Impartial probe demanded

Speakers at a human chain programme in the hill district town yesterday demanded impartial investigation for the alleged assault on Chakma Rani Yan Yan and female volunteers at Rangamati Sadar Hospital on February 15 and rape and sexual harassment of two Marma sisters on January 22.

The human chain was formed under the banner of Sammilito Nari Somaj in front of Rangamati district Shilpakala Academy beside Rangamati-Chittagong highway.

Nirupa Dewan, convener of Sammilito Nari Somaj and former member of National Human Rights Commission, Tuku Talukder, president of Narir Proti Sahingsata Protirodh Committee's Rangamati unit, and Daw Nai Prue Naly, coordinator of Women Resource Network's Bandarban district unit, addressed the programme, among others.

Where Chakma Queen Yan Yan is not safe, overall security of the indigenous people in Chittagong Hill Tracts region can be imagined, speakers said.

Two Marma sisters, aged 18 and 13, were admitted to Rangamati Sadar Hospital on January 22 after the elder one was allegedly raped and the other sexually assaulted during a drive by security forces at Orachari village in Bilaichari upazila.

Following a writ petition filed by the girls' father, a High Court bench on February 13 ordered the authorities concerned of the government and Rangamati Sadar Hospital to hand over the girls to their parents.

A police team accompanied by the parents of the two sisters went to the hospital on February 15 and handed them over their parents.

The two sisters refused to go with them, as they were worried about their safety, according to witnesses.

As a group of volunteers, who had been looking after the welfare of the two sisters at the hospital, and Chakma Circle Queen Yan Yan protested the police move, a group of masked men attacked the queen and the volunteers, speakers said at yesterday's human chain.

Later the organisers of the programme submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through the Rangamati deputy commissioner, demanding punishment of the culprits for rape and sexual harassment of two Marma sisters and attack on Chakma Queen and female volunteers.