One held for assaulting two girls on launch

Police yesterday arrested a man allegedly for assaulting two girls and vandalising a Dhaka-bound launch at Munshiganj Launch Terminal on Friday night.

The suspect, identified as Nehal Ahmed Jihad, 25, was arrested around 2:00pm following the incident.

Md Firoz Kabir, additional superintendent of police (crime and operations), confirmed the arrest, saying that legal action will be taken against all those involved upon completion of a full investigation.

Saiful Alam, officer-in-charge of Munshiganj Sadar Police Station, said a group of passengers had travelled by launch for picnic from South Keraniganj, Dhaka, to Mohanpur, Chandpur. During their return trip, the launch stopped at Munshiganj terminal for shopping, where an altercation reportedly broke out with a group of local youths.

Accusing the passengers of immoral behaviour, the locals allegedly vandalised the vessel around 8:00pm. A viral footage circulating on social media shows Jihad assaulting two female passengers on the deck using a belt.

Another widely shared video shows several young men beating a woman on the second floor of the vessel.

Their identities have not yet been confirmed, the OC added.

When asked about the incident, Nehal told local journalists, "I did this for their own good. Some people were looting on the launch, so I went there with my friends. When we arrived, I helped evacuate the people I knew. The crowd had become aggressive toward the two girls. At that moment, they asked us to 'save' them. As a brother, I intervened by striking them a few times. I respect the law, and to control the situation, I hit them two or three times as a brother."

Law enforcement officials later intervened and brought the situation under control.

The launch, MV Captain, subsequently departed Munshiganj for Dhaka.

Police said filing of a case against Jihad and others allegedly involved was underway.