Indigenous girl 'gang-raped' in Khagrachhari

A tenth grade student from the Tripura community was allegedly gang-raped by Bangali settlers at Zilla Parishad Park, near Khagrachari town at around 1:30pm, local police said.

The girl, along with three friends -- two boys and a girl --, had gone to the park to spend the evening.

At one point, a group of youths surrounded the victim and one of her male friends and drove the boy away.

They then allegedly raped the girl.

Her friends immediately informed local social workers who then called the police.

On receiving information, members of the police and army surrounded the park, picked up 20 people from the spot and took them to the Khagrachari Police Station.

Later, the victim identified four among them as the perpetrators and said there were three to four more.

The four arrested -- Babu, Mozammel, Anwar and Hridoy alias Rubel -- are all between 18-20 years old.

All four of them are also residents of the nearby South Gonjopara in the city.

Additional Superintendent of Police in Khagrachhari M Salaudin said the victim had been sent to the doctor for tests at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital after which a case would be filed based upon her complaint.

“We have arrested four and are looking for the others,” he said.

Chairman of Golabari Union Parishad confirmed incident of the gang-rape and that the girl was from the Tripura community. He also said he was in the police station to assist with the investigation.