A protest rally was held in Chattogram on Saturday demanding justice for 11-year-old Shrabonti, who was raped and murdered in the city’s Lalkhan Bazar area earlier this month.
The demonstration took place at Lalkhan Bazar intersection under Khulshi police station, organised under the banner of “people from all walks of life.” Protesters condemned the brutal crime and called for the swift and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the killing, which occurred on the night of January 3.
The rally began at around 3:30 pm with spontaneous participation from residents of Lalkhan Bazar and other parts of Chattogram city. It was moderated by Arpita Nath, finance secretary of the Chattogram city unit of the Socialist Students’ Front.
Speakers from various political, social, and cultural organisations strongly criticised what they described as a culture of impunity surrounding rape and murder cases. They demanded a fair and speedy trial in Shrabonti’s case and urged authorities to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice.
Several speakers alleged that administrative negligence and weaknesses in the justice process have contributed to growing insecurity in society, particularly for women and children. They pointed out that since the July uprising, multiple rape cases have failed to see proper and visible judicial outcomes, further deepening public distrust in the system.
The protesters called for the formation of special tribunals to ensure the rapid disposal of rape and violence-against-women cases, protection for victims’ families, and effective state measures to prevent such crimes in the future.
Among those who addressed the rally were Asma Akter, president of Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra’s Chattogram district unit and Basad (Marxist)–nominated parliamentary candidate for Chattogram-10; Deepa Majumder, a district-level leader of the same organisation and Basad (Marxist) nominee for Chattogram-11; student activist and founder of intellectual platform Dargah, Nure Abrar Razin; central coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Saiful Iqbal; teacher Nitish Nath of the Shaheed Rumi Squad; former Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Chowdhury Siam Elahi; and Puspita Nath, vice-president of the Socialist Students’ Front Chattogram city unit.
Speakers warned that protests would continue until justice is ensured not only for Shrabonti but for all women and children facing violence across the country.
