Village arbitrators shave couple's head

Village arbitrators shaved the couple's heads. Then they were made to walk around the village wearing garlands of shoes. Yet it wasn't enough and so they were fined Tk 40,000 and if they fail to pay the fine today, they will be driven out of Hatilet Dublakhola village of Phulbaria upazila.

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One of the victims, Laxmi Rani Cooch said she and her husband Koyes Cooch had long relations with Elim Mia, 45, a father of five children, from the same locality, only 100 kilometres off the capital. But a few neighbours suspected her of having an illicit relationship with Elim Mia.

So, they took the onus on themselves to punish the 35-year-old and her husband, from a small ethnic group, on Wednesday evening. 

Kalimohan Barman, a grocer, and Naren Barman, who runs a tea stall, led the crazy mob. Chandan Barman, Bimol Barman, Rupchand Barman and Poresh Barman joined to watch the show in Rangamatia union.

Chandan's wife Bobita, his sister Aarati, Naren's wife Birola and one Primila, all neighbours of Koyes and Laxmi, came to their house and dragged them out to a courtyard to face the arbitration, Laxmi said.

“My elder daughter Bristi, who studies in class-III, started crying and pleading with them to leave us. But they didn't listen.”

Those enthusiasts even slapped and punched Laxmi when she was holding a wailing Bristi against her chest.

The allegation against Lazmi was baseless, said Sekandar Akanda, member of Hatilet ward.

Before shaving the heads of the couple, who are day labourers, the arbitrators beat them up with shoes in front of hundreds of villagers, he said quoting locals.

“The perpetrators did not inform us [local representative]. I was informed of the matter by local people on Friday morning. Then I visited the spot,” Sekandar said.

Laxmi yesterday filed a case against 16 people including 12 named with Phulbaria Police Station.

Police have visited the spot, said Rifat Khan Rajib, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Drives are on to arrest the people responsible for the incident, the OC said, adding that they fled the area after the matter spread.

While talking to The Daily Star, Koyes and Laxmi, mother of two girls, said they wanted exemplary punishment for those involved in the crime.