Why are we forgetting Lakingme?
A number of rights groups, indigenous student organisations and activists holding a candlelight vigil in front of the national parliament, seeking justice for Lakingme Chakma. Photo: Rashed Shumon
Bangladesh is experiencing an epidemic of violence against women and girls. Access to justice has long been a challenge in Bangladesh, particularly for this type of violence. On many occasions these cases were dismissed as unsolvable and were simply ignored. The Lakingme Chakma case is no different from these other examples of violence against women and girls. We are also forgetting this case like the previous cases without taking further action to bring justice for her. Lakingme case has been also ignored, mostly because she is from an indigenous marginalised group. Indigenous women and girls are one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the country s population. They are typically deprived of basic human rights, including lack of access to
‘Abducted, converted and murdered’: 5 rights organisations demand justice for Lakingme Chakma
Photo: Rashed Shumon Star Online Report Star Online Report
Last year, 14-year-old Lakingme Chakma of Teknaf was abducted, converted, married to one of her abductors, before eventually being murdered.
Today evening, demanding justice over the death of Lakingme Chakma, five human, women and minority rights organisations held a protest in front of the National Parliament in Manik Mia Avenue of the capital.
Hundreds of protesters held candles, banners and placards in memory of the 14-year-old.
The protest was jointly organised by Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha (BNPS), Bangladesh Legal Aid Services and Trust (BLAST), Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Manusher Jonno Foundation and Bangladesh Adivasi Forum.
Lakingme Chakma Death: speakers demand prompt action against culprits Staff Correspondent Staff Correspondent
Immediate action must be taken against those involved in Lakingme Chakma s death, said speakers at a press conference yesterday.
The girl s parents finally received her body on Sunday and buried her in Ramu of Cox s Bazar 25 days after her mysterious death.
Fourteen-year-old Lakingme was abducted from her Shilkhali Chakma Para home on January 5 last year. Later, she was kept at nearby villages until January 8. On January 9, she was taken to Shahpori island in Teknaf, where she was detained at Kala Monu s home for the next two days, found a 10-member investigation team of rights activists, indigenous community leaders, journalists and teachers.
‘She’s abducted, converted and murdered’
Says father of Chakma teen found dead 11 months later
Star Report Star Report Star Report
Lakingme Chakma was a student of class-VI and according to her birth certificate she was 14 years and 10 months old on January 5 when she was abducted from her home.
After 11 months and six days, police called in her father on Thursday to identify his daughter s body in Cox s Bazar hospital morgue. They, however, did not hand him over her body saying the girl was married to one of her abductors who managed a birth certificate that says she was 18. My daughter was abducted, converted and later murdered and now they are not giving us her body even, lamented Lala Aung Chakma of Shilkhali Chakma para in Teknaf of Cox s Bazar.