Protests against the brutal killing of eight-year-old Ramisa Akhter continued across the country on Friday as the whole nation becomes united to see the killer punished without any delay. The incident in the capital's Pallabi area has triggered widespread public outrage, with demonstrations, human chains and rallies held across Dhaka and several districts demanding the swift arrest and exemplary punishment for those involved.
A tense situation has prevailed in Section 11 of Pallabi since the incident, as people from different professions and social backgrounds began gathering in front of Ramisa's residence on Friday morning. Various local social and voluntary organisations organised human chains and demonstrations, intensifying calls for justice.
As the day progressed, the crowd swelled further, with participation from men and women of different age groups. Protesters expressed anger chanting slogans and brandishing placards reading, "We want Ramisa's killer to be hanged" and "We want justice for child rape and murder". Many demonstrators were seen in tears, while others voiced frustration over what they described as persistent failures in ensuring justice.
In Mirpur 10 Gol Chattar, locals blocked roads in protest against the rape, torture and murder of the child, causing slow vehicular movement in the surrounding areas. Similar demonstrations were reported in Mohammadpur, where protest marches, rallies and prayers were held in mosque and madrasa premises, demanding expedited trial proceedings and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
Members of Gulshan Society also formed a human chain in Pallabi, reiterating demands for justice in the case. Meanwhile, Inqilab Mancha staged protests and torch processions, condemning what they described as state indifference to incidents of child rape, murder and delayed justice, including the killing of Ramisa.
Outside the capital, protests spread to Khulna, Rajshahi, Munshiganj, Bancharampur in Brahmanbaria, Lohagara in Chattogram, Goalanda in Rajbari, Baliadangi in Thakurgaon and Amtali in Barguna, where human chains, rallies and processions were organised by different groups and civil society platforms.
Khelaghar Asr demanded that maximum punishment be ensured for those responsible for the rape and murder of children, including Ramisa and Asia, calling for their trial under a speedy trial tribunal. The organisation held a human chain in Narayanganj raising the same demand.
Across the country, demonstrators called for what they described as exemplary punishment for the accused, with some demanding immediate execution of sentences, arguing that delays in the judicial process have contributed to the recurrence of such violent crimes. They also called for the Ramisa murder case to be tried under a special tribunal to ensure swift disposal of justice.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Bar Association has decided that none of its members will appear on behalf of the accused in the case filed over the rape and murder of a child, Ramisa, in the capital's Pallabi area.
The decision was announced by Dhaka Bar General Secretary Mohammad Kalam Khan in a Facebook post on Friday morning.
"As per the decision of the Dhaka Bar Executive Committee, no learned lawyer from the Dhaka Bar will handle the case on behalf of the accused in the Ramisa murder case," he wrote.
The development comes amid widespread public outrage over the killing of the child.
