Thanchi (Bandarban), CHT News,
Sunday, May 25, 2026
A 5-year-and-5-month-old indigenous girl from the
Tripura community has been raped in Thanchi, Bandarban, sparking widespread
public outrage. The accused, Bijoy Barua, 16, a local vegetable seller, was
apprehended by residents of the Notun Para area and handed over to Thanchi
Police Station. Hundreds of angry locals subsequently gathered at the station,
demanding justice and severe punishment for the perpetrator.
The victim's father is employed at the Thanchi Upazila
Health Complex.
According to local sources, on Saturday afternoon, May
23, Bijoy Barua lured the young girl to a secluded location in the Notun Para
area of Thanchi Sadar Union and sexually assaulted her. That night, when the
child complained of pain and disclosed what had happened to her family, her
parents immediately confronted Barua, who failed to provide any explanation.
The following morning, Sunday May 24, local residents
detained Bijoy Barua and handed him over to police. Shortly after, a local
resident named Maung Sing U posted about the incident on Facebook, including a
photo of the accused. The post went viral, triggering widespread condemnation
across social media.
As news of the arrest spread, an agitated crowd
gathered at Thanchi Police Station around noon, demanding justice and strict
punishment for the accused. The situation quickly escalated when a Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB) unit arrived and, pointing weapons at the crowd, ordered them
to vacate the premises within one minute.
When the crowd refused to disperse, the BGB attempted
to drive them away by force, further inflaming tensions. People from all walks
of life then rallied together at the station, resulting in a direct standoff
between the public and the BGB. Protesters strongly condemned the BGB's conduct
and accused the unit of siding with the perpetrator. They also pointedly
questioned the BGB commander, asking, "How did a rape happen here when you
are stationed in this area?"
After hours of tension, the crowd eventually dispersed
following assurances from the BGB, police, and local administration.
The BGB commander on duty told the crowd, "If
proper justice is not served and a case is not filed as required by law, I will
stand with you and support your movement." While some accepted his
statement, the majority of protesters remained unsatisfied and continued
pressing for immediate legal action.
Thanchi Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Ongpru Mro
confirmed the incident, stating that a complaint had been received regarding
the rape of the 5-year-old girl, that the accused had been detained, and that
BGB personnel were deployed after protesters surrounded the police station.
Bandarban Superintendent of Police Md. Wahab-ul Islam
Khondaker confirmed that the accused had been arrested, a case had been
formally filed, and that the situation was currently under control.
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