Cops rescue shackled 14-yr-old in N'ganj

A 14-year-old worker was tortured and kept in shackles for almost two weeks inside a factory in Narayanganj and was forced to work by his employer.

On February 22, police arrested Akhter Hossain, owner of a Jamdani factory at Dakkhin Rupasi, in Rupganj and rescued Ansarul Islam, hailing from Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat.

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Ansarul has been working for Akhter for a couple of years. He wanted to quit his job since Akhter did not pay his last few months salary. When he approached his employer, much to his surprise, Akhter demanded Tk 50,000 from him before letting him leave. On February 9, Akhter shackled his legs and made him work in the factory, said ABM Mehedi Hossain, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Rupganj.

"I just asked for my salary as I wanted to go my village. Rather than paying me, he put me in chains and demanded money. He even threatened to kill me," said a relieved Ansarul, who is now undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

"I went to see my brother on February 19," said Anawar Hossain, elder brother of Ansarul, adding, "Akhter pushed me to the ground and started scolding and sought Tk 50,000 from me. He threatened that he would sell Ansarul." To save his brother, Anawar filed a case. Akhter gave a confessional statement in a court yesterday.