a bid to evict some Rishi families, said leaders of BDP and Parittran, an NGO for dalit rights.
However, the attempt was foiled following a movement by pro-dalit organisations, they toldThe Daily Star.