Residents and activists of Pallabi and other parts of Dhaka staged protests today, demanding justice for eight-year-old Ramisa Akhter.

Since morning, people from different walks of life gathered in front of Ramisa’s house in Pallabi, forming human chains and holding demonstrations under the banners of social and volunteer organisations.

Besides, several hundred people blocked the Mirpur-10 intersection after Jumma prayers, demanding justice for Ramisa.

“We are now living in fear for our own children. No human being should commit such brutality against a child. We want a speedy trial in the incident. We want a safe place for our children,” said a woman who joined one of the human chains in front of Ramisa’s house.

They carried placards reading “We want justice for Ramisa” and “Hang the child rapist and killer”.

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Photo: Courtesy

A sombre atmosphere prevailed throughout the area as locals expressed outrage over the brutal killing, saying exemplary punishment was necessary to ensure children’s safety.

Meanwhile, Ramisa’s parents and relatives left Dhaka for Munshiganj’s Sirajdikhan to attend a doa mahfil.

Ramisa, a class two student, was killed and beheaded allegedly by her neighbour Sohel Rana on May 19. The accused later gave a confessional statement before a magistrate.

Meanwhile, traffic movement was disrupted in the Mirpur-10 roundabout area due to the ongoing protest. Police urged patience as they diverted traffic using alternative routes to ease vehicular movement.

A human chain was held in Khilgaon demanding justice for Ramisa.

“When I step out to go to school, or return home, I feel scared. We girls want to move freely and safely everywhere,” said 15-year-old Nuzhat Tabassum at the human chain.

The event was organised by Pallima Sangshad in Block-C of Khilgaon, Dhaka this afternoon.

Pallima Sangsad President Anisur Rahman Liton said, “The state must take responsibility for the rape and murder of the child in Pallabi. The trial must be completed in the quickest possible time.”

He called on social and cultural organisations in different neighbourhoods of the capital to stand against rape.

The human chain began at 11:00am and ended at 12:10pm.

Around 200 people, including members of affiliated organisations along with local residents, joined the programme.

Protests were also held in Gulshan-2 and Malibagh areas of Dhaka by different socio-cultural groups protesting the rape and murder of Ramisa.