Rape of eighth grader: Dawn-to-dusk road blockade paralyses Khagrachhari

A dawn-to-dusk road blockade is underway in Khagrachhari today protesting the gang-rape of an eighth-grade girl.

The programme enforced under the banner of "Jumma Chhatra-Janata" began at 5:00am, disrupting traffic on the Chattogram–Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari–Rangamati and Khagrachhari–Sajek roads.

Protesters set tyres on fire and placed tree trunks on the roads at different parts of the district.

Around 6:30am, no long-haul buses were seen operating in Khagrachhari town due to the blockade. Tourist jeeps and other vehicles were also off the roads. However, auto-rickshaws and motorcycles were moving around Shapla Chattar, where some tourists arriving overnight from Dhaka were stranded.

Photo: Joyanti Dewan

One of the stranded tourists, Mohammad Malek, said, "We arrived early in the morning and then came to know about the blockade. We had planned to go to Sajek today, and we had booked rooms two weeks ago."

Ukyenu Marma, spokesperson of Jumma Chhatra-Janata, said, "So far, the pre-announced blockade is continuing peacefully. We urge everyone to observe it without creating any unrest."

Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Baten Mridha said, "A few tyres were burnt and some barricades were placed, but no untoward incidents have occurred. Some buses from Dhaka reached the town under police escort. Police are on alert."

The rape incident occurred on September 23 when the teenage girl was allegedly gang-raped while returning from private tuition around 9:00pm. Her relatives found her unconscious in a crop field around 11:00pm and admitted her to Khagrachhari General Hospital.

Police have since arrested one suspect, who has been placed on a six-day remand by a court.

The victim's father filed a case on September 24 with Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station against three unidentified men.