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All unquiet in the hills

Four killed in Khagrachhari, Rangamati: Sec 144 clamped: Shops set ablaze


Published : 20 Sep 2024 10:29 PM | Updated : 20 Sep 2024 10:29 PM

At least four people were killed and nearly 100 others were injured during sporadic clashes in Chattogram Hill Tracts in last two days.

In the wake of escalating tensions, the district administrations of Khagrachhari and Rangamati imposed the Section 144 in Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila and Rangamati municipal area.

The acts of violence erupted at the death of one Md Mamun who was beaten to death on suspicion of theft in Khagrachhari on September 18. 

The unrest in Rangamati erupted on Friday when a group of hill students organised a protest in Banarupa, demanding justice for the Khagrachhari incident. 

As the protesters marched through the town, violence ensued, resulting in vandalism of several vehicles and shops. 

In response, local people attempted to resist violent activities of the hill people, sparking a fierce confrontation between the two sides. 

The violent clashes and counter-clashes left one person dead and over 50 injured, witnesses said.

The identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed, Dr Sadia Akhtar, said duty doctor of Rangamati General Hospital.

To maintain law and order, the Rangamati district administration imposed Section 144 in the Rangamati municipal area prohibiting gatherings and public assembly until further notice.

Eyewitnesses reported that the violence escalated quickly, with protesters attacking vehicles and property. 

The situation prompted immediate intervention by security forces. Army personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control. Despite their efforts, tension remains high across the town.

The joint patrol team of police, army, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance to prevent further violence. 

However, public movement and vehicle plying in the town have significantly dropped since the clashes.

In a notice signed by Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Sujan Chandra Roy, the Section 144 was imposed in the municipal area of Khagrachhari from 2:00pm to 9:00pm. 

Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Md Sahiduzzaman said that army and BGB had been deployed there to control the situation.

At least three people were killed and nine others injured in clashes in Khagrachhari on Thursday.

The bodies of the deceased Junan Chakma, 20, Dhananjay Chakma, 50 and Rubel, 30, are in Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital now, confirmed the resident doctor of Khagrachhari District Sadar Hospital Ripple Bappi Chakma.

According to locals, gunfire was exchanged in Narankhaiya area of the district town on Thursday night around 10:30pm, creating panic among the people of the area.

Later that night, 12 people were brought to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital. Among them, three people died while undergoing treatment, doctor Ripple Bappi Chakma said.

He said four seriously injured people have been referred to Chattogram. Some of the injured were shot. Among the deceased, Junan Chakma and Rubel resided in Khagrachhari Sadar and Dhananjay Chakma lived in Dighinala.

Chittagong Medical College Hospital Director Brig Gen Md Taslim Uddin told reporters that three people were brought there from Khagrachhari. Of them two people had bullet wounds on their legs and another person had bullet wounds on the shoulder.

On Wednesday, a man named Md Mamun was beaten to death on suspicion of theft in Khagrachhari. Following the death, Bangali students brought out a protest rally on Thursday. 

At one point, heated arguments ensued between the Bangalis and the hill people.

Clashes ensued and at one point, miscreants set fire to about 50 shops in Larma Square. Five people were injured in the incident.

Later at night, there were shootings in Narankhaiya area of Khagrachhari sadar.

At present, the patrolling of law enforcement agencies along with the army has been strengthened in various parts of the district.

Our DU correspondent reported that several hundred people of indigenous communities and students blocked the Shahbagh intersection of the capital on Friday, protesting the arson attacks in Khagrachhari's Dighinala upazila.

Before the blockade, they held a rally at Raju Memorial Sculpture on Dhaka University campus around 10:00am and demanded punishment to the attackers on the indigenous people in Khagrachhari.

Hill people also staged a demonstration at Cheragi Pahar intersection in Chattogram on Friday protesting the attacks on their communities in Khagrachhari.