4 including woman, children 'assaulted' by ferry ticket sellers at Shimulia

Four members of a family, including a woman and children, were allegedly assaulted by ticket sellers of a ferry at Shimulia terminal in Munshiganj today.

The woman said she along with her brother and two children were heading to Shariatpur from Dhaka, reports our Munishganj correspondent.

After reaching Shimulia terminal, they tried to board a ferry without buying tickets from counters.

At that time, a ticket seller, who is designated to check whether anyone is traveling without ticket, challenged the family and asked them to buy tickets from him.

The family members thought that the ticket seller was a fraud. That is why, they did not agree to buy ticket from him.

This triggered altercation between both parties. At one stage, the ticket seller along with some of his associates physically assaulted the family members, said the victims and witnesses.

However, ticket seller Shamsul Haque denied the allegations and said they were trying to travel without ticket. When Shamsul protested, the male member of the family tried to kick him and the woman hurled abusive words.

Some eye witnesses said traffic police were standing nearby, but did not come to protect the victims.

Contacted, Sirajul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mawa River Police, denied the allegation and said police intervened when altercation was going on and requested both the parties to calm down.

Legal action would be taken, if anyone filed written complaints, he added.