Child marriage stopped in Naogaon, UNO’s car attacked

Naogaoan Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) came under attack by members of the groom’s party while intervening to stop the marriage  Atrai of Naogaoan.

The incident took place around 3:30 PM on Saturday (August 29) in the Samaspāra area of Bisha Union. At the time, the groom’s supporters blocked the UNO’s vehicle and attempted to snatch the groom away. Additional police personnel later arrived and brought the situation under control.

According to the upazila administration, a marriage had been arranged on Saturday between a 12-year-old Class Seven student and a young man named Al Amin in Samaspāra.

Acting on a tip-off, a mobile court led by UNO Md Moniruzzaman went to the scene and stopped the marriage. Later, while Al Amin was being taken into custody, members of the groom’s party blocked the UNO’s vehicle. Around 30 people allegedly launched a sudden attack and attempted to free the detained groom.

As the situation became tense, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Atrai Police Station arrived at the scene with additional police personnel. The situation was brought under control, and three people, including the groom and the bride, were detained.

Meanwhile, several teachers, including former president of the Samaspāra High School management committee Munirul Zaman Munir, were reportedly present at the child marriage ceremony. Some villagers alleged that Munir had instigated the groom’s side to attack the UNO’s vehicle and attempt to snatch the groom.

When contacted, Munir said, “The marriage took place two years ago. Only the formalities were remaining. I went there because of my family relationship with the groom’s side. Later, when the UNO came and stopped the ceremony, a disturbance broke out. I cooperated with the upazila administration. The allegation that I instigated the attack is not true.”

-MT