Eighth grader raped in Barguna

A schoolgirl was raped allegedly by two cousins at Taktabunia village of Raugha union in Amtali upazila under Barguna.

The victim's grandmother filed a case with Amtali Police Station on Monday evening, accusing Imran Payda, 19, son of Bellal Payda, and Imran's cousin Zahidul Payda, 20, son of Khalil Payda, of Taktabunia village in Amtali.

The victim studies in Class VIII, staying at her grandmother's house.

As the girl went out of the house to respond to the call of nature around 10:00pm on Thursday, Imran and Zahidul forcibly took her to an empty room, tied her mouth with a piece of cloth and raped her, said family members and police.

Hearing her scream, neighbours rushed to the spot and rescued her.

The next day, one Liton Chowkider arranged an arbitration meeting and offered the victim and her grandmother Tk 30,000, telling them not to file any case in this regard.

Rejecting it, grandmother of the victim filed a case on Monday.

“Zahidul's uncle Rafique Payda tried to give me Tk 30,000 by force but I rejected it,” said the plaintiff of the case.

Liton Chowkider denied the matter of arranging arbitration at his house in this regard.

Md Monirul Islam, investigation officer of the case, said they sent the victim to Barguna Sadar Hospital for medical test yesterday morning.

“We conducted drives to arrest the accused but their houses were found locked as the accused with their family members fled after filing of the case,” he said.

Md Shaid Ullah, OC of Amtali Police Station said, “We are trying our best to arrest the accused. Legal steps will be taken after proper investigation.”