A medical board in Khagrachhari has found no evidence of rape in the case of an eighth-grade schoolgirl who was allegedly assaulted in Singinala area of the district town on September 23.
The three-member board at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital reported that there were no internal or external signs of sexual assault. Dr. Joya Chakma, senior consultant (gynecology) and head of the board, said all 10 indicators used to detect rape were found to be normal. The report was also signed by Dr. Mir Mosharaf Hossain and Dr. Nahida Akter.
Khagrachhari Civil Surgeon Dr. Saber Ahmed confirmed that the medical report has been sent to the Superintendent of Police’s office.
The case was filed by the victim’s father against three unidentified suspects, and police later arrested 19-year-old Shayon Shil as a suspect on September 24.
Meanwhile, army officials have alleged that the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) is attempting to exploit the incident to create unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. At a press briefing in Khagrachhari Cantonment, Brigadier General Hasan Mahmud said the group was trying to incite communal clashes as part of a larger conspiracy. Brigadier General Abul Kalam Rana, commander of Guimara region, also accused the UPDF of being behind ongoing armed activities in the hills, adding that operations against them would continue.
Following the incident, Jumma Students and People called for an indefinite road blockade, but the program has been suspended until October 5 in consideration of Durga Puja and assurances from authorities.
In recent days, violence in the area has left three people dead and several others, including security personnel and locals, injured. Government offices, shops, houses, warehouses, and motorcycles have been set on fire during the unrest. Section 144 remains in effect in Khagrachhari.
