Protest Rally at Khagrachhari

'Arrest killers of Panay Mala'

9 September 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

Indigenous women form a human chain in Khagrachhari town yesterday demanding punishment to the killers of Panay Mala.Photo: STAR

Leaders of different indigenous organisations yesterday demanded immediate steps to arrest the killers of Panay Mala Tripura, 50. The indigenous woman was murdered on the night of September 3 at Craijongpara under Mohalchhari upazila. At a protest rally in front of Khagrachhari Press Club, the speakers alleged that Panay Mala was killed in a planned way by some settlers to grab her land. Blaming police, they said a sub-inspector (SI) was giving shelter to the accused in exchange of bribes. They also criticised Mohalchhari upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) saying he did not take security measures to protect the woman. They also asked the authorities concerned to arrest the killers immediately and hand over the land and property of Panay Mala to her heir and ensure security of the victim's family. The protest rally was presided by Jana Sanghati Samity district unit secretary Sudhakar Tripura. Among others, Durbar Network Khagrachhari district unit member Shapla Tripura, Bangladesh Tripura Kalyan Samity treasurer Ananta Bikash Tripura, ex-Pajurico chairperson Namita Tripura, Bangladesh Marma Students Council district unit president Sunendhu Marma spoke. Earlier, about a hundred indigenous people formed a human chain in front of Khagrachhari Press Club for over an hour demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to the killers of Panay Mala Tripura.