Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) yesterday strongly condemned the rape and murder of a school girl in Khagrachhari and demanded exemplary punishment for the criminals.

Though murder, abduction and violence against women are happening frequently in the CHT, no effective steps were taken by the local administration and the government, said a CHTC statement.

It is a blatant example of the culture of impunity at state level, the statement added.

The CHTC expressed deep concern over the nonchalant attitude of the government and the local administration.

Ten-year-old Kritika Tripura Purna, a class V student at Noimail Government Primary School, was murdered, allegedly after rape, in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari on Saturday.

In another statement, human rights organisation Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), expressed deep shock and concern over the rape and murder of the minor and demanded exemplary punishment of the perpetrators through proper investigation.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, in the statement said between January and June, 23 incidents including four murders, rape, gang rape and sexual harassment in the three districts of the CHT proves that indigenous children and women are facing serious violation of human rights -- a situation that is not acceptable under any circumstances.

MJF thinks sexual violence on indigenous women and children has been increasing alarmingly as perpetrators are not getting exemplary punishment and there is a lack of accountability.

Among other organisations, Pahari Chhatra Parishad of Dighinala upazila unit, Hill Women's Federation and WE Can also demanded exemplary punishment for the murder.