14-year-old allegedly raped in Cox’s Bazar missionary compound

A 14-year-old girl from Bandarban was allegedly raped inside a missionary compound at Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

The incident occurred on Friday night at the Hebron Mission compound during a political programme of Awami League’s Bandarban-Lama upazila unit, reports our Bandarban correspondent quoting police.

One Shimul Barua (30), was arrested and handed over to Chakaria Police Station in connection with the case, said Oppela Raju Naha, officer-in-charge of Lama Police Station.

The authorities at the missionary hostel said they felt pressured to give permission for the programme. “We didn’t want to but we complied due to pressure from ruling party leaders,” Minaty Tripura, superintendent of the hostel, was quoted as saying. 

There are around 150 students including 74 female students in the hostel and most are feeling worried and scared following the incident.

Primary investigation revealed excessive use of force on the student, Dr Md Robin of Lama upazila health complex said. “She has been referred to Bandarban Sadar Hospital,” the doctor added.

Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Bir Bahadur U Shwe Sing was the chief guest of the programme during which the incident occurred.

Vice President of Lama upazila unit AL Mostafa Jamal said the minister was present during the programme.

“We had arranged our upazila unit committee’s programme and a picnic in the hostel area. It is unfortunate that such an untoward incident happened there,” Mostafa said.