Rights activists yesterday demanded that the government immediately identify and punish the culprits, who allegedly raped a Marma girl and sexually assaulted her sister in Rangamati on January 22.

They also demanded security for the victims and their family, claiming that law enforcers have put the sisters in confinement since February 15. The demands came at a protest rally organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Nari Network in front of Bangladesh National Museum in the capital.

Speaking at the rally, its Coordinator Falguni Tripura alleged, “Some law enforcers on February 15 took away the sisters from Rangamati Sadar Hospital, where they were undergoing treatment."

“Later, they [security forces] confined the girls along with their parents to a house in Rangamati town,” she said, while reading out a written statement.

“We demand immediate release of the sisters and their parents...” she said, urging steps to ensure rehabilitation for the girls.

The network Member Secretary Chanchana Chakma said, “Such incidents should not occur... in a civilised country like Bangladesh. We want justice and exemplary punishment for the culprits,” she said.

No case was filed in this regard, but Bilaichhari police filed a general diary (GD) following a court order and amid widespread protests and condemnation by rights activists and social media users.