Indigenous girl's rape sparks protest

Bangladesh Marma Students Council (BMSC) demanded immediate arrest and trial of the criminals who gang-raped a 17-year-old girl in Bandarban town on Friday night.

The protesters marched around the district town and later formed a human chain in the press club area yesterday. They also called on the administration to initiate proper investigation.

Lusai Mong Marma, president of BMSC's district unit, and U Chi Nu Marma, secretary of the unit, among others, spoke at the human chain.

Meanwhile, a Bandarban court yesterday granted three-day remand for Kajol Barua, one of the criminals who allegedly raped the girl.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Md Abu Hanif passed the order after police submitted a petition seeking five-day remand of the arrestee, said Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bandarban Sadar Police Station.

The victim is from the Marma community and an SSC examinee of Ruma Government High School.

Four unidentified men raped the girl in Rowangchhari bus station area of the town on Friday when she and her boyfriend were going home after attending the Rajpunyah festival.

Police are raiding different areas to arrest the other culprits, the OC added.