Rape incident a source of income!

Whenever a rape incident takes place, the local influentials prevail upon the victim's family and convince them to seek arbitration without going to police or court.

The result is an increase in such incidents. The victims' families, mostly poor, are socially compelled to accept what the influentials say.

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Arbitration meetings fix a fine for the rapist. Part of it is given to the victim's family and the lion share is taken by arbitrators, it is alleged.

According to a survey conducted by local journalists, five rape incidents were reported from the area in the last week of May. Many remained unreported.

Soon after any such incident takes place, a 'negotiator group' becomes active and arrange arbitration.

On May 23, an 18 year-old girl (her name not disclosed) was plucking jute leaf at Dhutichora village. One Sada Mia dragged her deep inside the field and rapped her.

The rapist managed some local influentials. They fined Sadas Mia Tk 8,000 at an arbitration. The victim's family was given a part of it and the rest was taken away by the arbitrators, some villagers claimed while talking to this correspondent.

Angur Mia of Charpara village had raped a 20 year-old woman on May 25. He was cleared of charges after he paid Tk 10,000 to the arbitrators.

On the same day, Alifuddin was caught and beaten at Kamolar Bazar village for violating a 14 year-old girl. He is now moving freely after paying a handsome amount to local inflentials following an abitration.

On May 27, a 16 year-old girl of the same village was going to her relative's house just after evening. On way, Rasidul, Shafiqul, Belal and Khushi dragged her to a nearby bambo grove and gangraped her.

The victim complained to the Union Parishad member. The matter was settled with fine.

Some victim's families this correspondent talked to said it is difficult to stay in village ignoring the decision of influentials or Union Parishad members.

Gideri UP Chairman Anisur Rahman when contacted said rape incidents increased in the area in recent days. Arbitration is arranged because most of the victims are from poor families who can not afford to bear the cost of trial in a court. Moreover, in most cases, they want to avoid alleged police hassle, he claimed.