Section 144 enforced in Khagrachhari amid day-long blockade protesting schoolgirl's rape
The protests were called demanding justice for the alleged gang rape, with demonstrators enforcing a day-long road blockade across the district
The Khagrachhari district administration on Saturday (27 September) enforced Section 144 in the municipality, Sadar upazila and Guimara upazila, citing risks to lives and property amid protests over the alleged gang rape of an eighth-grade schoolgirl.
Seven BGB platoons were deployed in Khagrachhari to maintain law and order, confirmed Lt Col Kamran Kabir Uddin, the battalion commander.
Earlier, locals staged a road blockade from morning until evening to demand justice for the incident, which has sparked widespread outrage in the area.
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The blockade, called by protesters under the banner of Jumma Chhatra-Janata, began at 5am and was scheduled to continue until 6pm.
At around 6pm, they lifted the blockade and cleared the area.
According to a notice signed by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Iftekharul Islam Khondaker, gatherings of five or more people, along with processions, rallies, and assemblies, have been prohibited from 2pm until further notice.
The administration said Section 144 had been imposed in Khagrachhari municipality and sadar upazila due to the "severe deterioration of law and order and the risk of harm to lives and property".
The administration has warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order.
The protests were called demanding justice for the alleged gang rape, with demonstrators enforcing a day-long road blockade across the district.
The group had announced the programme at a rally yesterday (26 September) following earlier demonstrations.
During the blockade, they set tyres on fire and erected barriers at several key points, including the entrance to Khagrachhari town in Chengi Bridge Union Parishad, Chengi Square, and Narayan Khaiya. Internal routes in Dighinala, Mahalchhari, and Panchhari were blocked using tree trunks, bricks, and burning tyres.
Picketing had also been reported on regional highways in Ramgarh, Manikchhari, and Guimara upazilas. As a result, many long-distance night coaches, including those from Dhaka, remain stranded at various points.
Earlier today, Abdul Baten Mridha, officer-in-charge of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station, told The Business Standard, "Although vehicles are being obstructed at various points, work is underway to remove the barriers. Police have been deployed at different locations."
The protests began on Wednesday (24 September), when Jumma Chhatra-Janata called for punishment of those allegedly involved in the gang rape of a girl in the Singinala area of Khagrachhari Sadar on Tuesday (23 September).
According to media reports, the victim's father said his daughter, an eighth-grader, went missing while returning from private tuition that day. Family members and locals later found her unconscious in a field around 11pm and the girl was taken to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital.
Police said a suspect, Shoyon Shil, was arrested with the assistance of the army and a court put him on a five-day remand, while efforts continue to apprehend others involved.
