A disturbing video circulating on Facebook shows three men in caps and Punjabi forcibly cutting the hair and beard of an elderly man in a market while he pleaded for mercy. The victim has been identified as 70-year-old Halim Uddin Akand, known locally as Halim Fakir, a resident of Kodalia village in Tarakanda upazila of Mymensingh.
According to locals, Halim Fakir is a devotee of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Shah Paran (RA) who had maintained matted hair for 34 years. Once a farmer, he is now known in his community for jharphunk and kabiraji healing. Witnesses said that a group of men attacked him in Kashiganj Bazar just before Eid-ul-Adha, beating him and forcibly shaving him in public. During the ordeal, Halim Fakir fainted while bystanders looked on without intervening.
After the video went viral, people from surrounding areas gathered to see Halim Fakir. The Mymensingh Baul Samity condemned the assault, calling it a violation of religious and cultural rights. General Secretary Rezaul Karim Aslam stated, “No one can forcibly cut his hair and beard like this and spread the video. We demand legal action.”
Tarakanda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tipu Sultan confirmed that the incident is under review. “We have spoken to the family. If a case is filed, the culprits will be arrested,” he said.
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