BNP's Rizvi demands exemplary punishment for Magura ‘child rapists’

"Today, the number of rape incidents have gone up. Women aren't safe at all. There's no guarantee whether your daughter will return from school safe and sound or violated," he says

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has demanded exemplary punishment for the alleged child rapists in Magura as soon as possible.

The BNP senior joint secretary general spoke at a meeting before the rally organised by the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal – the party’s unit for women - on Monday.

"Reiterating Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas, I too, want to tell the government to ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators [of the Magura child rape case]. The example must send a chill down the spines of other rapists and criminals," he said.

‘‘This is the matter of the law. This is why we struggled for 15 years. This is why so many sacrifices were made and another criminal prime minister Sheikh Hasina was thrown out of the country."

"Today, the number of rape incidents have gone up. Women aren't safe at all. There's no guarantee whether your daughter will return from school safe and sound or violated," Rizvi said.

He said everyone, including people yearning for democracy, political parties, and anti-discrimination student protesters, and student organisations should unite to stand against the criminals.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman took the responsibility to provide legal help to the child victim in Magura to ensure justice, he said.

The meeting was held near the BNP central office in Naya Paltan before a rally to protest the incident. The rally organised by the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal ended after reaching Naya Paltan via Nightingale Restaurant intersection in Kakrail.

‘WHO COMPRISES THE ADMINISTRATION?’

Rizvi said, “Now we have an interim government and not an autocrat. Then why are these incidents still happening? Who comprises the administration? We said many times that rape, murder, crime and corruption would never spread if the administration is proper.”

‘‘During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, many people were deprived [of deserved facilities]. Many of them have been promoted. Some received a double promotion. You should not have grudges anymore. Then why can’t the administration make its authority felt at the root level? It’s a big question. This responsibility will fall on the interim government.”

‘DEATH PENALTY FOR RAPISTS’

Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas urged the government to ensure justice for the child in Magura.

“We want a trial for the child’s sister’s mother-in-law as well. She is a blight on all women. Because of women like her, we - the other women of society - are insulted. I believe this woman should be hanged. We also want the death penalty for the child’s brother-in-law and his father.”

She questioned why the authorities would need 180 days or three months to complete the investigation. There were reports, the child’s sister was a witness, and her mother-in-law was also there, Afroza said.

“I believe the rapists should be hanged in three days. If these perpetrators are not punished quickly, then the case will be delayed and there’ll more incidents like this.”

“Ensure justice as soon as possible. There were more incidents of rape in the last few days. We need justice in the Magura child case or else these incidents will continue to happen. I found that yesterday in Yemen, they executed two convicts publicly in a child rape case. Thousands of people witnessed the execution.”

‘‘I hope the Magura rapists will be hanged in front of the entire nation. We don’t want the trial to take place inside the jail, but it should be public.”

‘STUDENTS SHOULD BE ON CAMPUSES’

Rizvi said he heard that students went to the DC office, SP office, different ministries, and gave orders to the deputy commissioners or police superintendents. “We’re grateful to the students of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, and will never forget their contributions. But when they give directives to the DCs and SPs on what to do, how can the government implement laws?”

‘‘If the DCs and SPs do anything wrong, you protest while staying on the campus. You should have books in your hands. You should work towards strengthening the education system in the country. I would request the Anti-discrimination students to hold protests at campuses. Your job is not to go the DCs’ rooms or ministries to monitor.”