15 injured in attack for protesting stalking

At least 15 people, including women, were injured and three cobblers' houses were set on fire on Saturday for protesting against stalking of girls at Durbadanga under Monirampur upazila of Jessore district.

The victims lodged a case with Monirampur Police Station yesterday, accusing 15 named and 15 unnamed people for the attack.

The police arrested three of the accused after filing of the case, said Shafin Mahmud, assistant superintendent of police, Jessore.

The main accused Abu Sayeed, convener of Durbadanga union unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, is still at large, locals and police said.

Local lawmaker Swapan Bhattachariya, Deputy Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir, and Superintendent of Police, Jessore, Anisur Rahman, visited the spot yesterday and assured the victims that they would take stern action against the culprits.

Gobinda Das, a resident of the area, said armed criminals led by BCL leader Abu Sayeed and Ibrahim attacked the cobblers as they protested stalking of three SSC examinees. "The miscreants set my house and those of Mukunda Das and Nilpada Das on fire," he added.