Several indigenous organisations demonstrated in the capital yesterday demanding quick trial and tougher punishment in the incidents of sexual assaults and rape of women and children.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum organised a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar demanding exemplary punishment to the culprits who gang raped a Garo woman in the capital on May 21.
They also asked the government to ensure security of all the indigenous women and taking responsibility of the victims.
Garo Student Union, Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Ain O Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Udichi Shilpigosthi, and Nari Pakkha expressed solidarity with the forum’s demands.
Rights activist Khushi Kabir condemned irresponsibility of the police saying that such attitude help recurrence of rape and sexual harassment.
She said the police arrest rapists when the higher authorities give them green signal. “Otherwise they do not act to arrest the perpetrators.”
Dhaka University teacher Prof Mesbah Kamal said even though the state head is a woman, the state policy is not women-friendly. He urged the prime minister to take all responsibilities of the Garo woman.
Cultural activist Mamunur Rashid said perpetrators who assaulted indigenous women at Jahangirnagar University, in the capital’s Mohammadpur and Kuril must be punished to stop aggression on women.
Jouno Nipiron Birodhi Nirdolio Chhatra Jote, a non-partisan students’ alliance against sexual harassment, has announced to hold a march towards the Prime Minister’s Office and submission of a memorandum today.
They demanded that rape cases are dealt by speedy trial tribunals.
Meanwhile, Garo Students’ Union has announced to hold a mock gallows for rapists on June 2.
Bangladesh Chhatra Union also organised a rally at TSC yesterday demanding immediate arrest of the perpetrators responsible for sexually assaulting women and children across the country including during the Pohela Boishakh celebrations.
