Two children have allegedly been tied hand and foot and tortured in public in Galachipa, Patuakhali, over accusations of stealing hilsa. A member of the local union parishad and a fish trader were reportedly involved.

The incident took place at midday on Monday (29 September) next to the new sluice gate in the Char Mohiruddin area of Char Biswas union in the upazila.

Photos taken of the children holding fish after the abuse spread on social media, causing a stir in the area.

One of the two children is 10 years old and the other 14. One is from Mohishkata village in Mirzaganj upazila and the other from Char Agosti village in Char Biswas union. One of them received treatment at the local health complex after the abuse.

According to relatives, the two children went fishing in the river on Sunday night with local fisherman Joynal Khan. Late at night they fell asleep in the boat. The next morning fish trader Imran Boyati caught them and took them to his depot, accusing them of stealing about 10 hilsa from it. They were then tied hand and foot, beaten, and made to sit in the midday sun until they confessed. Photos of them holding fish were taken and shared on social media.

When the children's relatives reached the spot they found them tied up. Local UP member Hasan Sardar and Imran Boyati then demanded Tk 10,500 in compensation. When the relatives could not pay, their signatures were taken on blank paper, after which the children were released.

Denying the allegations, UP member Hasan Sardar said: "The children stole fish from Imran's depot. I went there after hearing about it. The price of the fish was then demanded as compensation. They were not beaten."

Fish trader Imran Boyati said: "The two stole fish from my depot. When they tried to run away, their hands and feet were tied. They had stolen fish before too, which was settled locally. This time photos were taken as proof."

Md Ashadur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Galachipa police station, said: "We are aware of the incident. Police went to the spot. The victims have been asked to file a written complaint. If we receive one, we will investigate and take legal action."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.