A fresh allegation of an attempted rape involving a child has emerged in Pabna, only weeks after the rape and killing of 10-year-old schoolgirl Kamrunnahar Kali triggered widespread anger in the district. Police have detained a 40-year-old man in connection with the latest allegation.
The incident reportedly took place at around 4.30pm on Saturday (26 September). The man detained by police has been identified as Saiful Islam, 40.
According to police and local residents, Saiful allegedly called the child to a location in the area before attempting to rape her. Local people reportedly became aware of what was happening and moved towards the spot. Saiful then fled, according to those familiar with the incident.
Tension subsequently spread through the neighbourhood. Angry residents reportedly attacked Saiful’s home and tea stall, damaging property before setting fire to the tea stall. Police were informed and moved to the area to bring the situation under control.
Majibar Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ataikula Police Station, said local residents had informed police that the child had been called by Saiful and that an attempt had allegedly been made to rape her. Officers went to the scene after receiving the information.
By the time police arrived, local residents had already vandalised Saiful’s home and tea stall and set the shop on fire, the officer said. The situation has since returned to normal, while police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain order.
Rahman said Saiful was detained following the incident. The child’s father was preparing to submit a written complaint, after which legal proceedings against the accused would be pursued in accordance with the law.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of another serious case involving a child in Pabna earlier this month. On 9 September, Kamrunnahar Kali, a 10-year-old third-grade pupil from Kulnia village in Dogachhi Union of Pabna Sadar upazila, was allegedly raped and killed by a grocery shopkeeper named Mostofa.
Her body was recovered from a pond beside her home on 16 September, several days after the reported incident. Police subsequently arrested Mostofa and his tenant, Yasin, in connection with the case.
The earlier case generated strong anger among local residents. In the days that followed the arrests, groups of protesters reportedly vandalised Mostofa’s two-storey building on several occasions.
The new allegation has added to concerns among residents about the safety of children in the area. Details of the latest incident, however, remain subject to the formal investigation and the written complaint expected from the child’s family.
Police are also dealing with the separate issue of attacks on the accused’s property. While anger over allegations of serious offences can lead to public unrest, damage to property and arson can create additional law-and-order concerns. Authorities have therefore kept police deployed at the scene as the legal process moves forward.
The two recent cases have occurred within a short period in the same district, placing renewed attention on the protection of children and the need for allegations of sexual violence to be dealt with through due legal process.
