Published : 27 Sep 2025, 01:55 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:51 PM
A rally has been held in Khagrachhari protesting the “continued violence” against women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with demonstrators calling for a dawn-to-dusk road blockade on Saturday.
On Friday morning, under the banner of “Jum Chhatra-Janata”, a procession started from Khagrachhari Government College. It continued through Chengi Square, Mahajan Para, Shapla Chattar and Bhanga Bridge before returning to Chengi Square for a rally.
Speakers said incidents of sexual violence and rape in the hills persist due to a culture of impunity, allowing perpetrators to repeatedly escape accountability.
They added that the turnout at the rally reflected the people’s rejection of such crimes. The movement that began in September last year is still alive, they said.
The demonstrators called for unity against violence on women in the CHT and demanded safety for Jum women.
Kobita Chakma, organiser of Jum Chhatra-Janata, said: “On Tuesday, one of our sisters was raped. We are rallying to demand justice for her. Every rape case in the Chittagong Hill Tracts must be tried.”
From the rally, Jumma Chhatra-Janata announced a daylong blockade in Khagrachhari district on Saturday.
Earlier on Tuesday, a schoolgirl in Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila was raped on her way home after private tuition.
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man, Shayon Shil, in connection with the case and taken him into custody to be interrogated for six days.
Two other accused remain in hiding.
In protest against the incident, Jum Chhatra-Janata enforced a half-day road blockade in the town on Thursday.
