Google Alert – Bangladesh Army
The Khagrachhari district administration on Saturday (27 September) enforced Section 144 in the municipality, Sadar upazila and Guimara upazila, citing risks to lives and property amid protests over the alleged gang rape of an eighth-grade schoolgirl.
Chase and counter-chase between the two groups took place from Saturday afternoon at Mohajanpara of the district town, lasting over three and a half hours, according to Khagrachhari Police Superintendent Arefin Jewel.
Later, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Army stepped in to bring the situation under control.
Earlier, locals staged a road blockade from morning until evening to demand justice for the incident, which has sparked widespread outrage in the area.
The blockade, called by protesters under the banner of Jumma Chhatra-Janata, began at 5am and was scheduled to continue until 6pm. At around 6pm, they lifted the blockade and cleared the area. According to a notice signed by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Iftekharul Islam Khondaker, gatherings of five or more people, along with processions, rallies, and assemblies, have been prohibited from 2pm until further notice.
The administration said Section 144 had been imposed in Khagrachhari municipality and sadar upazila due to the “severe deterioration of law and order and the risk of harm to lives and property”.
The administration has warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order.
The protests were called demanding justice for the alleged gang rape, with demonstrators enforcing a day-long road blockade across the district.
Protesters alleged that during the blockade, they were attacked near the Sadar upazila office premises and bricks and stones were thrown at them, leaving two protesters injured.
