Anti-rape long-march comes under attack in Feni

The anti-rape long-march started from Dhaka to Noakhali protesting the growing number of rape and sexual harassment on women and children, came under attack in Feni this noon.

A number of people equipped with sticks swooped on the marchers when it reached Shanti Company intersection in Feni town this noon, one of the marchers told the Business Insider over phone.

Around 10 to 15 marchers were injured and their some of their vehicles were vandalized during the attack, according to the source.

The marchers reached the Central Shaheed Minar of Feni town around 10:00am and held a rally there. Suddenly, a group of people equipped with sticks swooped on the protesters when they were leaving the place on completion of the rally around 11:00am, the source added.

Over 400 demonstrators started their long-march programme from Dhaka to Noakhali’s Begumganj upazila yesterday protesting the growing incidents of rape, sexual harassment and violence against women and the culture of impunity in the country.

The protesters including students and youths of some left-leaning bodies and rights activists started the long march under the banner of Dhorshon O Bicharhinotar Biruddhe Bangladesh to press home their nine-point demands to put an end to issues.

The protesters carrying several placards, posters and banners were chanting several types of anti-rape slogans and demanding capital punishment for the rapists during the long-march.

In the wake of widespread protests against the growing incidents of rape, the President has promulgated an ordinance allowing death penalty as the highest punishment for the crime instead of life imprisonment.

The ordinance was issued in the face of the anti-rape demonstrations spread across the country after a video footage of molestation of a housewife in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali went viral on the social media.