Comilla Union Parishad Chairman faces backlash for publicly assaulting woman during village arbitration
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A Union Parishad chairman in Brahmanpara, Comilla, is facing intense public backlash after a video emerged showing him publicly assaulting a woman with a shoe during a village arbitration session. The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, has sparked widespread calls for legal action against the official.
In an eleven-second video circulating on social media, the chairman, identified as Farid Uddin, is seen sitting on a chair surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. He calls the woman forward before striking her with his shoe three times while seated and three additional times after standing up. Despite the presence of dozens of spectators, no one intervened to stop the assault.
The arbitration was reportedly convened to address allegations of an extramarital affair involving the woman, whose husband is a migrant worker living abroad. While both the woman and the man involved were reportedly sanctioned during the session, footage of the punishment meted out to the man has not been made public.
When questioned by local media, Farid Uddin defended his actions, claiming he intervened to prevent a potential escalation by an angry mob. He asserted that he was merely enforcing a “social verdict” to maintain order, and suggested that the video was leaked by individuals with ulterior motives.
The victim has declined to provide comments to the press regarding the assault.
Brahmanpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Faruk Hossain stated that police have taken note of the incident and have informed the local administrative authorities. He confirmed that legal action will be initiated if a formal complaint is filed by the victim or her representatives.
Munni Islam, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Brahmanpara, condemned the act, noting that Union Parishad officials operate within a strict legal framework regarding dispute resolution. She emphasized that arbitration proceedings must adhere to established laws and that the chairman’s actions fall outside his jurisdiction. An investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Human rights activist and women’s leader Dilnashi Mohsen has strongly condemned the incident, describing the chairman’s conduct as unacceptable. She stated that even if the allegations against the woman were true, the chairman had no legal authority to inflict physical punishment. Mohsen called for a transparent investigation and demanded that the chairman face accountability for his actions.
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