Main accused arrested over assaulting girl for ‘obscene’ clothes in Narsingdi
Marzia Akter has been accused of initiating an attack on a woman for wearing 'indecent clothing'
The Rapid Action Battalion on Monday arrested Marzia Akter Shila for an attack on a female student at Narsingdi Railway Station for wearing what the attackers said was "obscene" clothes.
RAB-11 Camp Commander Touhidul Mobin Khan told The Business Standard that they arrested Marzia – the prime accused in a case filed by the railways over the attack – from her aunt's house in Itakhola area in Narsingdi around 3 am on Monday.
According to RAB, Marzia, 55, is a resident of Narsingdi Sadar and a matchmaker by profession. She had been changing her locations frequently since the case was filed.
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The female student expressed satisfaction over the arrest, and said it would help her recover the mental trauma. "None would dare to harass a woman over their dresses and attire next time."
The attack occurred on 18 May and a video of the incident spread on social media the next day.
In the video, a woman and some young men appear to assault the female student, while one of her co-travellers tries to save her. The young woman runs away and takes shelter in the station master's room with the help of others. Another person then closes the gate.
According to witnesses, Marzia first started hurling abusive words at the victim. Then some men joined her and started assaulting the girl. After the victim called at 999, police went to the spot and helped her board a Dhaka-bound train.
The incident sparked mass criticism as many protested at the incident in person and on social media. Civil society members and rights organisations had been pressing the authorities for immediate arrest of the culprits.
On 20 May, another attacker, Ismail Hossain, 30, was arrested near the station. He was produced before a court and was sent to jail. A court later gave police three days to question him in their custody.
