Barisal, Correspondent :
Md Dulal, the official of a state-run Children’s Home in Barisal has been temporarily suspended on charge of toturing two children of the Home.
“A five-member probe committee, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Abul Kalam Azad has been formed to investigate the incident,” Barisal Deputy Commissoner Gazi Md Saifuzzaman told the media.
The four other members of the committee are Executive Magistrate Shukhmoy Sarkar, DSS Probation Officer Sazzad Parvez, Shishu Paribar Project’s Deputy Supervisor Ismat Ara Khanam and part-time doctor of the children’s home Md Rashid. The committee has been requested to submit their findings within three days.
High official of Social Welfare Department visited the spot on Wednesday and asked one staff to vacate his quarter after his son reportedly flashed it in social media.
Zulfikar Haider, Director (establishment) of Social Welfare Directorate on Wednesday afternoon visited Barisal Sarkari Sishu Sadan (Utttar) (Barisal Government Orphanage home after the torture on two sheltered orphans has caused uproar among the members of the public. The footage of torture went viral on social networking sites and media.
The social welfare director talked with the victims and staff. After visit, the social welfare director while talking with the journalists said, some times indiscipline occurs in the family and it needs to take action to maintain rules and regulations.
However, if the allegation of torture on orphans is proved, then punitive action will also be taken against the guilty. Concerned higher authority also could not avoid their responsibility, the director said.
Answering question about forming another probe committee by the social welfare department besides the committee formed by the deputy commissioner, the official said that it could be explained only after discussing with higher authority.
On the other hand, Barisal sadar upazila social welfare officer Akhtaruzzaman with very rough language and behaviors ordered Abu Taleb, a fourth class employee of the orphanage waiting for retirement and father of the youth suspected as recording and spreading video of torture, to vacate his quarter immediately.
Nasima Begum, wife of Abu Taleb, alleged that the Sadar upazila social welfare officer said ‘I want to see that you have vacated the quarter within next 24 hours before receiving any notice’.
Family members of Abu Taleb suspected that upazila social welfare officer became furious after knowing that Miraz, son of Abu Taleb, was responsible for capturing the video of torture and flashing that in social media.
However Miraj said his friends recorded that video of torture with mobile phone and spread that in social media as deputy-superintendent in charge of the orphanage ignored their allegation against the torture.
Advocate Munira Begum, divisional secretary of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, after visiting the spot on Wednesday said staff like MLSS, superintendent, cook and others out of 15 staff of the orphanage were absent from duty.
It also found that sheltered orphan girls were sick without any treatment. Some girls are doing different types of domestic jobs like preparing foods of the orphanage, working in the houses of the staff and officials, BNWLA official Advocate Munira said.
Journalists and advocates were barred by the orphanage authority to visit inside and talking with the orphans.
Minara Begum, cooking in charge of the orphanage, reached there after hearing about our visit and quarry, Advocate Munira said.
On other hand, Md. Dulal Mia, health assistant of the orphanage accused for torturing girls, became absconding after the letter of his suspension reached him.
Qamrunnahar Parvin, wife of Dulal Mia, told that she tried to prevent her husband from torturing the girls, but could not succeed for fear of his hot temperament. He often beats her and the children as he is very hot headed man.
Officials usually do not come here to perform their duty and my husband does their works, wife of Dulal Mia told.
Akhtaruzzaman, Sadar upazila social welfare officer, denying his rough behaviour and threatening Abu Taleb, said all will be done as per rules and regulations of the service.
Deputy Superintendent in charge of the orphanage said the allegation was not known to her earlier.
