BANGKOK (Reuters) - Bangladeshi police have arrested a man who shaved his wife's head after finding a hair at breakfast, rights groups warned on Tuesday, as violence against women is escalating in the conservative country.

Police carried out raids in a village in the region of Guiporhat, northwest of the country, and arrested Pablo Mondel, (35 years), after villagers informed the police of the incident.

The local policeman Shahriar Khan: "He found a human hair on the meal of rice and milk prepared by his wife, Vsttk anger and blamed them, then took a blade and shaved her head hair by force."

The policeman said he was charged with "voluntarily causing severe harm" to Pablo, a crime punishable in the country to a maximum of 14 years in prison, as well as "scratching the modesty" of the 23-year-old wife.

Activists said the incident highlights growing violence against women in Bangladesh, despite existing laws to protect them from physical and sexual abuse.