CHT unrest: Govt warns tough action
Staff Reporter :
Tensions have reached a boiling point in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) after violent clashes between hill people and Bengalis left four people dead in the Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.
In response to the escalating violence, a 72-hour blockade has been imposed across the roads and waterways in the CHT region, encompassing Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban, effective from 6:00 am on Saturday.
The blockade has severely disrupted the region, cutting it off from the rest of the country and causing significant hardship for local residents.
The Jumma Student-People group, outraged by the killings, announced the blockade on Friday at the Cherag roundabout in Chattogram city, demanding justice.
The movement has garnered support from both the Hill Student Movement Against Violence and Discrimination and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), intensifying calls for action against the perpetrators.
The clashes erupted last Wednesday in Khagrachhari when Mohammad Mamun, 30, was allegedly beaten to death after being accused of stealing a motorcycle. His death ignited widespread protests from the Bengali community, leading to further violence on Thursday.
Tensions escalated when a Bengali protest march in Dighinala was reportedly blocked by hill people, sparking violent clashes. Homes and shops belonging to hill people were set ablaze, forcing many to flee to remote areas for safety.
As the situation worsened, the local administration invoked Section 144 in both Khagrachhari and Rangamati, banning gatherings in an attempt to restore order. Despite the measures, fear continues to grip residents in the affected areas, with the army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh now patrolling to maintain peace.
In the midst of the crisis, a high-level government delegation led by Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited Khagrachhari and Rangamati on Saturday morning. Speaking to the media, the Home Adviser promised firm action against those responsible for the violence.
“The law and order situation must not be allowed to deteriorate under any circumstances.
There will be no leniency for those who try to worsen the situation,” he warned, following a meeting with local community leaders and officials.
The Home Adviser further announced the formation of a high-powered investigation committee to thoroughly probe the violence. “A proper investigation will be conducted.
Those who attempt to disrupt peace will face legal consequences,” he stated, sending a clear signal of the government’s resolve.
A.F. Hasan Arif, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, expressed concern about external forces allegedly fuelling the unrest in the region.
“Everyone desires harmony, but there is a disruption, and the word conspiracy keeps coming up. We believe there is an external conspiracy targeting the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Those behind this will be identified and brought to justice,” Arif said.
In addition to the political and security measures being discussed, a transport strike has been called in Rangamati by the Transport Owner Association, protesting the torching of buses, trucks, and CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
The indefinite strike, which began on Saturday, has paralysed the region, with no vehicles operating between the CHT and major cities like Dhaka and Chattogram.
Bus services provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and private companies like Shanti Paribahan have come to a halt, and ticket counters in key areas such as the Oxygen roundabout in Chattogram remain closed.
Jeep Owners Association President Nirnimesh Dewan confirmed that no vehicles would be running during the blockade. “Our vehicles, which operate in various upazilas and tourist areas like Sajek, are grounded due to the situation,” he stated.
Road communication between Chattogram, Rangamati, and Bandarban has also been cut off. Popular bus services such as Paharika Express, Purabi, and Purbani have suspended operations, while trucks and pickup vans have halted deliveries. Business establishments in Rangamati remain closed, with no signs of normal activity in the town.