The funeral of Bithi Khatun, a housewife in Jashore’s Churamankati, was held amid allegations of physical and mental torture by her husband and in-laws. The victim’s husband and his family members were notably absent from the burial, sparking public outrage and deepening suspicions surrounding her death. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident following claims that the death was a result of domestic abuse.

Bithi reportedly died by hanging herself at her husband’s residence last Friday afternoon. However, her family alleges that she was subjected to relentless abuse by her husband, Liton Hossain, and his family since their marriage three months ago. The victim’s father, Abdul Kuddus, claimed that the abuse intensified after the expatriate husband returned to the country, allegedly instigated by his parents and sister.

Allegations of systemic abuse

According to the victim’s family, the couple married after a brief courtship over mobile phone. Abdul Kuddus stated that Liton had physically assaulted Bithi on the day of the incident, leading to her untimely death. The family maintains that Bithi was either murdered or driven to suicide due to the severe torture she endured within the household.

Local political leaders and community members attended the funeral to express their condolences and demand a thorough investigation into the matter. The absence of the husband and his family at the burial has fueled further speculation regarding their involvement in the incident. Law enforcement agencies are currently working to uncover the truth behind the allegations and determine the exact cause of death.

Police have arrested Yar Muhammad Sumir, a staff member of the Mongla Port Authority, from Habiganj district 14 days after he allegedly raped a five-year-old girl. The suspect, who had been on the run since the incident occurred on October 25, was apprehended following an extensive investigation. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) of Khulna Medical College Hospital after her condition deteriorated following the assault.

The incident took place at the Madhabi residential area of Mongla Port, where the accused allegedly lured the child into his room with the promise of chocolate. Following the assault, the victim was initially rushed to the Mongla Port Hospital before being transferred to the specialized facility in Khulna for advanced medical care.

Administrative action

The accused served as a senior outdoor assistant in the Civil and Hydraulics Department of the Mongla Port Authority. Following the allegations, the port authority suspended him from his duties and cancelled the allotment of his residential flat. Furthermore, the authorities have formed a five-member high-level committee to conduct a thorough internal investigation into the incident.

The victim’s family has demanded a swift judicial process and exemplary punishment for the accused to ensure justice and prevent the recurrence of such heinous crimes.

On Saturday afternoon, police produced the suspect before the court to initiate formal legal proceedings. The victim’s family is now awaiting the submission of the investigation report, emphasizing the need for a speedy trial to hold the perpetrator accountable for his actions.

Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur’s Kaliakair area on Saturday, triggering severe traffic congestion and public suffering following rumours of a colleague’s death. The unrest, which began in the Chandra Palli Bidyut area, forced authorities to shut down several nearby factories as tensions escalated throughout the morning.

The protest stems from a demonstration held on Thursday, where workers clashed with law enforcement while demanding wage increases. During that incident, police fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd, leaving several workers injured. The current agitation erupted after unverified reports circulated claiming that one of the injured workers had succumbed to their injuries.

Impact on commuters

Workers from at least seven to eight factories joined the blockade, bringing traffic to a complete standstill on both sides of the busy highway. Long-distance buses and freight trucks remained trapped for hours, leaving thousands of passengers, including women, children, and the elderly, stranded in the sweltering heat.

Official response

Gazipur Industrial Police, local police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed to the scene to restore order. Authorities are currently engaged in negotiations with the workers to clear the road while investigating the validity of the death claims.

Gazipur Police Superintendent Md. Amjad Hossain said, “We are currently verifying the reports regarding the alleged death of the worker. Our primary focus is to maintain law and order and resolve the situation through dialogue with the protesting workers.”

While the workers’ primary grievances remain focused on wage adjustments, the spread of misinformation has significantly disrupted industrial operations and public life. Officials have urged the workers to remain calm while the administration works to verify the facts and address their legitimate concerns.