Locals demand arrest of accused in 15 days

Villagers of the areas surrounding Barapukuia Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL) staged demonstration and held a rally yesterday at the mine site demanding arrest of two employees of the company for their alleged attempt to rape a woman.

They also threatened to go for a tougher agitation programme if the accused were not arrested within the next 15 days.

The incident happened on the night of August 14 at the BCMCL workers' union office.

The woman's brother filed a case with Parbatipur Police Station on August 23, accusing Abul Kashem Shikdar, CBA president of BCMCL and vice-president of CBA Petrobangla unit, and Azgar Ali, plumber (mechanical) of the coalmine.

 Protesting the incident, people from Sahagram, Chowhati, Serpur, Mojidpur and Durgapur, gathered in front of the coal mine at around 11:30am and then brought out a procession.

They also held a rally in front of the mine gate where they alleged that Kashem and Azgar Ali called the woman to his office on August 14 to talk about providing a job for her brother.  

"When my sister went there, they (Kashem and Azgar) confined her to a room and attempted to rape her," alleged her brother.

At the rally, the speakers also alleged that Kashem took money from many people assuring them of jobs at the mine.

A BCMCL official, seeking anonymity, said the company has nothing to do unless Kashem and Azgar are convicted by a court.

Contacted, the accused Abdul Kashem and Azgar said they were innocent.

Official sources said Abdul Kashem Shikdar is now in Dhaka while Azgar Ali is on leave.

Mahmudul Alam, OC of Parbatipur Police Station, said the investigation is going on.