The entire nation has been left in deep shock and mourning following the brutal killing of a seven-year-old girl in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. Grief has engulfed her family, teachers, and classmates while her parents remain inconsolable over the devastating loss of their only daughter.
On Thursday morning, the girl’s father Abdul Hannan Molla visited his daughter’s classroom at Popular Model School in Mirpur where she studied in Class Two. The girl had consistently performed at the top of her class, securing second place in playgroup and KG and ranking first in class one.
Entering the classroom filled with children of his daughter’s age, he broke down in tears and embraced her classmates. His tears created a deeply heartbreaking atmosphere across the entire classroom. Her classmates, struggling to hold back tears, said she would never be forgotten and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Teachers and students of the school later formed a protest rally in Pallabi, carrying banners “We demand justice” calling for swift and strict punishment for the perpetrators.
Protesters blocked roads in Mirpur on Thursday afternoon, demanding the maximum punishment for those involved in the rape and murder of seven-year-old girl.
The demonstrators staged the blockade at Mirpur 10 and 12, bringing traffic on the stretch to a standstill.
During the protest, they chanted slogans such as “Justice, justice, we want justice,” “We demand justice,” “Why was our sister killed,” “Destroy the den of criminals,” and “We demand death penalty for the accused,” among others.
Inside the family home, the girl’s academic trophies now stand as silent reminders of her short but promising life. Her elder sister repeatedly looked at the awards and spoke of her sister’s dedication and brilliance in studies.
Public anger over the incident has also spilled onto the streets. Residents gathered outside the family home and later staged demonstrations at Pallabi Police Station, expressing outrage and demanding the harshest punishment. Many voiced grave concerns over child safety, saying that insecurity has now become a daily fear for families.
The protest movement has spread beyond the capital, with human chain demonstrations and rallies reported in several districts. In the child’s ancestral village in Sherpur, local volunteers under the banner of “Aajker Tarunno” also held protests demanding the maximum punishment for those responsible.
Police recovered the slain child’s body from a flat in Pallabi on Tuesday and later found additional remains from a bathroom in the same residence.
A murder case was subsequently filed at Pallabi Police Station. Authorities initially detained the wife of the main suspect, Swapna Akter, before arresting the primary accused, Sohail Rana.
Following his arrest, Sohel Rana reportedly gave a confessional statement in court, admitting to the killing after the alleged assault.
The incident has reignited nationwide outrage and intensified calls for stronger child protection measures and the swift delivery of justice.