Teachers and students of Jagannath University (JnU) formed a human chain demanding swift justice and exemplary punishment for the rape and murder of nine-year-old Maimuna in Brahmanbaria.
The protest was organized at 1:30pm on Monday, at the university’s Shanto Chattar by the Brahmanbaria District Student Welfare Council of JnU.
Speaking at the human chain, AKM Rakib, president of the JnU Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, said: “Those who commit heinous crimes like rape are mentally perverse. In my opinion, the root of the problem lies in the weakness of the state’s justice system. Although the punishment for rape is the death penalty, the failure to enforce it is leading to a rise in such crimes. The death penalty must be carried out publicly to prevent such offences.”
Munna, a student of the Department of Bangla, said: “The killers of Maimuna must be arrested and brought to justice within the next 24 hours. If the government fails to do so, we will launch a movement demanding the resignation of the home affairs adviser.”
Professor Dr Nasir Uddin of the Department of History said: “Even after 53 years of independence, such brutal treatment of children is unacceptable. I urge the caretaker government to ensure the safety of every woman and child in the country. We want to see swift justice in this case.”
On July 6, police recovered the lifeless body of Maimuna from the roof of a mosque in Sarail upazila. A scarf was found wrapped around her neck. Preliminary investigations suggest that she was raped and then murdered.
