Speech-impaired child ‘rape’ victim in critical condition

The seven-year-old flower seller is currently under intensive observation at the One-Stop Crisis Centre

A speech-impaired child from Bagmara Upazila in Rajshahi is fighting for her life after she was allegedly rape, according to medical professionals.

The seven-year-old flower seller was found in a bloodied state around 11pm on Monday outside Taherpur Degree College.

She was initially taken to the Bagmara Upazila Health Complex, but due to the deterioration of her condition, she was transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at approximately 3am.

The child is now receiving treatment at the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Shankar Kumar Biswas, a hospital spokesperson, said: “The child is being treated at the OCC. Her condition is critical, we have kept her under intensive observation.”

According to the victim’s uncle, the child used to collect flowers every afternoon and sell them at the local market. Her mother is deceased, and her father works as a rickshaw van driver.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the community.

Rajshahi District Additional Superintendent of Police Rafikul Islam said that several important pieces of evidence have already been recovered.

“The investigation is under way. We are working to identify the perpetrator and are hopeful of making an arrest very soon,” he added.

In protest, students from Taherpur Degree College and residents have taken to the streets, demanding the immediate arrest and punishment of the perpetrator.

Ariful Islam Arif, former president of the Taherpur Municipality unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said: “Such brutality against a disabled child is absolutely unacceptable. We demand justice. The perpetrator must be arrested right away.”