Violence against "indigenous" women keeps increasing due to culture of impunity in the country, speakers said at a human chain programme in the capital today.

Bangladeshi Adivasi Jubo Forum, Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha, Bangladesh Adivasi Nari Network, Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad and Parbotto Chattagram Pahari Chhatra Parishad jointly organised the programme in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh demanding arrest and capital punishment of those involved in repeated incidents of violence and rape against "indigenous" women.

Dhaka University Professors, Robaet Ferdous and Khairul Chowdhury, executive director of Nagorik Uddyog Jakir Hossain, representative of Jonouddyog Tarik Hossain, representative of Kapaeeng Foundation, a human rights organisation for indigenous people Ujjal Azim, General Secretary of Sammilito Samajik Andolon Saleh Ahmed, and representatives of different human rights organisations expressed their solidarity at the programme.

Organisers of the programme placed a five-point demand which include ensuring capital punishment to the perpetrators involved in the recent incidents of rape, violence and harassment against "indigenous" women.

The other demands are: giving adequate compensation and security to the family of the victims, the local administration will have to play effective role in stopping harassment against all women, a special cell will have to be formed under the ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs to take actions against all kinds of repression against women in the hill tracts districts.

They also demanded to complete implementation of CHT peace treaty and withdrawal of temporary army camps in line with the treaty and respectful repatriation of Bangali settlers outside the hill tracts.

At the beginning of the programme, Shahanaz Sumi, deputy director, Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha presented the key note paper on behalf of the organiser.

She said three "indigenous" women became victims of rape or physical harassment in between September 14 to 24 in Khagrachari and Moulvibazar. She said violence and harassment against indigenous women has taken a violent shape during the time of Covid-19 pandemic.

Robaet Ferdous questioned why rape incidents are taking place in such high numbers in independent Bangladesh.

"Violence against indigenous women is a state tool which is a part to eliminate indigenous people," he added.