Barishal: A viral video showing 9-year-old Tuba Akter Tarin feeding bread and tea to her bound father has prompted officials and volunteers to step in for the family.
The video, filmed in Bamrail area of Uzirpur upazila in Barishal, spread on social media last Saturday. It showed Tuba pushing through a crowd to reach her father, Anik Sardar, whose hands and feet were tied. She sat in front of him, dipped bread in tea and fed him by hand.
After the video went viral, details emerged about the family’s long-running financial hardship, Anik’s past drug use, theft allegations against him, a local land dispute and his stated wish to return to normal life. People have since begun visiting the house with food, money and offers to help arrange work.
Local residents said Anik was detained last Saturday night on suspicion of trying to steal from a house in Bamrail. His family alleged he was tied with rope and beaten afterward. The video showed Tuba feeding him during that episode.
Accounts of the incident differ locally. Anik’s family said the theft allegation was linked to an old land dispute and alleged he was detained and beaten because of that dispute.
Anik’s wife, Jannatul Ferdous, said the family has a land dispute with Ayat Khandaker, Khairul Islam, Arif, Hanif, Sakib, Shahid and others. She said the theft allegation was raised because of that dispute.
Ayat Khandaker denied the allegation. He said theft complaints had been made against Anik before and that he was beaten after being caught this time. He said Anik was not beaten in front of his daughter.
Several local residents also said theft allegations had previously been made against Anik. Some described him as drug-dependent. The allegations could not be independently verified, and Anik’s family denied the theft allegations.
Anik’s wife said the couple have two children, Tuba, 9, and Turin Islam Tuna, 3. The family has no regular income and is raising the children in hardship. Jannatul Ferdous, who passed HSC, said she is also willing to work if needed.
The family said Anik’s father had once been well-off, but much of the family’s property was spent on his treatment after he became ill. Anik later became involved with drugs, the family said. They alleged that a local drug ring took advantage of his weakness, but that allegation could not be independently verified.
Anik said he now wants to return to normal life. “I want to live properly,” he said. “If someone can create a way for me to earn, I will change myself.”
He said he wants to survive by working, even on a simple diet of rice and lentils, and raise his children.
The video has stirred public emotion and led to efforts to support the family. After seeing the video, Web Foundation informed its Barishal team so the matter could be verified. Volunteers later met Tuba.
The organization said Tuba asked for help arranging work for her father. Considering rural conditions, Anik has asked for a battery-run autovan. An initiative has been taken to buy him one, and there are also plans to support Tuba’s education.
Uzirpur police station has also been contacted. SI (Investigation) Faruk assured that the matter would be looked into and necessary support provided.
Uzirpur police station Officer-in-Charge Md Rakibul Islam said police went to the spot after the video spread on social media. Anik was later released after police took a written undertaking from his relatives.
Uzirpur UNO Md Ali Suja visited Anik’s home on Sunday morning to check on the family. “The scene of a daughter’s love for her father has spread on social media,” he said. “If Anik wants to return to normal life, the administration will try to support the family under government rules.”
After learning of the matter through the UNO, SI Md Jasim Uddin of the Barishal district Department of Narcotics Control met Tuba’s family. He spoke with family members and asked about their situation.
People involved said Anik’s past drug use and the family’s current condition are being examined. Support to help him return to normal life will also be considered where necessary.
Tuba’s family members said that if Anik can fully leave drugs and begin regular work, their household with the children can gradually return to normal.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report