The Subarnachar gang-rape survivor has urged the government to provide security for her and her family as her eldest daughter's life was threatened when they attended a court hearing recently.
She said this while addressing a day-long symbolic hunger strike, which began on Central Shaheed Minar premises around 10am on Monday.
The rape survivor, who was gang-raped by a group of miscreants allegedly led by Awami League's Subarnachar unit former publicity secretary Ruhul Amin, burst into tears while giving an account of the incident.
She said: “Although the culprits are in jail, they are still threatening me and my family members. They tried to kill my eldest daughter a few days ago while we went to attend a court hearing.”
“I was assured by government authorities that I would be provided with a piece of land along with a house to live, but I have yet to get those. So far, no one [from the government] has contacted me to know my circumstances except these rights organizations,” she added.
Therefore, she demanded justice and also urged the government for the security of her family.
A day-long symbolic hunger strike is being held on Central Shaheed Minar premises, demanding justice for rapes and sexual harassment victims. The hunger strike will continue till 5pm.
The program was organized by women's rights organization "We Can," as well as several other rights organizations.
Rape, sexual harassment victims, and the family members of victims, who were killed after rape, are taking part in the strike.
A statistical report on rape and harassment prepared by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and Manusher Jonno Foundation was also presented during the program.
The report was prepared by these organizations using information derived from media reports of nine national daily newspapers -- Prothom Alo, The Daily Ittefaq, Samakal, The Sangbad, the Daily Janakantha, Daily Nayadiganta, the Daily Star, New Age and Dhaka Tribune.
A memorandum, which will include this report, will be addressed to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with their nine point demands after their protest program ends.
According to the report, at least 1,253 women were raped in the first ten months of 2019 across Bangladesh. Besides, 62 others were murdered after being raped during this time period.
The report stated that 10 more victims committed suicide after they were raped in this time span, adding that some 767 children were also raped during this time-frame.
On January 1, a mother of four was forcibly dragged from her house in the Modhya Bagya village under Subarnachar's Charjubili union and gang raped, allegedly by 10-15 local Awami League activists.
Her husband, who later filed the case at Char Jabbar police station, alleged the group of miscreants, wielding firearms was led by the ruling party's upazila unit Publicity Secretary Ruhul Amin, who was later expelled by Awami League.
On September 19, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal 2 Judge Shamsuddin Khaled framed charges against 16 people in the case, after police submitted charge sheet to the court, accusing the 16 of them.
The news of the gang rape shocked the country, sparked protests in Dhaka and elsewhere, and drew condemnation on social media.
