BANGLADESH

The incident of capturing videos through close-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras in Persona Beauty Parlour should be investigated properly, says information commissioner Sadeka Halim.

"Beauty parlour is a sensitive place. If there's any CCTV camera, it should be brought to the notice of the clients," Sadeka said.

"We should also investigate into what is happening in the so-called parlours in Dhaka," she added.

The information commissioner told on Tuesday, "There is no guideline on setting up CCTV cameras. The concern should made a guideline at the earliest."

On Sept 30 evening, a female doctor went for a spa at Persona's Banani branch on Road No. 11. She found a camera in the dressing room she was using for changing. The woman complained verbally to police, spoke to the media and called up her businessman husband.

Later police rushed to the spot and took control of the situation.

The couple said that they would not file any case over the incident for the sake of privacy and honour.

Persona and the husband of the victim jointly published a statement in some local newspapers on Tuesday saying the incident was a 'misunderstanding'.

Reacting to the incident, physiologist Farzana Halim Neela said, "The incident is very embarrassing for any woman … there's some kind of smokescreen..."

Jahangirnagar University Anthropology professor Ainun Nahar said, "Actually it is not very clear what happened there that day. I thing some attempts are being made to cover up the issue. Anyway, they have interfered into woman's freedom."

Banna Mirza, a prominent drama actor said, "I am not sure what happened in Persona, but I believe the reality will reveal itself only after a through investigation. But if the privacy has been intruded, it is a matter of anxiety for the entire society."

Jahangirnagar University English department teacher Farzana Jabin Khan said, "I read the statement of Kaniz Aslam in the newspaper but could not find an answer - why a camera should be there in the changing room? We do not expect such behaviour from a woman towards another. She has insulted all women of Bangladesh."

After the incident, five lawyers from Dhaka Judge Court sent legal notices to the proprietor of Persona on Monday. A sub-inspector of Gulshan Police Station was also suspended temporarily for negligence in his duty.