Stalking makes Sylhet girl quit school

"I want to go to school and lead a secure life, but I am worried about being stalked, kidnapped and killed," said Poly Roy, a ninth-grader of Kishori Mohan Girls' School in Sylhet city, whose dream is to complete higher study and get a job, thus supporting her middle-income household.

But stalking and harassment on her way to school is gnawing away at her dream, making her feel hopeless and frustrated.

"We used to live at Mirabazar in the city. One day I came to know that I was being stalked by Sumon Das, a worker of Sunbest Furniture shop in the area. After a few days, he began teasing me on roads and proposed to me.  When I informed my uncle of the incident, he discussed it with the shop's owner," said Poly.

Later, her family shifted to Majortila area considering Sumon would no longer disturb her.

But she is still trapped in nightmare with things staying the same and the stalker becoming even more ferocious.

"On October 15 last year, Sumon attempted to kidnap me with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw, but I could luckily escape with the help of some friends who thwarted the attempt. My father, Biswajit Roy, filed a general diary (GD) with Kotwali Police Station the same day, following the incident," said Poly, adding that she quit school since police were yet to take any action against the stalker.

On March 16 this year, her uncle, Biplob Bikol Roy, went to Mirabazar to resolve the issue, where an altercation ensued between him and Sumon and his friend Jamshed over the matter, and at one stage the latter stabbed Biplob, who later died at a city hospital, said Biplob's family.

Two of Biplop's friends, who were with him at that time, were also injured in the incident.

Though a case was filed with the police station, accusing some 11 persons including Sumon and Jamshed of the killing, police did not take any action regarding it, alleged the family, adding that Jamshed was a local Jubo League activist and brother of Jabed Siraj, Awami League secretary of ward-19.

Contacted, Alam Khan Mukti, convenor of Sylhet city unit of Jubo League, said Jamshed did not hold any post but was involved with the organisation, adding that he should get punished if involved in the murder.

However, Sohel Ahmed, officer-in-charge of the police station, said the murder occurred over a clash between two local groups.

"Because most of the killers are still at large, Sukla Roy, who married Biplob just 15 days before he was murdered, left her in-laws' house due to the insecurity and fear of being kidnapped," said Bishwajit.

Asked about the GD filed for security, the OC said he was not aware of it.

Denying the allegations of police indifference, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Rahmat Ullah said, "We are routinely monitoring Poly and her family's safety. She should feel safe to go to school and lead a secure life." But the ADC declined to explain what measures they were taking to monitor safety and security.

Sub-inspector Md Ebadullah, also investigation officer of the case, said they arrested Sumon in Moulvibazar's  Barlekha on March 20, while he was trying to flee across the border.