Assault on Santal woman: Accused UP chairman expelled from BNP

Sun Jan 5, 2025 06:03 PM

Rajahar Union Parishad Chairman Rafiqul Islam, who allegedly assaulted a Santal woman and set fire to her house, has been expelled from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

“He has been expelled from all positions for anti-organisational activities. The party has issued a notice in this regard,” Mahmudun Nabi Titul, general secretary of the party’s Gaibandha district unit, told The Daily Star, without providing more details.

According to police and locals, the incident occurred on Friday over a land dispute between the Santals and the UP chairman.

Bulbul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gobindaganj Police Station, told The Daily Star yesterday that he had heard of an incident in which a Santal woman, Filimona Hasda, 55, was slapped by the chairman over a land dispute.

But no one saw who set the house on fire at night, he added.

Following the assault, Filimona was admitted to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for treatment. She was discharged yesterday, said Sub-Inspector Krishna, in-charge of the police camp at the hospital.

Filimona’s son, Julius Soren, 35, filed a case over the incident yesterday, naming six persons, including Rafiqul and his brother Mezbahul Islam. An investigation is underway, added OC Bulbul.