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Sex workers under attack
FROM PAGE 3
sex worker. He then attacked a girl so severely that she fell to his feet, pleading that she would “no longer do this job” and begged him to let her go.
At one point, he even snatched her mobile phone.
The video was widely shared on social media and even garnered some support from people. However, many condemned the incident, calling it a gross violation of human rights.
On the same day, Shaila, another field worker, was beaten by some unknown youths in the Sangsad Bhaban area.
Rina Akter, president of Kalyanmoyi Nari Sangha, which supports 350 floating sex workers in the capital, said attacks on sex workers have surged since the fall of the last government.
“Our girls are no longer safe on the streets. They are inhumanely attacked, mugged, and even handed over to BGB members,” Rina said.
“This is happening not just in Shyamoli but across the city, including Jatrabari, Dholaipar, Sadarghat, Kamalapur, Press Club, and Gulistan. Many now face starvation because they can’t go out to work.”
Aleya Begum Lily, president of the Sex Workers Network Bangladesh, said, “The day the government resigned, there were incidents of attack and looting in at least 15 houses at the Daulatdia brothel. Now, in Dhaka, floating sex workers are being attacked daily,” she said.
“In areas like Sangsad Bhaban, Shyamoli, Zia Uddyan, Jatrabari, and Mazar Road, girls can’t even stand without being beaten and having their phones taken by youths,” she added.
“In Shyamoli, they were even filmed, and the videos were spread on Facebook. These women work discreetly to support their families, keeping their profession hidden due to the stigma. Now, their privacy has been violated, and their human rights have been trampled,” she added.
“Many of them are injured, and if they can’t work for a day, they go hungry,” she said.
“We’ve been trying to reach the coordinators of the student movement through women leaders, who have agreed to speak with the victims. We planned to form a human chain in front of the Press Club, but now we fear being attacked ourselves,” Lily added.
Women leaders have condemned the attack as a severe violation of human rights and urged the interim government to address it.
Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir described the attacks as illegal and unconstitutional, calling for immediate action from the government to restore law and order.
“This is a dangerous situation. This is unchecked mob violence where individuals take the law into their own hands without regard for established systems or human rights,” she said.
“Such actions pose a serious concern. We expect grievances to be addressed through our courts and legal systems.”
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Fauzia Moslem said sex workers are among the most marginalised communities in the country and they often enter this profession after facing significant deprivation.
“While the debate on whether this profession should exist is a separate issue, it is important to recognise that, as citizens of the country, sex workers are entitled to protection, which the state must ensure,” she added.
Shahnaz Shumi, deputy director of Nari Pragati Sangha, said, “We call for improvements in the law and order situation, an end to chaos, fear, and terror, and the end of brutality. The perpetrator should be brought to justice to deter others from committing similar acts.”
Contacted, Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin Murshid said, “I became aware of this issue on Sunday and have informed the administration to halt these attacks immediately.”
“Most importantly, this is an act of anarchy and a criminal offence. I will bring this matter to the attention of our advisers and work on developing relevant policies.”
(All the victims’ names used in this report were changed to protect their identities)

Hasina sued in five
FROM PAGE 5
After recording the statement, the magistrate directed the PBI to investigate the complaint and submit a report.
MORE CASES AGAINST AL LEADERS
Former minister Amir Hossain Amu, former lawmaker Shahjahan Omar, who joined AL after leaving BNP before January 7 polls, and 60 others have been sued on charge of attacking students during protests on August 4 in Jhalakathi town.
Bittoy Kumar Sarkar alias Keshob Sarkar, vice-president of Jhalakathi district unit Chattra Dal, filed the case.
In Tangail, a case has been filed against 34 leaders and activists of district AL men over the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad members at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University.
Md Shakiluzzaman, its central office secretary, filed the case with Tangail Sadar Police Station yesterday.
In Chattogram, CNG-run autorickshaw driver Md Anwar Hossain sued former ministers Hasan Mahmud, Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, and 300 others yesterday for injuring him by opening fire on August 5 in the city’s Double Mooring area.
In Thakurgaon, former water resources minister Ramesh Sen, former lawmaker Mazharul Islam Sujan, and 89 others were accused in a case filed over the death of a youth in a gas cylinder explosion at a house in Thakurgaon municipality on August 5.
In Pirojpur, 45 AL men, including former lawmakers AKMA Awal and SM Rezaul Karim, have been sued for vandalising BNP office. A local BNP member filed the case.
In Narayanganj, former DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam has been sued by a local BNP leader over making defamatory remark against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.