“I do not feel comfort to roam on the campus as a section of students as well as outsiders always waylay girl students and pass downright lewd comments,” said Tonni, a resident student of Pritilata Hall of Chittagong University (CU).
“So I do not generally go outside the hall in fear of becoming victim of sexual harassment although I have also a desire to wander on the hilly and picturesque campus during my leisure,” said Tonni (not her real name).
It is not only Tonni but many female students who are to frequently endure a lewd stare, sly whistle and the humming of indicative songs by a section of students and strangers.
Even female teachers are not getting respite from them on the campus.
At least five incidents of stalking occurred on the campus during the last three months, newspapers reports said. The stalkers took Tk 60,000 and assaulted at least four students for protesting the incidents of stalking.
According to newspaper reports, police arrested two students -- Asif Sikder and Nazrul Islam -- for passing filthy comments to two female students at Kata Pahar on the campus on March 10. Later, members of university proctorial committee got them released giving written undertaking to police of not stalking in future.
On March 22, two female teachers became victim of stalking harassment by three outsiders in front of Pritilata Hall. Police arrested the stalkers and Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Offocer fined each of them Tk 20,000 day after the incident. The stalkers are Mizanur Rahman, 25, Md Khorshed, 26, and Md Nayem, 28, of East Dewanbag of Hathazari Upazila.
On April 17, Ayan Barua, a student, was beaten up by Shaon, also a student, and his friends for stalking Shaon's girl friend.
On April 25, a student of Islamic History and Culture department became victim of sexual harassment by a group of unruly students. The unidentified stalkers also beat up Md Zahirul Islam for protesting the stalking.
On May 26, a girl student of Computer Science and Engineering Department became victim of stalking in front of Pritilata Hall by Noman of Applied Physics department and his friends. The stalkers also stabbed two students -- Shantanu Barua and Ahmed Afif --for protesting the incident.
Shahrin Ferdousi, a student of economics department, said the girl students are being victim of stalking almost daily which is increasing alarmingly not only on the campus but also across the country. She said to end the menace, change in attitude of male chauvinism is very important alongside the proper enforcement of law.
A female teacher, also victim of stalking on the campus, said university authority should be more cautious about stalking and vigilance should be increased on the campus.
She said the stalkers should be punished instantly and their family members should be informed about the matter to prevent recurrence of the shameful task.
A change in mentality is required to stop the crime and for this, there is no alternative to counselling the students, she added.
Proctor Dr Mohammad Akter Hossain said they are very strict against stalking and they take action against the stalkers according to the university rules.
Prof Akter said many of the victims do not inform about the incidents fearing social stigma. If the victims do not inform them, how they will take action against the culprits, he added.
He, however, said to uproot this social disease, there is no alternative to social movement.