Rape of Eighth Grader: ‘Arrest, punish perpetrators’

A protest march and rally were held yesterday on Dhaka University campus, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the gang rape of an eighth-grade Jumma student in Khagrachhari, and protesting the arrest and assault of an indigenous student leader.

The programme, organised under the banner of Adivasi Chhatra Janata, took place at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture.

Speaking at the rally, Dipayan Khisa, central committee member of Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti, urged legal action against those who abducted and harmed protesters and criticised media narratives that portray indigenous people as criminals.

The rally was presided over by Numongpru Marma, president of Bangladesh Marma Students Council Dhaka Metropolitan branch, and chaired by Shantimoy Chakma, general secretary of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, DU branch.

It ended with a march around Shahbagh and back to the Raju Sculpture.

Meanwhile, in Khagrachhari, hundreds of students and indigenous community members held a mass rally protesting the rape and ongoing violence against women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Around 11:00am, a procession started from Khagrachhari Government College ground and paraded through Chengi Square, Mahajonpara, Narikelbagan, Shapla Chattar, Adalat Road and other streets before ending at Chengi Square. A rally was later held there.

At the rally, Ukkyenu Marma announced a road blockade in Khagrachhari today, demanding the arrest of the remaining two accused.

He said all programmes would be suspended during Durga Puja, but warned that if the accused are not arrested within the next few days, an indefinite hartal would be called after Puja.