Women, student orgs protest 'gang-rape, murder' of Khiyang woman in Bandarban
Members of various women's and social student organisations held a rally today (6 May) protesting the alleged gang rape and murder of a woman from the Khiyang community in Thanchi of Bandarban.
Yesterday afternoon, police recovered the body of 29-year-old Chingma Khiyang in a remote forested area, after she went missing the day before after heading out from her home in the hills near Tindu union.
Protesters at the rally, which concluded in front of the local press club, called for justice, proper investigation and immediate action against those involved in incidents of rape and murder of local women in the area.
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Meanwhile, the district administration organised a press conference around 11am today, where Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ara Rini said the victim's body has been sent for postmortem to confirm whether it was an accident or murder.
Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working to find out the exact cause of this unfortunate incident, Shamim Ara said.
"The administration and law enforcement agencies are working with utmost care. Necessary legal action will be taken after investigation."
Superintendent of Bandarban Police Shahidul Kausar said a team of Thanchi Police Station as well as the UP chairman went to the spot after being informed.
Describing the incident, the police official said yesterday morning, Chingma went to plant rice in a jhum field. When she did not return home, people in the neighbourhood, including her husband, started searching for her. At around 3:30pm, her body was found with injuries and bruises on her head and face.
"A postmortem report was prepared in the presence of a female police officer and the victim's mother-in-law. The report stated that wounds and injury marks were found on the victim's head and face. The police are working with utmost importance to unravel the mystery of this incident," said Shahidul.
The victim's husband has filed a case with Thanchi Police Station over the incident.
What protesters say
Usiching Khiyang, organiser of the Khiyang Students Union, said Chingma was a mother of three children. "She has a child of seven-eight years old. She was brutally murdered. Earlier, a Khiyang girl was recently raped in Rowangchhari and a Marma girl was raped in Kaukhali, Rangamati.
"As all these incidents are not properly investigated, there have been recurring incidents of rape and murder."
Bitanmoy Tanchangya, a member of the Bangladesh Tanchangya Welfare Forum, said, "Women do not have the same security as before. Especially due to outsiders coming in, such incidents are increasing compared to before."
Hill Women's Federation President Ulising Marma said there is a culture of impunity in the country. "As a result, incidents like rape of women are increasing in the hills too. Such incidents will continue to happen repeatedly until the perpetrators are arrested and given exemplary punishment. We must always be vocal against the criminals, demanding the safety of children and women."
Former student leader John Tripura said out of the eleven commissions that have been formed to protect citizens in the country after 5 August 2024, a class of people has risen up to target only the women's commission and cancel it. "The recommendations of the Women's Reform Commission should be given an opportunity to keep all women and children safe, regardless of religion or caste."
Executive Director of Ananya Kalyan Sangathan and human rights activist Donipra Marma Nelly said incidents of rape and murder cannot be stopped only by protesting. "Those responsible must be arrested immediately and given exemplary punishment."
