Google Alert – BD Army
The Bangladesh Army has said the renewed turmoil in Khagrachhari over the past 10 days is part of a larger “conspiracy” aimed at destabilising the Chittagong Hill Tracts and triggering communal clashes between hill people and Bengalis.
In a statement on Sunday night, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) held the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) responsible for the unrest, bdnews24.com reports.
“From September 19 to 28, the series of incidents makes it clear that there is a larger conspiracy to destabilise the hill region and trigger communal clashes without resorting to lawful means,” the statement declared.
The Army alleged that UPDF is systematically coercing women and schoolchildren into its activities and is bringing in “outsiders armed with indigenous weapons” to inflame communal violence.
The military’s media wing said the unrest stemmed from the anniversary of the incident in Khagrachhari on September 19, 2024, when the killing of a motorcyclist named Mamun had triggered communal tensions and clashes with security forces, leaving three people dead and several injured.
On September 23 this year, following allegations of the rape of a schoolgirl in Khagrachhari’s Singinala area, police arrested Shayon Shil, named by the UPDF (main) as a suspect, with Army assistance. He remains in custody under remand while legal proceedings are ongoing.
ISPR said that despite the arrest, UPDF affiliates continued to mobilise protests. PCP leader Ukhyanu Marma, under the banner of “Jumma Chhatra Janata”, called rallies and human chains on September 24.
A half-day shutdown was enforced on September 25, while bloggers at home and abroad were accused of spreading inflammatory propaganda online against Bengalis.
On September 26, ISPR alleged, UPDF activists led by Ukhyanu and fuelled by online incitement, sparked widespread tension in Khagrachhari. Protesters pelted stones at an Army patrol, injuring three soldiers. “The Army exercised maximum restraint and refrained from using force,” the statement said.
But on September 27, the situation escalated further.
According to ISPR, UPDF workers again attempted to instigate riots. “They opened fire on Bengalis and other civilians, vandalised property, attacked ambulances, and blocked roads, causing a severe breakdown of law and order in Khagrachhari town. By midday, events took on the form of a communal riot,” the statement added.
The district administration imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari and Guimara, while Army, BGB and police worked overnight to restore order.
Even under those restrictions, violence erupted in Guimara’s Ramsu Bazar on the morning of September 28.
“Around 10:30am, UPDF activists and armed groups attacked the Army with sticks, slingshots, bricks and crude weapons,” ISPR said, leaving 10 soldiers, including three officers, injured. At the same time, BGB vehicles were vandalised and its members assaulted in Ramgarh.
The statement claimed that around 11:30am, armed members of UPDF (main) fired 100–150 rounds from automatic weapons from a hilltop west of Ramsu Bazar, targeting both locals and security forces engaged in crowd control. Some civilians were hit by gunfire. The Army chased the attackers, who then fled the area.
ISPR further said that UPDF outsiders set fire to homes and shops in Ramsu Bazar and clashed with Bengalis before additional troops were deployed. The situation was brought under control by around 4:30pm.
Later in the day, a BGB checkpoint at Kaptai reportedly seized a large cache of weapons from a passenger bus allegedly transported by UPDF-linked groups.
Calling for restraint, ISPR urged political leaders and communities in the CHT to cooperate with law enforcement.
“Evidence of recent incidents is preserved with the agencies. Despite propaganda, disinformation and provocation, the Bangladesh Army remains resolute in protecting the integrity of this inseparable part of the country,” it said.
“We appeal for cooperation with the armed forces and law enforcement to restore stability in the hills.”
WHAT ‘JUMMA CHHATRA JANTA’ IS SAYING
In a Facebook post the previous night, the “Jumma Chhatra Janta” said: “Our peaceful indefinite road blockade in Khagrachhari has been going on since Sept 27.
“However, evidence of extensive search operations, assaults, and arrests by the Army across Khagrachhari town in the past few days has been found — which is never acceptable.”
The group further claimed that in Guimara, the Army opened fire on Jumma Chhatra Janta activists, while settlers looted shops and homes and set property on fire.
The post reported that four people were killed and many injured in these attacks.
“We strongly condemn and protest this barbarity and absence of justice.”
The Facebook post announced that the road blockade will continue indefinitely across the three Hill Tracts districts until their demands are met.
It added that all tourism activities will remain suspended during this time.
Their demands include:
- Authorities must be legally bound to prevent any attacks, violence, or intimidation from the beginning of discussions onwards and provide guarantees for the same.
- The remaining two suspects in the rape case must be immediately arrested, receive proper and exemplary punishment, and the verdict of the already arrested Shayon Shil must be expedited, executed, and officially published in the government gazette. The victim must be provided adequate financial compensation and full rehabilitation.
- A neutral and lawful investigation must be ensured for all incidents that occurred on Sept 27 and 28 in Khagrachhari and Guimara, including looting, arson, and gunfire. An official probe report must be submitted within 30 days.
- Full compensation must be provided for damage caused by the alleged “barbaric attacks” on innocent and unarmed Jumma Chhatra Janta activists, including losses to shops and homes. The state must bear the cost of medical treatment for all the injured.
- Full compensation and fair redress must be provided for attacks on the peaceful blockade and for damage to Jumma indigenous business establishments.
- All Jumma students and people detained in connection with the ongoing movement must be released immediately and unconditionally. Simultaneously, an independent and transparent investigation into the attacks carried out on Sept 27 and 28 must be completed, and appropriate legal action must be taken against the perpetrators.
- The security of every student and public representative participating in the negotiation table alongside other citizens and students must be ensured.
- Section 144 imposed in Guimara must be withdrawn.
The statement warned of escalating to a “more rigorous and organised movement” if these demands are not fulfilled.