Justice will remain elusive if rapists’ source of power not revealed, activists say
Women's rights activists have said justice will remain elusive in case of incidents like the gang-rape and torture of a woman in Noakhali's Begumganj if the perpetrators' source of power is not revealed.
The political backing of the perpetrators is the main reason behind widespread violence and injustice against women, not only in Noakhali but across the country, they said in a statement today.
A delegation of six noted rights activists yesterday went to Noakhali's Begumganj and exchanged views with a cross section of people including the Noakhali deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.
They are: Rahnuma Ahmed, writer, researcher and anthropologist; Bithi Ghosh, teacher and cultural activist; Jannatul Mawa, political activist and photographer; Mahfuza Haq, cultural and human rights activist; Shipra Bosh, development activist; and Taslima Akhter, organiser of workers and women's movement.
The delegation in their statement said that the victim will not get justice if the ongoing movement is limited to only demanding arrest and punishment of the perpetrators, adding that it is necessary to raise question and wage movement against the source of power of the perpetrators.
They also asked why it took so long for the Noakhali gang-rape incident to come to light.
During the views-exchange meeting, the delegation urged the Noakhali DC, SP and officer-in-charge of Begumganj Police Station to ensure safety of the gang-rape victim.
They also called upon all to wage a social movement across the country against all incidents of rape and repression against women.
Later, they visited the victim and ensured her of utmost support in her fight for justice.
Talking to the delegation, the victim demanded exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.
"If I am deprived of justice, not only me but women of the whole country will be defeated," she said.
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