Extortionists, stalkers push crime graph in Bangladesh

DHAKA - Extortion and stalking have pushed up the crime graph in Bangladesh, media reports said as a Kali temple here was vandalised in dispute over extortion money.

The historic Ramna Kali temple in the heart of the national capital was vandalised early Sunday by students of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), a ruling party front, as a sequel to a dispute over extortion money.

New Age newspaper Tuesday said in an editorial that the BCL had been in news “for the wrong reasons” because its activists engage in money deals and get protection from the government agencies.

In an example of stalking cited by the media, a 13-year-old girl hanged herself on being forced into a marriage and confined by a youth in Sirajganj in central Bangladesh.

Rupali Rani was kidnapped by Sushil Shil, 18, who forcibly put the vermillion powder on her head to mark a Hindu marriage. He locked her up when she protested. When police opened the door, she was found hanging.

The incident came six days after Champa Rani Bhowmik was fatally run over by two bike riding stalkers of her daughters in Faridpur.

The judicial magistrate’s court in Faridpur Monday granted three days’ police remand for stalker Debashish Saha Rony, who absconded after the incident.

The Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association filed a public interest writ petition with the Dhaka High Court Monday, seeking direction to the government to formulate a policy and guidelines for protection of women and girls from stalking.

Petitioner Fahima Nasrin said: “Under the existing law, the highest punishment for stalking is three-year imprisonment, which seems inadequate as a deterrent in the face of increasing instances of the crime.”

Ruling Awami League members have been accused of snatching examination papers and tender forms from authorities.

Main opposition Bangladsh Nationalist Party secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain attributed this to leninecy shown by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

On Oct 24, Mizanur Rahman, a college teacher was stabbed for objecting to youths misbehaving with girl students on the campus.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid Monday visited the residence of the murdered teacher.

He has promised stringent law to curb stalking of women.