- Protesters form human chain at National Museum in Dhaka
- Demonstration condemns February 17 bus robbery and assaults
- Victims faced delays in filing complaints due to jurisdictional issues
- Police inaction criticized; demand for justice intensifies
- Authorities initiate case three days post-incident
Dhaka, February 22, 2025 — A group of concerned citizens gathered in front of the National Museum in Dhaka yesterday. They protested against a recent bus robbery and the alleged sexual assault of female passengers. The demonstrators formed a human chain, demanding immediate justice for the victims and condemning the horrifying incident.
On February 17, a Rajshahi-bound bus operated by Unique Road Royals left Dhaka’s Gabtoli bus stand around 11:30 PM. Shortly after midnight, between Gazipur’s Chandra and Tangail’s Mirzapur, eight to nine robbers took control of the bus. They posed as passengers before revealing their true intentions and launching their attack.
The robbers stole money, mobile phones, and gold ornaments from about 40 passengers. During this terrifying event, reports indicate that two female passengers faced sexual harassment. The protesters strongly demanded justice, emphasizing the need for safety and security on public transportation.
Calls for Justice as Jurisdictional Disputes Hinder Complaint Filing
After the attack, victims struggled to file complaints because of jurisdictional disputes between police stations. Sirajul Islam, the officer-in-charge of Baraigram Police Station in Natore, claimed he was unaware of the incident. Meanwhile, the officer-in-charge of Mirzapur Police Station in Tangail said he received no reports of sexual assault on the bus.
At the protest, speakers criticized the police for their inaction and demanded justice for the victims. They described the police response as highly questionable. They also pointed out that this wasn’t an isolated incident but a sign of growing lawlessness in the country. To address the issue, they called for a task force to investigate sexual harassment and improve night bus security.
Three days after the alleged robbery and sexual assault, a case was finally filed at Tangail’s Mirzapur Police Station. Bus passenger Omar Ali filed the complaint against unidentified suspects. Assistant Superintendent of Police (Mirzapur Circle) HM Mahbub Rezwan Siddiqui confirmed that detectives and local police are actively working to catch the culprits.
The incident has raised serious concerns about passenger safety on public transportation in Bangladesh. Citizens are demanding immediate action to fix security lapses and prevent such incidents from happening again. The authorities’ response in the coming days will be crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring justice for the victims.