Half-Day Road Blockade in Khagrachhari Over Teenage Girl’s Gang Rape

In Khagrachhari, a half-day blockade is underway today (Thursday) demanding justice for the gang rape of a teenage girl. The blockade began at 6:00 am and is scheduled to continue until 12:00 noon. As a result, tourists heading toward Sajek and Khagrachhari from Dhaka and other parts of the country have been stranded.

The protest was called by a group named Jumma Chhatra-Jonota on Wednesday, with demands for the arrest of those involved and stronger measures for women’s safety. Due to the blockade, traffic has been suspended on the Dhaka–Khagrachhari, Chattogram–Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari–Rangamati, and Khagrachhari–Sajek routes.

This morning around 6:30 am, demonstrators were seen burning tires and placing tree logs across roads at various locations, including Chenghi Bridge, Swanirvar, Perachhara, Technical School area, Four Mile and Nine Mile points. While large vehicles remained halted, a few smaller ones like auto-rickshaws were seen moving under limited conditions. Police removed some obstructions in a few places.

Despite it being the weekly market day in Khagrachhari town, hill residents were notably absent from the bazaar.

Tourists Left Stranded

Many tourists have been stuck in the district town due to the blockade. A group of young men, including Arman and Sajjad from Dhaka, said they were unaware of the protest beforehand. They only learned about it during a stopover in Cumilla. The group of eight had booked hotels in Sajek a week earlier but now cannot travel.

Locals too have been inconvenienced. Amar Jyoti Chakma, waiting at Nensi Bazar in Dighinala, said he was headed for Merung, about 15 km away, but has been waiting at the station since morning because no vehicles are running.

Protesters’ Stand and Police Response

Ukkyenu Marma, one of the student organizers, said the blockade has so far been peaceful. At a few spots, police doused burning tires, but no clashes took place. He also announced that a large rally against rape and violence against women will be held in Khagrachhari town on Friday.

Abdul Baten Mridha, Officer-in-Charge of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station, confirmed that except for a few tires set on fire, no untoward incidents occurred. Tourist buses coming from Dhaka were escorted under police protection, and law enforcement remains on high alert.

The Incident

The protests come after a teenage girl was allegedly gang-raped on Tuesday night while returning from private tuition. Her family said she usually went for lessons in the evening and returned home by 9:00 pm. When she did not come back on time, her parents went to the teacher’s home, where they learned classes had already ended as usual.

Family members and locals then searched the area. Around 11:00 pm, they found her unconscious in a field and rushed her to Khagrachhari District Hospital. Police later detained one suspect in connection with the incident.

The girl’s father told reporters that what happened was beyond comprehension, as his daughter had been following the same routine for months. He demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators.