Khagrachhari Rape Issue: Controversial Comment by NCP Leader Hannan Sparks Apology

PNN News Desk | Dhaka:

A heated controversy has erupted within the National Citizens Party (NCP) over the gang-rape allegations of a hill tribe minor girl in Khagrachhari. The party’s senior joint chief coordinator, Abdul Hannan Masud, referred to the incident as a “fake rape,” which sparked outrage across various circles.

Initially, Hannan Masud defended his statement on social media, but later expressed regret over his choice of words in multiple posts. He wrote that heinous crimes like rape cannot be denied under any circumstances and that the perpetrators must face the maximum punishment.

In response to the incident, the party’s sole representative of a minority ethnic group, Olik Mridha, announced his resignation from the central committee on Monday morning. He stated that Hannan Masud’s remarks were false and insulting, and he was compelled to resign to register his protest.

In a subsequent Facebook post, Hannan Masud called for unity between the hill and plain citizens, saying that although conspirators might try to create unrest, the crisis must be resolved through dialogue.

The protests following the Khagrachhari rape incident resulted in three deaths, bringing the issue further into the spotlight. Hannan Masud’s controversial remarks have now placed NCP under intense pressure.