DHAKA: After three tribals were killed and hundreds were injured in the hill district of Khagrachhari in Bangladesh following the protests over the gang-rape of a schoolgirl, several human rights, cultural, and political groups demanded immediate investigations into the violence.
The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon at Ramesu Bazar in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari, where demonstrators under the banner of 'Jumma Chhatra Janata' clashed with law enforcement agencies while protesting the gang rape of the school girl, local media reported.
Confirming the deaths, Khagrachhari district Civil Surgeon Mohammad Sabre stated that three individuals were brought dead to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital on Sunday evening, after being transported from Guimara.
Additionally, in communal violence, 15 houses and 60 shops were set ablaze in the district, prompting widespread outrage from the public and human rights organisations.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), expressing outrage over the violent incident, questioned what crime the indigenous communities committed in voicing their legitimate demand for justice after the brutal assault of yet another young girl.
"Attempts to normalise the rape of indigenous women are not new. Why could the local administration and police under army authority not adopt timely and effective strategies to prevent this violence?" the rights body questioned.