As news of the assault spread, a mob confined the accused in a madrasa building and carried out extensive vandalism. When police arrived to intervene, the situation escalated as the angry crowd demanded the suspect be handed over to them, pelting officers with brickbats. Police personnel remained besieged inside the building for approximately six hours.
At approximately 10:15 pm, taking advantage of a power outage, police attempted to move the accused into their custody. This sparked further fury among the protesters, who set fire to a police vehicle and blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway by burning tyres.
To bring the situation under control, police deployed tear gas shells, sound grenades, and fired blank shots. Several people, including police officers, protesters, and journalists, were injured during the skirmishes.
The victim is currently receiving treatment at the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Her grandmother reported that while her physical condition is showing slight improvement, the child remains severely traumatised. “This heinous incident is unacceptable,” she said, calling for exemplary punishment to ensure the safety of children.
The accused, Monir Hossain, is a married man with two children of his own. A video has since circulated on social media appearing to show him confessing to the crime. Local residents have demanded his execution, citing a lack of speedy trials as a reason for the rise in such crimes.
Several journalists were also injured by rubber bullets fired by police while covering the events. One reporter was hit in the waist and others in the hands and legs while live-streaming the unrest on Facebook. They are currently undergoing treatment at CMCH.
Hossein Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, Deputy Commissioner (South) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), stated that the situation is now under administrative control. He confirmed the accused is in custody and assured that the maximum legal measures would be taken to ensure appropriate punishment.
