Eminent citizens have claimed that an attempt is being made to cover up the crime by filing a case of negligent death in the death of tribal child Preeti Urang at the residence of Syed Ashfaqul Haque, the sacked executive editor of the English daily Daily Star. The demand was made at a press conference organized by ‘Sachetan Nagrik Samaj’ at the National Press Club on Thursday (April 25). The press conference was held to demand an ‘independent, impartial investigation and speedy trial’ of Preeti Urang’s unnatural death.
Preeti Urang, a tribal child, died on February 6 at the residence of Syed Ashfaqul Haque and Tanya Khandkar in Mohammadpur of the capital. In a written statement at the press conference, it was said that even before the death of Preeti Urang, some other domestic workers were subjected to torture in the house of Ashfaqul Haque. A repetition of exactly the same event cannot be an accident. In such a situation, we fear that the crime is being covered up or minimized by filing cases of ‘negligent death’. I demand to complete the trial of the real criminals by carrying out a neutral, fair, impartial, influence-free and transparent investigation of this incident.
In the press conference claiming that some of the incidents that happened at Ashfaqul Haque’s house have been investigated, it was said in the press conference, ‘Another domestic worker fell or jumped from that flat in Mohammadpur on August 4 last year. he is alive We try to find out about this on the ground. A few of us tried to get detailed information by going to Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar, Mohammadpur, local police stations and related hospitals. The 7-year-old who survived, the medical report said, had a deep wound on his genitals. There has been surgery. Abdul Adel, the manager of that building, signed as a guardian in this important surgery. This operation is done without informing the child’s parents. DMP Police Tejgaon Zone Deputy Commissioner HM Azimul Haque said in a television interview that it was not possible to check whether the incident of rape occurred due to the hasty evacuation of the patient. Syed Ashfaqul Haque’s office people have given threats. Note that the final investigation report of the case does not mention this sensitive wound of the child.
Demanding to ensure the protection of domestic workers, it was said in the press conference that despite repeated demands and requests from the civil society to the government for the protection and welfare of domestic workers, we do not see any reflection of it in reality. Recent incidents of violence against domestic workers remind us again and again of its necessity.
10-point demands were raised in the press conference to ensure justice in the death of Preeti Urang. This includes free and transparent investigations to ensure strict punishment of the guilty. This case should be brought under the Prevention of Women and Child Abuse Act and tried in the Women and Child Abuse Tribunal. Adequate financial compensation should be provided to Preeti’s family. Also, all measures should be taken to ensure the safety of his family, etc.
The press conference was presided over by Khushi Kabir, a women’s leader and coordinator of ‘Nijera Kari’. In addition, prominent human rights activist Dr. Hamida Hossain, Dhaka University Professor Geeti Ara Nasrin, Professor Tanjim Uddin Khan, Professor Zobaida Nasrin, Women Leader Shirin Haque, Leader of Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad Kajal Debnath, Advocate Tabarak Hossain, Writer Rehnuma Ahmed, Priscilla Raj and Farha Tanjim Titil etc.
Earlier on February 6 this year, this indigenous child died unexpectedly at the residence of Syed Ashfaqul Haque and Tanya Khandkar in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. At the time of the incident, Syed Ashfaqul Haque was working as the executive editor of the English daily Daily Star. He was fired on April 4.
