Rape of hill girls triggers protest at Shahbagh

Three women’s rights platforms formed a human chain in front of Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka's Shahbagh this morning demanding immediate arrests and exemplary punishment of all the perpetrators who raped two indigenous girls in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) this month.

On June 17, a Marma teenage girl was killed after being raped allegedly by four Bangalee youths in Lalmai upazila. Another teenage Tripura girl, on June 21, was gang-raped allegedly by a group of Bangalee youths in Khagrachhari.

The one-hour human chain which started at 10:30am was jointly organised by Hill Women’s Federation, Bangladesh Adivasi Nari Network and Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sangha to press home their six-point demand.

Among their six-point demands, the protesters urged the government to take immediate steps to stop the harassment of hill women and ensure their security.

Falguni Tripura coordinator of Bangladesh Adibashi Nari Network said that due to impunity there is no justice in this country. "I am urging the government to take immediate steps to ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits".

Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi forum, expressed similar concern by saying that people of minority groups especially the women don't get justice.

Different organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) also supported the cause.