Torture of Shariatpur teenage boy, girl trigger outcry

Shariatpur: The video footage of a teenage boy and a girl being tortured in Zanjira upazila with shoe garlands around their necks allegedly for their elopement has triggered angry outcry.
The video clip, uploaded in social media and Youtube, showed the Class-VII girl and one of her neighbours of the same age, who were in love with each other, being beaten at Kunderchar Abdul Mannan Mallik Kandi High School ground in Kunderchar area.
Locals said the girl and the boy of Kunderchar allegedly eloped on 6 February but in vain as they were caught at the end of the village.
Later, they were taken to the house of former Union Council chairman Liakat Mallik at the village where they were beaten mercilessly overnight with their hands tied.
The following day, the victims were taken to the school ground where they were paraded in public and beaten by several people with shoes putting around their necks.
The perpetrators left the teenagers at the field with their hands tied. Later, their families rescued them.
Former UC chairman Liakat Mallik said since local administration seldom visits the area due to inaccessibility, he has to take up the responsibility of settling such matters.
Zajira Police Station sub-inspector Sanjay Kumar Saha said actions would be taken against the accused if the victims file a complaint against them.