What happened in Khagrachari and Rangamati, said ISPR
September 20, 20243 Mins Read
Jumbangla Desk : On September 18, a young man named Md. Mamun (30), father: deceased Noor Nabi, was killed in a mass thrashing by some unruly people in Khagrachari district headquarters over the theft of a motorcycle. Later, Sadar police station recovered the body of the deceased and handed it over to the family after post-mortem.
ISPRA protest march was taken out from Dighinala College on the next day (19 September 2024) afternoon based on this incident. While the procession was crossing Boalkhali Bazar in Dighinala, some terrorists of UPDF (Main) attacked the procession and fired 20-30 rounds. Following this, the angry mob set fire to some shops in Boalkhali Bazaar.
It is to be noted that 6 people from both sides were injured during the clash and they were sent to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex and Khagrachari Sadar Hospital for treatment. Later, army patrols reached the spot and brought the situation under control and put out the fire with the help of fire brigade and local public.
Due to the above incident, tension spread in Khagrachari district headquarters, Dighinala, Panchari and surrounding areas. At the same time, some self-interested circles spread rumors through social media and gradually made the situation more exciting. An emergency virtual meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner to quickly bring the law and order situation under control in Khagrachari district.
According to the decision of the meeting, a decision was taken to jointly patrol all upazilas including Khagrachari district headquarters, Dighinala and Panchari from 19 September 2024 at 2200 hours to keep the situation under control by army, BGB, police and Ansar forces. Also, various community leaders are asked to advise all parties to desist from violent activities.
On the same night (19 September 2024) when a patrolling team of Khagrachari zone reached the self-reliant area of Khagrachari town at 2230 hrs while shifting a comatose patient, an agitated crowd led by UPDF (Original) created a barricade. At one point the terrorists of the UPDF (original) fired on the army patrolling team and the army retaliated in self-defence.
It is said that 3 people were killed and some were injured in the incident.
In continuation of the same incident in Panchari of Khagrachari district, local rowdy crowd stopped the motorcycle of some youths and attacked them with sticks. At the same time, the agitated public vandalized the office of the Fire Brigade under the leadership of UPDF (Original).
Today (September 20) local people gathered in Rangamati Gymnasium area under the banner of 'Anti-Conflict and Discrimination Pahari Chhatra Andolan' by Pahari Chhatra Parishad supported by PCJSS at Rangamati district headquarters. At that time 800-1000 agitated people took out a procession and proceeded towards Banrupa area and vandalized and set fire to Banrupa Bazar Mosque, Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, CNG- Autorickshaws, Motorcycles and several shops. Due to this, several people were injured on both sides.
Section 144 has been issued at Rangamati district headquarters to control the situation.
It may be noted that the ongoing tension in view of the above incidents may turn into violent riots in the three hill districts.
Leading individuals are urgently requested to assist the law and order forces in de-escalating the ongoing tension. Necessary legal action will be taken after identifying the real culprits by conducting proper investigation. Public is specially requested to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts.- ISPR
