Pahela Baishakh sexual assault

After eight long months the police have submitted the final report on the sexual assaults on Pahela Baishakh, offering precious little in terms of catching the culprits. Initially they had denied the entire incident. One wonders what one should attribute to the fact that till date not a single attacker has been arrested – lack of capability or indifference. The question is all the more relevant considering that there were police on duty nearby while the horrible assault on around 20 females, including a minor, was taking place; two of the culprits had been handed over to the police but they were released later for reasons best known to them.

It is also very strange that the police department, after grudgingly acknowledging that these offences did take place, that too after public outrage and release of footage on social media, posted pictures of the alleged sex offenders in the papers with an offer of one lakh taka for information leading to their arrests. Despite such 'evidence' nothing has happened and we are still waiting for justice.

The performance of the police regarding the probe into this matter raises questions about the culprits and their ability to dodge the law after carrying out such perverted acts.

Sexual assaults on women and girls cannot be tolerated in a civilised society. It is the responsibility of law enforcing agencies to remain extra vigilant so that such deplorable incidents do not occur. When unfortunately they do, as on the Pahela Baishakh, they must act promptly to apprehend and arrest the culprits, no matter who they are. The perfunctory treatment of this case will only give license for such barbaric assaults to be repeated.