A group of 41 citizens, including rights activists, journalists, university professors, lawyers, and cultural activists, issued a joint press statement on Tuesday, condemning the rape of a Marma girl in Khagrachari and the subsequent violence that resulted in the deaths of at least three national minority community members.
Referring to the September 28鈥檚 violence, which left at least 30 national minority people injured and three killed, they said that there were allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies, including the army.
鈥楴o security force is above the rule of law and human rights,鈥� the statement reminded, adding that anyone involved in the use of excessive force 鈥� including members of the military 鈥� must be held accountable. The culture of impunity must end immediately.
The signatories outlined a nine-point demand, which included an immediate and transparent investigation into the rape incident; exemplary punishment for the perpetrators, along with protection for the victim and her family; formation of an independent commission to investigate allegations of excessive force used by law enforcement; a fair trial for those involved in the violence; a review of the long-standing 鈥榤ilitarisation policy鈥� in the hill regions as well as a push for a peaceful, political resolution to the ongoing issues in the area.
The signatories included renowned photographer Shahidul Alam, lawyer Sara Hossain, journalist Saydia Gulrukh, Dhaka University professor Moshahida Sultana, cultural activist Bithi Ghosh, singer Farzana Wahid Shayan, and rights activist Nafiul Alam Shupto.
Three national minority community people were killed and several dozens, including security personnel, were injured and at least 100 shops, houses, and even vehicles, most of which belong to the national minority people, were set on fire as violence erupted in Khagrachari on September 28 amid a road blockade there protesting at the rape of a 12-year-old Marma girl.
Three Bengali youths allegedly raped the Marma girl while she was returning home from tuition in Khagrachari鈥檚 Singinala on September 23, which sparked protests across the country.
