Hill Voice, 20 August 2025, Bandarban:  A Marma schoolgirl studying in class 5 was allegedly raped by 5 Marma youths in Paindu Headman Para of Paindu Union of Ruma Upazila under Bandarban district. It is learnt that the police have arrested 3 of the five accused.

It is reported that on Sunday, August 17, the schoolgirl was abducted from a hostel next to the Paindu Headman Para Government Primary School and raped repeatedly over two days, August 17 and August 18.

The five youths accused of raping are (1) Uhaising Marma (23), son of Thowainuching Marma, (2) Kyahlawang Marma (22), son of Rangmeshe Marma, (3) Kyasaiwang Marma (19), son of Ahlamong Marma, (4) Chahai Marma, son of late Sachingu Marma and (5) Kyawangsai Marma, son of Kyahlaching Marma, all residents of the same village in Paindu Union.

It is learnt that the police have arrested 3 out of the 5 accused in a raid in the early hours of today, August 20, in the Paindu Headman Para area. The arrested are Uhaising Marma (23), Kyahlawang Marma (22) and Kyasaiwang Marma (19). On the other hand, the other two accused rapists escaped.

According to local sources, the rapists picked up the schoolgirl from a hostel next to the school, kept her at a designated place, raped her in turns for two days, and then released her. The victim first told her close friends about the incident, and then her family members came to know about it.

After the incident became known in the area, a social arbitration was organized. In this situation, on August 19, at around 4 pm, a social arbitration trial regarding the rape was held at the house of the Karbari (village head) of the village, Thoisa Marma. It is known that the Headman, Karbaris, members and other people of the village were present at the trial.

It is learnt that at the arbitration meeting, a total fine of 50,000 taka was imposed on the five accused rapists as punishment and 10,000 taka was imposed for medical expenses of the victim. However, the accused kept the said amount due.

Meanwhile, after the rapists were released after being fined only Tk 50,000 in social arbitration, there was a strong reaction in the area when the matter became known, and there was widespread publicity and protests on social media.
Then, early this morning, the police conducted a raid and arrested the three accused.