Human rights activists, students, teachers and guardians formed human chains and held rallies in front of 25 secondary schools in Barisal Sunday, protesting a recent assault on a school girl in the city.
The programme was organised by the Barisal regional branch of Bangladesh Shikkhak Samity.
A central human chain and rally was also held in front of Barisal Ashwini Kumar Hall, presided over by Dash Gupta Ashish Kumar, regional president of the Samity.
Among others, Mahila Parishad district unit Secretary Nurjahan Begum, Faridul Alam Jahangir, a regional leader of the Shikkhak Samity, Shahidul Islam, the father of the victim, Prof M Moazzem Hossain, Advocate AK Azad, Akkas Hossain, and Dr Habibur Rahman addressed the programme.
The speakers alleged that Rumman, a student of Barisal Government BM College, had been teasing Mariam Aktar Swarna, a class-ten student of Sagordi Union Secondary School since long.
Being refused, Rumman along with his group severely chopped Swarna on her way to tuition on August 7, the speakers alleged.
The father of the victim filed a case with the Kotwali police station, accusing 5 people of the crime. However, speakers at the programme alleged that prime suspect Rumman has not yet been arrested because of police negligence.
The participants demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment against the attackers, and proper treatment and rehabilitation for the victim.
Rumman’s mother Runa Begum, and uncle Kamal Hossain have been arrested, while police are trying to nab the other suspects, Investigation Officer of the case Sub-Inspector Sumon Haldar said.