Traumatised by 'rape', eighth grader ends life

JOYPURHAT, Nov 19 (UNB): Eleven days after she was allegedly raped, a Class VIII student took her life in Khetlal upazila of Joypurhat district on Thursday night.

According to her family members, the girl took the extreme step as she could not bear the trauma and embarrassment. She allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling of her house.

The alleged rape occurred on November 7 when the teen was returning home around 5:00 pm after attending a ceremony in her high school.

Shahinur, a local youth, offered to drop her on his motorcycle but instead took her to an abandoned school building and allegedly raped her. His friend too came to the spot and both of them violated her by turns. The girl was later rescued by local residents.

On November 8, a case of sexual harassment was filed against Rafikul and Shahinur following a complaint lodged with Khetlal thana by the girl's family.

However, the accused remain absconding and the girl's family claimed that they have been threatening them.