A road blockade called under the banner of “Jumma Chhatra Janata” is underway in Khagrachhari, protesting the gang-rape of a hill teenage girl.
Vehicular movement in the town has remained suspended since Sunday morning, with most shops shuttered. Law enforcement personnel are patrolling key points of the town, while seven platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed to maintain order.
A day earlier, on Saturday, clashes broke out between hill and Bengali groups centering on the blockade. To control the situation, the local administration imposed Section 144 in the Khagrachhari Sadar upazila, municipality area, and Guimara upazila. However, Jumma leaders alleged that attacks on their supporters continued even after the restrictions were enforced. In protest, they announced an indefinite blockade to press home four-point demands.
The four demands include:
* Arrest and exemplary punishment of the remaining two suspects involved in the gang-rape
* Justice for those who attacked the Jumma student gathering
* Proper medical treatment for the injured protesters
* Formation of a judicial probe committee into the attacks
Dipayen Tripura, spokesperson for Jumma Students and People, said that emergency service vehicles would not be obstructed during the blockade.
“The program is being observed peacefully in support of the public’s demand for justice,” he said.
Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdul Baten said the overall situation in the town remained calm, with no incidents of picketing reported so far. However, in some upazila areas, protesters blocked roads by burning tires and placing tree trunks.
The gang-rape incident took place on Tuesday night when the teenage girl was returning home after private tuition. She was later found unconscious and taken to the hospital. Police have arrested one suspect, Shayon Shil, who has been placed on a six-day remand.
Since the incident became public, protests demanding justice have been held in Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Tension flared further during Saturday’s blockade in Khagrachhari.
(FP/MI)
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