Man Arrested in Sunamganj Over Assault of Disabled Teenager

Police have arrested a 35-year-old man in the Dowarabazar sub-district of Sunamganj on charges of sexually assaulting a mute and deaf teenage girl. The suspect, identified as Akram Ali, was apprehended following a swift response by law enforcement and local residents.

Tarikul Islam Talukdar, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dowarabazar Police Station, confirmed the arrest during an official press briefing on Sunday morning. The suspect is a resident of Tilura Eruakhai village, located within the Laxmipur union, and is the son of the late Irshad Mian.

Incident and Immediate Police Response

According to police reports, the harrowing incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at approximately 5:00 pm in Chanpur village, under the Laxmipur union. The perpetrator allegedly targeted the vulnerable teenager whilst she was vulnerable and isolated. Given her speech and hearing impairments, the victim faced insurmountable barriers in immediately raising an alarm.

When the victim’s family discovered the assault shortly after the incident, the news spread rapidly through the neighbourhood. Appalled by the nature of the crime, local residents mobilised quickly to assist law enforcement. Together with the police, community members managed to track down and detain the suspect before he could flee the area.

“We initiated an immediate operation upon receiving the complaint from the victim’s distressed family. Thanks to the timely co-operation of the local community, we managed to take the accused into custody without delay. Legal proceedings are now underway to ensure justice is served.” — Tarikul Islam Talukdar, OC, Dowarabazar Police Station

Medical Care and Ongoing Legal Action

Following her rescue, the traumatised teenager was immediately taken into police protection. She was subsequently admitted to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital on Sunday morning, where a team of medical professionals is currently conducting necessary clinical examinations and providing essential psychological support. Hospital sources indicate that her condition is being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family is in the process of filing a formal case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Local authorities have already cordoned off the crime scene to gather forensic evidence, and detectives are interviewing potential witnesses to build a robust case for the prosecution.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Sunamganj, with local human rights defenders and social organisations demanding a swift trial. Community leaders have called for heightened protection for vulnerable individuals, particularly disabled women and children, who remain disproportionately exposed to such egregious acts of violence in rural areas. Police security has been temporarily heightened in the Laxmipur union to maintain public order while the investigation continues.