PMO asks arrest of all teasers
The Prime Minister's Office yesterday directed law enforcers to immediately arrest the friends of Rezaul Karim whose teasing forced schoolgirl Umme Kulsum Elora to kill herself at her Madhya Nandipara residence in the city on Saturday.
On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a team of representatives led by PMO Director General Dina Huq visited the residence of Elora yesterday afternoon and consoled her family members giving assurance of exemplary punishment to the criminals involved.
The PMO DG said, "I have come here on behalf of the prime minister who has directed authorities to arrest all those involved in teasing the girl and responsible for pushing her towards suicide.
"None will be spared and reluctance of law enforcers in arresting the wicked friends of Rezaul will not be tolerated," she said.
She directed police to deploy a team in front of the house of deceased Elora for ensuring security to her family members.
She was accompanied by two directors of the PMO during the visit.
A class VIII student of Dakkhin Banasri Model High School, Elora, 14, had been bearing the torment of harassment by Rezaul Karim, 19, and his friends for over a year. She committed suicide on April 3.
Meanwhile, police arrested Rezaul early yesterday and later took him on a two-day remand for quizzing.
Talking to reporters at the police station, Rezaul denied the allegation of teasing Elora and claimed to have had an affair with her for the last two years.
A neighbour of Elora, however, said she saw Rezaul stopping Elora on her way and trying to talk to her.
Elora's father Nizamuddin Mollah said when his daughter told them about Rezaul, the youth threatened Elora and her mother several times.
Elora's mother Halima Begum said, "I went from door to door pleading for help to save my daughter from Rezaul, but no one did anything."
The girl's parents had taken the matter up with the local leaders and Rezaul's parents, but to no avail.
Rezaul sat for SSC examinations this year for the third time under Vocational Programme from Kadamtola High School.
All the family members of Rezaul have been absconding.
Before going into hiding, Rezaul's aunt also claimed that he and Elora had a relationship.