Rights bodies at a rally in the capital yesterday condemned an alleged rape of a 17-year-old Marma girl in Rangamati.

Demanding exemplary punishment of the culprits, they said such incidents often happened in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which is unacceptable.

The protest rally was held under the banner of Nagarik Samabesh in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Kapaeeng Foundation, Garo Students' Union and Bangladesh Indigenous Women's Network, among other rights organisations, took part in the rally.

At the rally, speakers alleged that the incident happened at a village in Farua union of Belaichhari upazila early Monday. The perpetrators also assaulted the victim's sister, they added.

They said the victim was admitted to a hospital next day, but her parents did not file any case out of fear.

Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples' Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong called upon the government to ensure security of all the ethnic minorities.