Four girls from two government primary schools were abducted by kidnappers on the same day in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria. The incident took place on Sunday at Chatipara Government Primary School in Gokarna Union of the upazila and Kulikunda Uttar Government Primary School in Sadar. A burqa-clad woman, posing as an aunt, took them all out of the school. Later, she handed them over to gang members. However, a fourth-grade girl from Chatipara School bit one of the girls' hands and ran away and informed the people. Later, locals rescued the others. However, none of the kidnappers were arrested.
According to local sources, 12 students were abducted in different areas of the upazila from February 10 to March 3 (Sunday) in the same manner. Many of them were beaten and their gold ornaments were snatched away. Students have reduced their attendance at schools in the upazila due to the incident. Many of the children who were victims of the incident are panicking whenever they see someone wearing a burqa.
Jannat Akhter, mother of Nusrat Jahan Alifa, a second-grade student of Chatipara Government Primary School, told Samakal on Sunday night, "What happened to my daughter today is unforgettable. How can I send my daughter to school if this is the case? My daughter has fallen ill. She has not eaten or drunk anything all day. She cannot forget the matter in any way." She said that if the school authorities and the upazila administration cannot provide security to the children, then it is not possible to send them to school.
Sources said that on Sunday morning, Ifrat Zahar Ilma, a third-grade student, and Tazkiratul Tahiya, a fourth-grade student, were taken from the school along with Alifa. A burqa-clad woman, introducing herself as 'aunt', took the three of them to the embankment area, about a kilometer away from the school. She later handed them over to 8 women. Three children were beaten there. The fourth-grade student bit a member of the Tazkiratul Tahiya gang and fled. Later, local people rescued the others.
The students said that the burqa-clad woman told them, "I'm your aunt. Your mother is asking you to come home with me." When they told her they didn't know the woman, she scolded them, saying, "Hey, don't talk too much. If you say anything, I'll kill you."
Tazkiratul Tahiya's father, Md. Akbar, is an assistant teacher at Nurpur Government Primary School in the upazila. He said on Monday, "My daughter has been in extreme fear since the incident. I could not convince her to send her to school today."
On the same day, Jhumur Akhter, a second-grade student, was forcibly taken from Kulikunda North Government Primary School in the upazila's Sadar. When she continued to scream, the gang members left her in an abandoned house about a kilometer away from the school and fled.
On February 25, Md. Swadhin Mia, a fifth-grade student of Nasirpur Government Primary School in Sadar Union, went missing. His father Md. Abdu Mia informed the Nasirnagar police station about the matter. Later, on February 27, the child was rescued from Ashuganj ferry ghat. Abdu Mia says that Jin is behind it. However, the locals suspect the same gang behind Swadhin's disappearance.
On February 22, members of the gang attacked the Bholauk Government Primary School in Burishwar Union of the upazila. While classes were in progress, a woman introduced herself as 'aunt' and took out second grade student Achma Akhter and fourth grade student Jannat Akhter. When they tried to take them out of the school yard, the children screamed. At that time, the miscreants pressed their faces and beat them and ran away with gold ornaments from their bodies.
Sources said that on February 10, students of Shishu Kanan Kindergarten in the Upazila Sadar were returning home. Five women wearing burqas blocked their path. A woman told a second-grade student, "Come home with me. I will be your aunt." But the child ran away without recognizing her. A passerby saw the police forcefully taking the three children with her into a car. Although he saved the child, the gang members fled.
As news of these incidents spread on social media, panic has arisen among children and parents. The number of students attending schools has decreased. Many parents do not want to send their children to school. They say that despite the news of several incidents in the past 25 days, the upazila administration and police have not been able to arrest anyone. This is why they are panicking. However, the police have advised school authorities and parents not to panic.
Chhayedul Haque, headmaster of Chatipara Government Primary School, said, "We are very concerned about the issue." He does not understand how to find a solution to this problem. So he will discuss it with the parents.
Gokarna UP Chairman Syed Shaheen said he has learned that 4-5 women went to the house of second grade student Nusrat Jahan Alifa on Sunday to seek help. They tactfully found out the names of the children from the family members. Later, they went to the school and called the three by name and took them out.
The public representative believes that a gang from Dharmandal Union of the upazila is involved in these incidents. It has been reported that some people from that union are involved in various criminal incidents across the country. He fears that if the administration does not take strict action soon, the gang may traffic children from the area.
Upazila Education Officer Md. Iqbal Mia learned about the matter from the guardians and head teachers of some of the affected students. He is unable to understand the real purpose of it. They have advised all teachers to be careful in this regard.
Nasirnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Sohag Rana said that they have received several verbal complaints. Several police teams are working on the field taking the matter into consideration.
Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Imranul Haque said that he will discuss the matter with the Upazila Education Officer, headmasters of 126 primary schools and parents to take action in this regard. He advised parents to be alert and not panic.
