Robbery and gang rape in Cox’s Bazar: Womanand her daughter among victims

Cox’s Bazar । Bay Insight

A horrifying incident of armed robbery followed by gang rape has taken place in the newly formed Matamuhuri Upazila, where a mother and her teenage daughter were sexually assaulted after criminals looted gold ornaments and cash from their home.
Police have confirmed that both victims are currently receiving treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

The incident occurred around 2:30am on Tuesday (June 9) in the Dolnighona area of Sikdarpara, under East Borobheola Union of the upazila.

Police have so far arrested six individuals in connection with the case.
The arrestees are: Rezaul Karim (36), Tofazzal Hossain alias Babu (23) and his brother Kefayat Hossain alias Puittya (27), Mohammad Tanzid (24) — all from the Dolunighona area of Matamuhuri Upazila — Mehedi Hasan (24) from the Kaddachara area of Saharbil Union, and Mohammad Tareq (26) from the Koralkhali area.

Quoting members of the victims’ family, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Chakaria Circle) Abhijit Das said that a gang of eight to 10 armed criminals cut through the window grille of the house and forced their way inside. They looted cash, gold jewellery and other valuables before gang-raping the expatriate worker’s wife, aged 40, and her daughter, aged 15, and then fleeing the scene. A five-year-old child of the woman was also present in the house during the attack.
The husband of the woman lives in Chattogram for business purposes.

The critically injured mother and daughter were first taken to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex. As their condition deteriorated, they were transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced medical care.

After inspecting the scene, the ASP confirmed that an organised local criminal network was responsible for the attack. Family sources claim the same group had targeted this family on multiple previous occasions.

One of those involved in the attack had been arrested by police just days earlier carrying weapons and was already a defendant in robbery and arms cases. That individual, identified as Jisan, had been released from jail only five days before the attack. Several members of the gang are described by police as hardened repeat offenders.

Following the incident, local residents and law enforcement jointly cordoned off the entire area. The six arrests were made during an operation conducted from dawn through the morning on Tuesday.

The uncle of the teenage victim told journalists that his sister and his tenth-grade niece had been subjected to brutal assault by the local criminal gang. The niece’s condition remains critical — doctors are keeping her under intensive care due to severe blood loss.

He further said that this criminal group had attacked their family two to three times previously, and that several members — including Jisan and his brother — are among the most dangerous and notorious offenders in the area.

Contacted, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital’s Residential Medical Officer (RMO) Dr. Subaktabin Sohel said the mother and daughter were admitted to One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) of the hospital.

After completing necessary diagnosis and treatment, they were discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. The physical condition of the girl was stable, he said.