Summary:
- Eight young men and women were forcibly married by locals at Regent Park Resort in Sylhet after accusations of antisocial activities.
- A section of the resort was set on fire during the incident, with firefighters later controlling the blaze.
- Police confirmed the detainment of 16 individuals, eight of whom were handed over to their families, while no formal complaints were filed.
- The resort has been closed indefinitely, and the incident has sparked debates on vigilante justice and societal norms.
In a dramatic and controversial incident in Sylhet’s Moglabazar area, eight young men and women were forcibly married by locals at the Regent Park Resort after being accused of engaging in “antisocial activities.” The event, which unfolded on Sunday, January 19, 2025, also involved arson at the resort premises. The resort has since been closed indefinitely by its management.
According to police reports, local residents stormed the Regent Park Resort around midday after suspecting immoral behavior. They detained 16 individuals, later releasing eight to their families while arranging marriages for the remaining eight—four men and four women. These marriages were officiated by Abdul Bari, a marriage registrar (kazi) from the nearby Silam Union. Bari stated that he was summoned by the locals and conducted the ceremonies in their presence. He disclosed that three of the marriages involved dowries of 10 lakh Bangladeshi taka each, while one involved 12 lakh taka.
The situation escalated when part of the resort was set on fire. Firefighters from Sylhet Fire Service eventually brought the blaze under control. However, no casualties were reported. Police are investigating the cause of the fire, which some witnesses claim originated from a generator.
Moglabazar police station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC), Khondkar Mostafizur Rahman, confirmed that law enforcement was not informed about the marriages and that no formal complaints had been filed against the detained individuals. He added that local elders had taken responsibility for notifying the families of those involved.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about vigilante justice and societal norms in Bangladesh. Some locals accuse the resort of being a hotspot for inappropriate activities, which they claim prompted their intervention. Tazrul Islam Tazul, a member of Sylhet district’s Nationalist Farmers’ Party who was present at the scene, mentioned that nearly 2,000 people gathered at the resort following rumors of misconduct. He emphasized efforts to prevent further chaos but admitted that some individuals entered the premises by scaling walls.
Attempts to contact Regent Park Resort management for comments have been unsuccessful, as their communication channels remain inactive. The resort’s indefinite closure has raised questions about its future operations and accountability.
South Surma Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Urmi Roy stated she was unaware of the incident until media reports surfaced. This lack of official oversight has further fueled concerns about community-led punitive actions overriding legal processes.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between traditional societal values and modern lifestyles in Bangladesh. It also underscores challenges in maintaining law and order in rural areas where community actions often bypass formal legal systems. The forced marriages and subsequent arson have drawn attention to issues surrounding personal freedoms, vigilantism, and the role of local governance in addressing such disputes.
Source: BDnews24
