Mosammat Aysha told this correspondent, her husband Afsar pronounced the word 'Talak' aiming at her during a quarrel several years ago. As other villagers learnt this, village influentials decided to give Hilla marriage to Aysha. When Afsar opposed the decision, village elders abandoned him. They did not call Afsar or his family members in any social or religious function. Even Afsar was not allowed to say prayers in local mosque.

This is a typical situation at Dashtika village in Bogra suburb. The situation prevails here for years together, said Hilla marriage victims Mosammat Rahima, Mosammat Rabeya, Mosammat Golapi and Mosammat Daisy.

Tota managed to normalise relationship with villagers by handing over Tk 500 in cash to Bulu Mia. But others like Bulu Mia raised the rate of Hilla marriage from Tk 500 to 4,000. So, Samsu Mia failed to give Hilla marriage to his wife Bilkis. Similar was the condition of Raihan's wife Habiba Begum and Kashem's wife Tahera Begum. Hanjela's first wife Sahera is still waiting for Hilla marriage Hanjela's second wife Saleha was compelled to marry her 70-year-old father-in-law Md Kanchan Mia through Hilla marriage about five years ago, but Sahera did not get an opportunity to get back to the social fold through such marriage.

However, local elders did not acknowledge this saying if anybody pronounces the word 'Talak' in presence of his wife their conjugal life will come to an end, according to Islamic custom. In that case, Hilla marriage is a must to resume their conjugal life, they said.

But several years ago some Islamic scholars said, at a meeting in Kahalu upazila, that Islam does not permit such type of marriage The meeting was told that any couple's conjugal life will end if any sane man pronounces 'Talak' three times. But if he is angry, 'Talak' will not be effective, the meeting said.

Several incidents of Hilla marriage occurred in the aforesaid village in Bogra sadar upazila in last 25 years. In turn, Bulu Mia, Md Sattar, Md Jobbar, Md Akbar, Md Fakira and Md Samad were bridegrooms in Hilla marriages.

Although the situation improved slightly at Dashtika village following publication of stories, but no administrative action was taken against the culprits. Grameen Alo, an NGO, is working to improve the socio-economic condition there for the last few years. Grameen Alo Executive Director Ferdousi Betum said at least 23 incidents of Hilla marriage happened at the village, but the victim women did not dare to seek justice from any body. Still they do not dare to do so, Ferdousi added.