'Sexual Harassment' in Dinajpur: Protesters now facing case

Four people, who led a protest in Dinajpur over the alleged sexual harassment of a female cricketer by her coach, are now facing a case over misbehaving with the district's deputy commissioner.

Aftabuzzaman-Al-Imran, assistant commissioner (secret) at the DC office, filed the case with Dinajpur Sadar police Station on Thursday night.

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The accused are Abul Kalam Azad, convener of Dinajpur Nari Nirjaton Protirodh Sammilita Jote, its Member Secretary Nurul Matin Saikat and members Shahidul Islam and Marufa Begum.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused along with 25/30 others under the banner of “Dinajpur Nari Nirjaton Protirodh Sammilita Jote” went to the DC office on July 5 to submit a memorandum to DC Mir Khairul Alam demanding the administration take action against Abu Samad Mithu.

Mithu is a cricket coach appointed by Bangladesh Cricket Board and also a member of Dinajpur District Sports Association (DSA). The DC is the president of the DSA.

While talking to Khairul, Azad allegedly thumped the office table and threatened that he would show the DC, read the FIR.

Talking to The Daily Star, Azad yesterday said the FIR contained lies. “Many eminent locals had gathered at the DC office to submit the memorandum.”

Azad is the convener of the Dinajpur Sector Commanders' Forum, a platform of Liberation War veterans.

Kaniz Rahman, president of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad's Dinajpur chapter, said they were staging protests demanding the DC take action against the coach for “making an advance on the 15-year-old girl” at Dinajpur Sports Village on June 1.

“Without taking heed of the demand, the DC filed the case against those who are behind the agitation.”

She said accused Marufa is the secretary of her unit.

“The DC is pushing things towards confrontation,” said Rezaur Rahman Rezu, vice president of Udichi Shilpi Gosthi's central unit, who was present at the DC office on July 5.

DC Khairul said he already suspended Mithu from the sports association. A committee has also been formed to probe the allegation against the coach, he added.

The 30-year-old reportedly harassed the girl after she injured her left leg during a practice session.

Her father filed a complaint with the DC on June 14, urging him to take action against the accused.

“It's unfortunate that the DC is not solving the problem. He is rather treating us as criminals,” he lamented.