Section 144 imposed in Khagrachhari! Morning-evening blockade to protest the rape of a schoolgirl

The entire district is in a state of shock over the gang rape of a schoolgirl in Marma in Khagrachhari. Road communication within and outside the district has been blocked due to the morning-evening blockade that began at 5 am on Saturday (September 27) under the banner of 'Jumma Chhatra-Janta'. Hundreds of vehicles coming from different districts including Dhaka have been stranded, thousands of tourists are in trouble.

The blockaders have created obstacles by burning tires, throwing tree trunks and bricks on the Khagrachhari-Chittagong, Khagrachhari-Rangamati, Khagrachhari-Dighinala and Khagrachhari-Sajek roads. Protests have taken place at various places including Mahalchhari, Panchhari, Chengi Setu, Bhaibonchhara, Gachabagan.
Transport has been completely blocked at the entrances of the tourist hubs Sajek and Khagrachhari towns. Autorickshaws and motorcycles are plying in the city on a limited scale. Efforts are underway to rescue stranded tourists with the help of the army.

Around 11:30 am, 15-20 unidentified people attacked an ambulance bound for Chittagong from Panchhari. The front and rear windows were vandalized, but no major damage was caused.

Abdul Baten Mridha, OC of Khagrachari Sadar Police Station, said that no major untoward incident occurred despite burnt tires and tree trunks being thrown at the blockade point. Police and army personnel are present in the field to control security. The administration has imposed Section 144 for an indefinite period.

The schoolgirl was gang-raped on Tuesday night in the Singinala area while returning home after taking a private bus. Locals rescued her unconscious around 11 pm. A young man was arrested and remanded for six days. Protests began on Wednesday in protest, and after a half-day blockade on Thursday, a morning-evening blockade program was announced from a rally on Friday.