Social activist Naima Khandaker, daughter-in-law of BNP Standing Committee member and Cumilla-1 lawmaker Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, has expressed serious concerns about her personal safety in a Facebook post.
In a post published on Friday night, she alleged that several Facebook accounts were being used to threaten her life, spread defamatory content and harass her at the instigation of an influential group.
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“Where is my security? As a woman, whom should I turn to for justice?” she wrote.
Naima Khandaker serves as executive director and secretary of the J. Huda Welfare Society. She is also joint general secretary of the Cumilla district branch of the National Women’s Sports Association.
In her post, Naima appealed to the people of Daudkandi, concerned citizens, the government and the relevant authorities to take notice of her situation. She expressed fear that she could face a life-threatening attack or other serious harm at any time.
According to her account, her husband, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain Tushar, is currently abroad with his father, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, for medical treatment. She alleged that while she is staying alone at home, several Facebook accounts have been issuing threats and circulating defamatory content against her.
Naima further claimed that she had been informing the officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station about the incidents for the past 20 days but had yet to receive any effective remedy.
She also said that despite the ongoing mental stress and security concerns, she had to sit for a law examination. Her physical and mental condition deteriorated so severely that she nearly fainted in the examination hall.
Speaking to Samakal on Saturday evening, Naima said, “If I can face such harassment and defamatory campaigns in my own area despite being part of a political family, what is the security of women from ordinary families? I am not seeking any special privileges because my father-in-law is Dr Khandaker Mosharraf and my husband is Mahbub Hossain Tushar. I simply want dignity, security and justice as an ordinary citizen. I have asked the police to identify those instigating the threats and defamatory posts through Facebook accounts.”
Officer-in-Charge of Daudkandi Model Police Station Md Sajedul Islam said the matter was being taken seriously. He said Naima had verbally informed the police about posts targeting her on Facebook and had been asked to submit a written complaint.
He also advised her to file a written complaint with the Cyber Crime Unit to help identify the Facebook accounts involved.
