The Hindu housewife from Amtali in Barguna, who was subjected to gang rape in two separate incidents, has returned home. She returned on Saturday afternoon after the district administration and police assured her family of security. Later, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station, and leaders of the district and upazila Puja Celebration Council visited her home. They told journalists that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the family’s security.

The woman was first raped on the afternoon of October 23 at her home in a village in the Haldia Union of the upazila. Two local perpetrators assaulted her at that time. In a similar manner, she was again subjected to torture on October 29. During the second incident, another individual filmed the assault on a mobile phone and later threatened to circulate the video online.

A report titled “Housewife Victimized Twice Now Driven Away from Her Village” was published in the newspaper Samakal on Friday, which sparked widespread reactions across the country. The victim filed a case on November 1 with the Amtali Police Station against three people from the same village: Saiful Islam Howlader (25), Md. Imran Howlader (30), and Imran’s brother Imraj Howlader. That same night, police arrested Imran, the second accused, and the victim underwent a medical examination. On Tuesday night, police also arrested the third accused, Imraj, from Chattogram. However, on Wednesday, Imran was released on bail from the Amtali court and began threatening the victim to withdraw the case.

As a result of the threats, the woman, along with her husband and two sons, took shelter in a relative’s house as they were afraid to return home.

On Saturday afternoon, UNO Md. Rokonuazzaman Khan, Amtali Police Station OC Dewan Jaglul Hasan, Barguna District Puja Celebration Council Convener Advocate Sushanta Kumar Bepari, Upazila Committee President Advocate Harihar Chandra Das, and General Secretary Jagadish Chandra Basu visited the victim’s home and spoke to the family members and villagers.

UNO Md. Rokonuazzaman Khan said he, along with the OC, visited the victim’s home on Saturday afternoon and spoke to the family and locals. He stated that all security measures have now been arranged for the family.

Amtali Police OC Dewan Jaglul Hasan said, according to the Police Superintendent’s instructions, constant police surveillance has been deployed to ensure the family’s safety.

Barguna Police Superintendent Md. Al Mamun Sikder also said that security for the victim’s family has been strengthened by the police.