Police arrest former Shibir leader over assault on women in Lakshmipur

Police have arrested Aftab Uddin Bhuiyan after a video showing him pulling women by their hair and beating them went viral on social media. The video, which surfaced on Saturday, April 11, shows a middle-aged man assaulting several women as they scream and plead for mercy.

Police launched an operation after the incident came to light and arrested Aftab Uddin on the same day. He was later sent to jail through court in the evening.

The arrested individual, Aftab Uddin Bhuiyan, is a resident of Shahapur village in ward 1 of the municipality. He is the son of late Siddique Ullar. Local sources said he was once the ward president of Islami Chhatra Shibir and recently announced his candidacy for mayor of Lakshmipur municipality.

According to police and locals, on April 9, Aftab along with several associates attacked the house of Ismail Hossain in Shahapur village over a land dispute. During the attack, female members of Ismail's family were assaulted, leaving several injured. They received treatment at the district hospital.

The victim, Ismail Hossain, has filed a case over the assault and harassment of women, naming Aftab Uddin and six others as accused. Police operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.

Lakshmipur Sadar Model Police Station OC Md Wahid Parvez said police promptly investigated the matter after the video went viral and arrested the main accused.

Local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders said that while Aftab Uddin was once associated with Shibir, he is not currently active in politics. Poura Jamaat Ameer Abul Farah Nisan said the incident shown in the video is highly unfortunate and such behaviour is completely unacceptable.