Human chains demand capital punishment to culprit

Different professional bodies and political and socio-cultural organisations formed human chains in Sylhet city and in front Sunamganj Government College yesterday, demanding capital punishment to the culprit who threw acid on a college girl in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj district in the early hours of October 8.

The victim, Sukhi Begum, 17, daughter of Abu Taher of Laxmipur village in the upazila, is now undergoing treatment at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. She was taken to the hospital on Sunday afternoon as her condition deteriorated.

Social workers, journalists, students, teachers, cultural activists and representatives from different non-governmental organisations (NGO) joined the human chain programmes.

Sukhi came under acid attack when she was asleep along with her parents at their house at Laxmipur village at around 1:30am.

Abu Taher, father of the victim, alleged that his neighbour Mohon Miah, 20, son of Salek Miah, had been telling Sukhi, a first year student of Sunamganj Government College, to enter into a relationship with him for the last one year.

"A month ago, Mohon had threatened to harm Sukhi if she did not marry him. He threw acid on Sukhi as she rejected his proposal," Taher alleged.

Following a case filed by victim's brother Monwar Hosain on October 9, police arrested Mohon from the village the same day, said Mostofa Kamal, sub-inspector of Jamalganj Police Station.

Abdus Sattar, principal of Sunamganj Government College, demanded exemplary punishment of the culprit.