A
roadblock protest is ongoing in Khagrachari following clashes between two
groups. The three-day protest began early this morning (Saturday, September 21)
at 6:00 am.
Earlier,
Jumma Students and People declared a 72-hour protest from Dhaka’s Shahbagh,
with the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF—Proshit Bikash Khisha faction)
expressing solidarity. No incidents of violence have been reported across the
district since the protest began. However, long-distance buses from the
district town have been suspended, and local transport services are also at a
standstill.
The
situation in Dighinala upazila remains calm. No vehicles, including
motorcycles, CNGs, and Mahindra taxis, are operating on local roads, and a
tense atmosphere prevails. A similar situation exists on the Panchari road.
However, limited three-wheeler and light vehicle movement has been observed in
some parts of the district town.
Picketing
has been reported at several locations along the Khagrachari-Dighinala road in
support of the protest. Many tourists bound for Sajek on the first day of the
protest are stranded in the district town. Unable to reach their destinations
after waiting for hours, they face difficulties. Some tourists expressed that
they were unaware of the roadblock. Many had booked rooms in hotels and resorts
in Sajek in advance.
To
maintain peace, hill residents and Bengalis have formed joint harmony
committees in various areas to ensure security and restore calm.
Meanwhile,
the Section 144 imposed in Khagrachari municipal areas at 2:00 pm on Friday to
prevent untoward incidents. It was lifted at 9:00 pm yesterday (Friday,
September 20).
Earlier,
clashes broke out between two groups in Dighinala. Following the back-and-forth
chase between them, miscreants set fire to the Larma Square market, destroying
over a hundred shops belonging to both hill residents and Bengalis. Five
people, including a journalist, were injured in the incident.
Law
enforcement intervened and restored normalcy by nightfall. However, rumors
circulating on social media led to heightened tensions in various areas
inhabited by hill residents and Bengalis. This triggered tense situations,
including gunfire, in places like Khobongpuria and Narankhaiya.
Several
people were injured, including gunshot victims. Three individuals, including
Junan Chakma, died in isolated incidents. Four of the injured were transferred
to Chittagong Medical College for advanced treatment, while nine others remain
hospitalized at Khagrachari District Hospital.
On
Wednesday night (September 18), a young man named Mamun was beaten to death in
a mob attack in the New Zealand area of the district town on allegations of
motorcycle theft. In protest, general students attempted a demonstration under
their banner in Dighinala the following day (Thursday, September 19), but it
was attacked by miscreants, sparking the conflict. Although there are
conflicting accounts regarding the clashes, no one has commented publicly.
Since
the incident, the administration has been actively working to restore peace and
harmony between hill residents and Bengalis in the district.
On
Friday, administrative officials visited the scene in Dighinala. The Deputy
Commissioner of Khagrachari, Md. Shahiduzzaman, along with military officers,
spoke to the shop owners affected by the fire and took stock of the situation.
During
the visit, the Deputy Commissioner formed an inquiry committee to investigate
the incident. He assured the victims of compensation and pledged to bring those
responsible to justice.
Upon
returning, a special meeting on law and order was held at the conference room
of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, attended by senior officials, citizens,
and leaders of various social organizations.
The
meeting discussed ways to maintain communal harmony between hill residents and
Bengalis. Demands were made for the recovery of illegal weapons from the hills
and the banning of public gatherings in the district center. The UPDF’s
military camps and their reckless activities were also highlighted. Social
media rumors were blamed for the spread of violence, with calls to monitor and
identify those responsible.
Meanwhile,
a high-level delegation, including the Adviser to the Ministry of Chittagong
Hill Tracts Affairs, Supradip Chakma, is heading to Rangamati and Khagrachari
to investigate the incidents. The team is scheduled to hold a discussion with
local dignitaries and representatives of various organizations in Rangamati at
noon. In the afternoon, they will attend a similar meeting in Khagrachari.