Khagrachhari schoolgirl rape sparks indigenous Mro protest in Chimbuk hills

Our Correspondent, Bandarban

Hundreds of indigenous Mro people staged a protest in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts on Wednesday over the rape of a schoolgirl in Khagrachhari, decrying authorities for failing to uphold justice and allowing impunity to endure.

The demonstration was convened in Chimbuk this morning, moderated by Riyoung Mro.

Protesters cited a string of attacks in recent months, including the rape of a schoolgirl in Khagrachhari and the gang-rape and murder of 29-year-old indigenous Khyang woman Chingma in Thanchi, Bandarban, on 5 May 2025.

Chingma, a mother of three, was found with severe injuries, her eyes gouged out, and her body covered in blood.

They also raised concerns over what they said was the long-running dispossession of indigenous land.

“We denounce the rape in Khagrachhari and the killings of our seven brothers despite Section 144 being imposed,” Riyoung Mro told the gathering.

He alleged that the medical report of the child victim, which stated “no evidence” of assault, was manipulated to protect perpetrators.

Other speakers pointed to the recent incidents as indicative of deep-rooted grievances over land rights and security.

“Tourists harass our women and girls, while those entrusted with our protection are often complicit in violence,” said Tumpao Mro.

Donwai Mro condemned the state, noting that many Mro villages remained without electricity despite power lines running across the hills.

He also criticised delays in the government’s investigation into the Khagrachhari case, saying the community was being denied justice.

Community representatives recounted past forced evictions, notably a 2007 operation that violently uprooted dozens of Mro villages in Chimbuk to establish a military firing range.

The protest ended with calls for stronger protections of indigenous rights, equal representation in local government, and guarantees of safety for women and children.