Businesswoman assaulted by mob while being escorted by police in Rajbari
Photo Collected
A female business owner was assaulted in Rajbari’s main garment market area on Saturday, an incident captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The victim, Zakia Sultana, who operates a clothing business called Astha Poshak Shilpo in the city’s Kaderia Market, was attacked while being escorted from the scene by police officers.
Footage of the incident shows Sultana walking with law enforcement personnel when several individuals began harassing her. Despite the police presence, assailants were recorded kicking and slapping her from multiple sides.
The conflict reportedly originated from a salary dispute involving a former employee, Shahnaz Parvin, who had been working at Sultana’s establishment. Sultana stated that after Parvin resigned, a disagreement over final payments escalated on August 22. Sultana alleged that the following evening, Parvin returned to the shop with unidentified individuals, leading to a confrontation and an initial attack on the business premises. Sultana sought assistance from the market committee, who advised her to pursue legal recourse.
On Saturday afternoon, Sultana organized a protest march to condemn the earlier attack on her business. During the demonstration, she alleged that local traders attacked her and her supporters. While police intervened to rescue her, the physical assault occurred as officers were moving her away from the site.
Benazir Ahmed, convener of the Rajbari Bazar Businessmen’s Welfare Association, confirmed that he arrived at the market to mediate the dispute and claimed that both parties initially reached a resolution. However, Sultana maintains that the subsequent assault necessitated further action. She stated that she is currently preparing to file formal complaints with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and other relevant authorities.
Uttam Kumar Ghosh, officer-in-charge of Rajbari Sadar Police Station, confirmed that no formal written complaints have been filed by either party involved in the dispute.
The viral footage has sparked various unverified claims online, with some social media posts inaccurately alleging that the victim was a consumer rights complainant or that the incident involved local government officials. Authorities have dismissed these narratives as unsubstantiated.
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