NCP’s Masud apologises after controversial comments on Khagrachhari ‘rape’

Abdul Hannan Masud, senior joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party, has apologised for his comments regarding the alleged gang-rape of a Marma schoolgirl in Khagrachhari. In a Facebook post on Monday, he admitted his mistake and expressed regret over his statement, acknowledging that it had caused embarrassment. In his post, Masud said: “At a rally in Hatia’s Chandandi Union yesterday, I mistakenly and spontaneously used the term ‘fake rape’, which was not my intention at all. “Such a heinous crime as rape cannot be denied. We must ensure the harshest punishment for rapists. I deeply regret using this unfortunate term and hope my supporters and critics will view it as a momentary lapse in judgement.” Masud also called...