Pabna College Student on Hunger Strike Demanding Marriage; Boyfriend Missing

Tasnim Jahan Mim (18) an HSC examinee from Bankhola College in Pabna, has been on a hunger strike at her boyfriend’s house for five days, demanding marriage. The boyfriend, Tahjid Hossain, has been missing since the incident escalated.

Both youths are residents of Ulat village in Sujanagar upazila. Mim is the daughter of Ratan Molla, while Tahjid is the son of Shafi Molla.

According to a written complaint filed by Mim's father, the two have been in a relationship for two years. The situation came to a head on the night of May 31, when locals allegedly caught Tahjid at Mim’s house. Tahjid managed to escape the scene. The following day, June 1, Mim went to Tahjid’s house to demand marriage, prompting him to flee his home late at night. She has remained there since.

Sajal, Mim’s cousin, stated that both families initially sat down to resolve the issue through marriage. However, he alleged that local political interference and third parties are obstructing a peaceful family resolution, trying instead to force a police case. Ratan Molla echoed this, stating he wants the matter resolved amicably but refuses to bring his daughter home until the marriage takes place.

Tahjid’s mother, Beauty Khatun, acknowledged the relationship but noted there is a long-standing land dispute between the two families. She claimed she had previously pressured her son to end the relationship. Addressing the current standoff, she stated that her family was willing to arrange the marriage through local mediation when Mim arrived at their home, but blamed outside factions for derailing the process.

Locals acknowledge the couple's relationship was widely known in the area and have called for administrative intervention to restore peace between the feuding families. Tensions have recently escalated into physical altercations. Tahjid's family alleges that Mim's relatives assaulted them on Friday, while Mim's side claims the boy's family has threatened and beaten them at their own home.

Meanwhile, reporters were unable to obtain a direct statement from Mim. Locals allege that Beauty Khatun is keeping the young woman isolated and preventing her from speaking to anyone. Furthermore, Mim’s relatives claim they are being deprived of fair legal assistance because one of Tahjid’s relatives is a police officer.

Sujanagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (Investigation), Md. Lalbur Rahman, confirmed awareness of the situation. "We have conducted a preliminary investigation into the incident, and higher authorities are aware of the matter. The girl's family is reportedly preparing to file a formal case, after which the necessary legal steps will be taken," he said.