Munshiganj (South) Correspondent

 A young man has been arrested by police for physically assaulting underage girls in the cabin of a passenger launch during a picnic stop at Munshiganj launch terminal. 

The incident, which took place in broad daylight, has gone viral on social media. On Saturday afternoon, Munshiganj Sadar Police conducted a raid and arrested the accused, Nehal Ahmed Jihad (25), from the Islampur area of Sadar upazila. He is the son of Monir Hossain from South Islampur village. According to Munshiganj Sadar Police Station, a case is being prepared against him, and he will be sent to court following the filing of the case.

Locals reported that on the night of Friday, at around 8:00 PM, a picnic launch anchored at Munshiganj terminal. Around 9:30 PM, they were alerted to disturbances and arrived at the scene. Upon entering the vessel, they recorded videos on their phones and spoke with the assaulted women before leaving.

An eyewitness who requested anonymity said the launch was en route from Dhaka to Lalmohon, carrying around 300 passengers. Around 20–25 young men and two underage girls had rented several cabins on the second and third floors of the launch for a picnic, traveling back home at night.

In a viral video circulating on Facebook, a young girl, approximately 15–17 years old and dressed in white, is seen being violently whipped with a belt at the front of the launch by Nehal Ahmed Jihad of Munshiganj town. He is reportedly affiliated with an organization called "Anti-Discrimination Student People." In the video, 50–60 men of various ages are seen cheering, chanting slogans, and recording the incident on their phones.

When asked about the video, Nehal Ahmed Jihad stated, “Around 200–300 locals accused them of being prostitutes based on their behavior and clothing, and became angry. I tried to calm things down and acted like an elder brother trying to discipline them. I admit it was wrong. But if I hadn’t intervened, the crowd would’ve stripped the girls and harassed them even more. I even recovered about eight mobile phones for them from the mob. I regret hitting them.”

Other videos on social media show a group of 10–15 people storming the second floor of the stationary launch, beating underage male passengers and breaking into cabins during searches.

Investigations revealed that the targeted launch, named "MV Captain," was carrying at least six picnic-goers who were injured in the attack, including two underage girls. Their identities are still unknown, but they are believed to be residents of Kamrangirchar in Dhaka.

There were also around 300 regular passengers aboard the launch who were unharmed, though the mob attack left them terrified.

Officer-in-Charge of Munshiganj Sadar Police Station, Saiful Alam, confirmed the arrest and said the launch authorities are in the process of filing a case, after which the suspect will be sent to court.

He further explained that around Friday evening, 8 to 10 female passengers disembarked from the launch to buy snacks. Locals suspected them of being addicts or sex workers and tried to board the launch. When the launch manager, Md. Shafik, stopped them, the angry crowd vandalized, looted, and assaulted passengers on board. Police intervention later helped defuse the situation.

Muktarpur Naval Police Station’s In-Charge, Md. Ataur Rahman, said, “We were present at the scene along with the Sadar police. After the assault, we escorted the launch a long way to ensure the passengers’ safety.”