Jatiya Nari Shakti has expressed deep concern and issued a sharp protest over the rape and brutal murder of an eight-year-old child in Pallabi, alongside three other child rape cases reported nationwide within a single 24-hour period.
The organisation described these atrocities as a horrific reflection of society,” adding that women and children are currently suffering from extreme insecurity in both their homes and schools.
In addition to the Pallabi case, the group highlighted the rape of a six-year-old in Natore and a fifth-grade student in Thakurgaon.
According to Jatiya Nari Shakti, this situation is the direct result of a failure in the law and order system and a prevailing culture of impunity. They noted that the occurrence of four incidents of child abuse within 24 hours serves as evidence of negligence on the part of the police and administration.
In a formal list of demands, the organisation called for the immediate arrest of all perpetrators and the commencement of trials in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal.
They insisted that these legal proceedings must be concluded within 90 working days, seeking the maximum penalty of the death sentence to serve as an exemplary deterrent against such “barbarism.”
The group further urged the state to provide the victims’ families with security, free legal aid, mental health services, and appropriate compensation. They emphasised that the state holds the responsibility to ensure these families do not face any form of social harassment.
To prevent future occurrences, Jatiya Nari Shakti proposed the formation of a special task force to prevent rape, intensified police patrols in high-risk areas, and the enhancement of One-Stop Crisis Centres to make them more effective and “victim-friendly.”
The organisation issued a stern warning to the government, administration, and judiciary to take immediate and effective action. Failure to do so, they stated, would force them to launch “stringent programmes on the streets” alongside other concerned citizens.
