Amidst rising tensions and violence in Bangladesh’s hilly regions, which have claimed four lives, the Bangladesh Army has issued an appeal to the public, urging them to maintain peace and harmony.
“The ongoing tension may escalate into violent riots in the three hill districts. Leading individuals are urgently requested to assist law enforcement agencies in de-escalating the situation,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) in a statement.
“Necessary legal action will be taken after identifying the real culprits through a proper investigation. We especially request the public to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts,” the statement added.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region has a long history of conflict. In 1997, the Bangladesh government signed a peace accord with the Parbatta Chattagram Jana Sanghatti Samiti, the largest tribal group that controlled the Santibahini militia. Despite the accord, some smaller groups, including the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), rejected it.
On September 18, Md. Mamun (30), father of the deceased Noor Nabi, was killed in a mass thrashing by a mob in the Khagrachari district headquarters over a motorcycle theft, according to the statement.
Sadar Police Station later recovered the body and handed it over to the family after a post-mortem, the statement noted.
A protest march was organized from Dighinala College the following day, on September 19. As the procession passed through Boalkhali Bazar in Dighinala, some terrorists from the UPDF (original faction) attacked and fired 20-30 rounds. In retaliation, an angry mob set fire to some shops in Boalkhali Bazar, the statement reported.
Six people from both sides were injured in the clash and were sent to Dighinala Upazilla Health Complex and Khagrachari Sadar Hospitals for treatment, it added.
Army patrols arrived at the scene, bringing the situation under control and extinguishing the fires with help from the fire brigade and locals. However, tensions spread across Khagrachari district headquarters, Dighinala, Panchari, and surrounding areas. The statement also mentioned that rumors were being spread on social media, further escalating the situation.
The statement concluded by stating that UPDF (Original) terrorists fired upon an Army patrol team in Khagrachari town while they were transporting an unconscious patient. The Army retaliated in self-defense, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several others.
