Road blockade underway in Khagrachhari over schoolgirl gang rape

A dawn-to-dusk road blockade is underway in Khagracchari on Saturday, September 27, in protest against the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl and demanding the arrest of those involved in the incident.

The blockade, enforced by protesters under the banner of Jumma Chhatra-Janata, began at 6:00am and will continue to 6:00pm, suspending vehicular movement.

The supporters of the blockade have been picketing throughout the district since the early hours.

They set tyres on fire and placed tree branches on the roads in Chengi Bridge and Stadium areas in the town, and Baillachhari Joutha Khamar area in Guimara upazila.

The suspension of vehicular movement caused immense suffering to people, particularly tourists visiting the district.

However, no untoward incidents have been reported anywhere during the blockade, senior assistant superintendent of police Quazi Wazed Ali said, adding that police personnel are deployed at the ket points to maintain law and order.

A schoolgirl was reportedly gang raped on the way home from private tuition around 9:00pm on Tuesday, September 23. At about 11:00pm on the day, relatives found her unconscious in a field.

The police detained a teenage boy named Shayan Shil, 19, in connection with the gang rape.