Dinajpur’s ostracised housewife flees village after ‘threat from rapists’

A woman from Dinajpur’s Chirirbandar, whose family was ostracised on allegations of her appearing in a pornographic video and ‘raped’ for seeking justice against it, has now been ‘forced’ to flee home ‘fearing for her life’.

Rehena Begum returned home on Monday afternoon following treatment at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital after being ‘gang-raped’ last week. 

On her return, she was allegedly threatened with death if she did not withdraw the case.

Begum fled her home at night and took refuge in a relative’s home in Dinajpur town. She went to Dinajpur Press Club and told journalists of her predicament.

“Law-keepers did not give me justice. I did not get any justice. I want to live. I ask you to give me a fair trial.”

She also called for the prime minister’s intervention to ensure justice for her.

Allegations of police inaction over Begum and her family being ostracised for six months and the physical torture she was subjected to surfaced in the media towards the end of July.

Begum, the wife of Hussein Ali of Galtair Kajaldanga village of Auliapukur Union, alleged that two locals, Rakibul Islam and Manjurul Islam, came to her on Dec 29 and claimed she was seen in a pornographic video.

They also allegedly gave her an indecent proposal and threatened to publicise the video if she did not oblige.   

Begum protested the matter and the clip was circulated in the locality. On Jan 3, she and her family was ostracised for six months through village arbitration. On July 10, she and her father Enamul Haque were taken to the residence of Abu Bakar Siddique, chief of the village arbitrators, and beaten up. Police were alleged to have visited the spot but took no action.

Haque filed a case on July 24 accusing nine over the incident after journalists found out about the incident. 

At a press conference in the end of August, Begum accused Chirirbandar police OC Anisur Rahman of taking bribe and making changes to the case details.

On Aug 25, she was allegedly dragged by a gang of local men to the bushes when she was returning from a neighbour’s house around 9pm.

Saidul Master, Monjurul Islam, Rakibul Islam and another man she did not know took turns in violating her after binding and gagging her, Begum claimed at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital where she was being treated. 

“There is evidence of Rehena’s sexual injuries,” Dr Faisal Alam told bdnews24.com

The first three she named stand accused in the case for abusing her and her family.

“They (rapists) made me sign on a blank sheet and threatened to kill me if I go to the police again and carry on with the case.” 

The men then dumped her in front of her home, she said.

“Family members rushed me to the Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.”

In the briefing on Monday night, Begum said an unknown man entered her home when she returned from the hospital and threatened her with a knife. Her family members saved her when she screamed.

Begum claimed she had fled to the town after Chirirbandar police OC ‘did not’ take any steps. 

“I called the OC immediately. But he picked up the phone and said they did not kill you. You are still alive.

“But I am already dead. How else can I live? He is not ensuring justice for me. He is saying he will take steps once it happens.” 

She continued that she was feeling insecure as the accused had hired goons to kill her.

But the OC denied the allegations claiming he was not informed about the threat and claimed they were yet to nab anyone involved in the reported rape.