CHT student groups protest in Dhaka over rape, custody death

Student organisations from the Chittagong Hill Tracts held a protest rally on Friday afternoon at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University, condemning recent incidents of army violence and demanding justice for a rape victim and a detained youth who died in custody.

The protest was sparked by two recent incidents: the rape of a Tripura teenage girl at Bhaibon Chhari in Khagrachhari, and the death of a Bom youth in prison after being detained on suspicion of involvement with the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). Protesters alleged that the army had baton-charged students demonstrating peacefully and unlawfully detained several of them. 

Speakers at the rally called for the immediate arrest of the rapist(s), the highest possible punishment for those responsible, and an end to the ongoing oppression against ethnic communities, particularly the Bom people.

Many speakers expressed frustration that the promises of the July 2024 mass uprising remain unfulfilled.

“Even after one year, the hopes of the July uprising have not materialised,” said Janoki Chisim, a representative of the Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad. She also stressed that justice should be ensured for all rape victims across the country, not just those from the Hill Tracts.

Dipok Shil, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, echoed similar sentiments. He urged Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to ensure justice for all citizens, warning against favouring particular groups. Shil also reminded the audience that ethnic student organisations had played a vital role in the success of last year’s uprising.

Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad, Dhaka University Jumma Students’ Family, Parbatya Chattogram Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Hill Women’s Federation, Bangladesh Marma Students’ Council, and Tripura Students’ Forum were part of the protest programme.

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