Tensions flared in Bakalia area of Chattogram on Thursday afternoon following the alleged brutal rape of a three-year-old girl, triggering mass public outrage and violent confrontations with law enforcement.
The incident occurred at a residential building named “Bismillah Mansion” on Abu Jafar Road in the Chairman Ghat area of Bakalia.
According to local sources, the child was reportedly at home alone while her mother, a garment factory worker, and father, a rickshaw puller, were away at work.
Locals alleged that a 32-year-old man Monir, identified as a shop employee in the area, entered the residence and violated the child.
Public outrage and confrontation with police
Following the incident, residents detained the suspect and confined him inside a room within a local madrasa complex.
The situation escalated when police arrived to take the accused into custody. An agitated crowd reportedly blocked law enforcement officers, demanding immediate punitive action and refusing to hand over the suspect for legal proceedings.
Police attempted to disperse the crowd, including firing tear gas shells, but the situation further deteriorated.
Reinforcement efforts were later made with the involvement of local political figures, including representatives of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, who helped in attempts to calm the situation.
Eyewitnesses said the unrest led to multiple rounds of scuffles and physical confrontations between police and locals. At one stage, several police vehicles were forced to retreat as the situation went beyond immediate control.
Bakalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Solaiman said law enforcement had initially detained the accused but faced obstruction while trying to transport him.
“We detained the accused, Monir. However, locals obstructed us during the transfer. Despite using tear gas, the crowd could not be dispersed immediately. Efforts are ongoing to bring the situation under control,” he said.
“We want justice. We will ensure justice ourselves,” said Anowara Begum, a local resident protesting at the scene. “The culprit must not be released. If he is freed, he will commit more abuse in the future. We want a public trial and demand the death penalty.”
Large numbers of women, students, and teenagers joined the demonstration, openly chanting slogans and demanding immediate accountability for the accused.
There have been reports of protesters setting fire to police vehicles.
Victim’s condition critical
The victim has been admitted to the One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Doctors have described her condition as extremely critical.
As of the latest reports, public anger remains high in the area, while authorities continue efforts to safely bring the accused into the formal legal process.
Authorities said efforts are continuing to stabilise the situation and ensure the accused is brought under the formal legal process amid ongoing public anger in the area.
