Bigots in Bagerhat confine outlet staff for not wearing burqas

Four employees of Dhaka-based handicrafts outlet Jatra managed to leave a Bagerhat village after being allegedly confined to a local bazar by some 300 villagers led by "some religious bigots" demanding that they do so if the two female staff did not wear burqas.

The four were among 15 staff working in groups since mid-February sharing knowledge on handicrafts to empower women of Jaimoni, Jatra owner Anusheh Anadil told journalists at cultural organisation Sadhona's office in the capital's Banani yesterday.

Some women helped the four leave yesterday around 3:00am after being confined around 7:00pm the day before, she added. The Daily Star could not independently verify the claim.

Mongla Police Station Officer-in-Charge Belayet Hossain stated of having no knowledge.

The staff were living in a rented house owned by one Malek Member, said Anusheh.

Over the last two to three weeks, "some religious bigots" had been unhappy over the village's women coming out of homes and dreaming of being independent, she added.