4 Killed in Bengali-Pahari Riot in Chittagong Hill Tracts
Rangamati and Khagrachari of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are heated due to attacks, clashes, arson, and violence. Three people were killed in clashes in Khagrachhari on Friday. Rangamati was in turmoil due to the Khagrachari clash. One person died there too. The administration has imposed Section 144 in two districts to control the situation.
The deceased were identified as Dhananjoy Chakma, 50, Rubel Tripura, 25, and Junan Chakma, 20. From 11 am to 1 pm yesterday, there were clashes between the hill people and Bengalis in Rangamati Sadar, vandalism and arson of shops and houses. The clashes occurred in the district headquarters’ Banarupa, Uttar Kalindipur, Kalindipur, and Bijon Sarani areas. A mountain youth was killed in the clashes; Hundreds of people on both sides were injured.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said in a statement yesterday that three people were killed in a gunfight with the army in Khagrachari. The army said they shot in self-defense. The army said that the UPDF, an organization of the hill people, is responsible for this situation. According to the ISPR, the ongoing tension may turn into deadly riots in the three hill districts. The public has been urged to maintain peace and harmony there.
Meanwhile, one person was killed and more than 100 injured in a clash in Rangamati on Friday over the Dighinala incident in Khagrachari. The deceased was identified as Anik Kumar Chakma. His village home is in the Jivatali union of Noadam of Rangamati Sadar.
The attackers set fire to several vehicles parked at the Chittagong Hill Tracts District Council office, burning the lower part of the office. They attacked and vandalized a Buddhist temple, set fire to various establishments and shops, and looted and set fire to multiple vehicles. The administration has imposed Section 144 in Rangamati town to control the situation. But the problem is still stagnant. Army, BGB, and police have been deployed in the city. However, no one could say for sure where and how the young man named Anik died. He was taken dead at the hospital.
Witnesses said a procession against conflict and discrimination under the banner of the Hill Students Movement was brought out from the district gymnasium premises around 10 am on Friday following the previous day’s clash at Dighinala in Khagrachari. When the procession reached Banarupa, stones were thrown at a building from the top. The incident started when one of the mountains was hit in the head. Later, the agitated students attacked some shops. Later, the procession moved to the district administration office premises. At one stage, when the Bengalis proceeded towards the procession with sharp weapons and sticks, at one stage of the chase-counter-chase between the two sides, both of them got involved in a clash.
When the hill students retreated at one stage, the Bengalis took control of the area. Later, they set fire to several vehicles parked at the CHT Regional Council office, burning the lower part of the office. Apart from this, the attackers vandalized and looted the shops of the hill people and Kathaltali Maitri Vihar in some places, including Banarupa and Kalindipur. At that time, the attackers broke the lock of the gate of the District Women’s Department and set fire to several motorcycles parked there. Among them are the staff reporter of Samakal’s Rangamati office and the representative of Prothom Alo. After a few hours of this situation, the law enforcers came to the field. The situation calmed down a bit when Section 144 was imposed in the city to control the situation.
On Wednesday, the incident started in Khagrachhari Sadar on charges of stealing a motorcycle. A young man named Mamun was beaten to death by the hill people. Mamun is the son of the late Nur Nabi of Shalban Madhyapara of Khagrachari Sadar. After his death, the local Bengali population became angry. Bengali students demonstrated at Dighinala on Thursday afternoon, protesting the killing of Mamun. A chase-counter-chase took place between the two sides. At that time, miscreants set fire to Larma Square market. More than 50 businesses were burned. Five people were injured.
The Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital doctor. Shahiduzzaman said one of those brought to the hospital on Friday was found dead. The other two died after being brought to the hospital. Four of the injured were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Five others have been admitted to the hospital.
Resident doctor of Rangamati General Hospital. Shaukat Akbar Khan said 54 injured people from different areas were brought to the hospital on Friday. One of them was killed. Of the 54, 19 have been admitted. Three of them were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
Resident doctor of Khagrachhari District Sadar Hospital. The deceased were identified as Junan Chakma and Rubel, hailing from the Khagrachhari Sadar area, and Dhananjoy Chakma from Dighinala, said Bappi Chakma.
Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Baten Mridha said the bodies were handed over to the relatives. No case has been filed in Khagrachhari so far. Dighinala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nurul Haque said no case or arrest was reported in connection with Thursday’s violence and arson.
Meanwhile, after the incident on Friday morning, the Deputy Commissioner said. Shahiduzzaman, Dighinala Army Zone Commander Lt Col Omar, and Superintendent of Police Arifin Jewel visited the affected areas. During this time, they talked to the people of Dighinala and assured them that they would form an investigation committee and bring the guilty people under the law.
The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) has called a 72-hour blockade in
three hill districts from Saturday, protesting the attacks on hill people in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. The organization also supported the 72-hour road and waterway blockade program in the three hill districts, as announced by the rally organized by the agitated Jumma students and people in Dhaka.
In the statement, the UPDF expressed anger that such vicious attacks on the hill people after the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Yunus after the fall of fascist Hasina on August 5 under the leadership of the anti-discrimination student movement is not acceptable in any way. His government cannot escape responsibility for the attack.
