'No evidence of rape’ found in Khagrachhari victim’s medical tests

The medical examination of the Marma victim-survivor in Khagrachhari has found “no signs of rape”, said the lead doctor of the examining team.

On Tuesday, Dr Joya Chakma of Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital, who headed the three-member medical board, said: “We have submitted the report to the medical authority. We conducted all possible examinations.”

A copy of the medical report, obtained by bdnews24.com, shows that all 10 indicators of the test were recorded as “normal”.

The Marma girl was found “unconscious” in a field on Sept 23.

Her father subsequently filed a rape complaint at the Sadar Police Station. Police, with assistance from the Army, arrested a suspect the next day.

Protests demanding justice soon erupted across Khagrachhari and turned violent.

Despite the imposition of a ban on public gatherings under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and deployment of additional Army and BGB troops, the situation deteriorated.

On Sunday, three people were shot dead during clashes in Guimara.

On Tuesday, while inspecting the affected areas in Guimara, Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondoker announced the formation of an inquiry committee over the violence.

The same day, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury claimed that the violence in Khagrachhari was instigated with the intention of disrupting the Durga Puja celebrations.