At least three hill people were killed, and several others, including 13 army personnel, were injured in a tripartite fire exchange between the security forces, Bengali settlers, and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari on Sunday.
Following the deadly clashes, Jumma Chhatra Janata, in a Facebook post, called for an indefinite blockade in all three hill districts – Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari.
According to locals, the clash broke out at Ramesu Bazar in Guimara around 1pm, breaching Section 144, with several shops being set on fire.
Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Ahsan Habib Palash told reporters that the victims were aged between 20 and 25.
“Several others are also injured, and they are receiving treatment,” he said.
The police officer confirmed that the situation in Guimara is now “under control.”
He said, “The details of who fired the shots and how they were killed are not yet clear. It will be known after the post-mortem report.”
A source from the Bangladesh Army said UPDF members opened fire from the top of the hills.
However, local sources confirmed gunshots from the Bengali settlers’ sides as well. They also said the security forces retaliated with gunshots in reaction.
A tense situation has prevailed in the area as the Jumma Chhatra Janata enforced an indefinite blockade in Khagrachhari over the alleged gang rape of an eighth-grade student.
Citing a severe deterioration of law and order, the district administration on Saturday enforced Section 144 following a day-long protest.
Confirming the deaths, a statement from the home ministry said all the deceased were “hill people.” However, the statement did not mention their identities.
“Three hill people were killed in an attack by criminals in Guimara upazila, and 13 army personnel, including a major, the officer-in-charge of Guimara Police Station, three police members, and several others were injured. The Ministry of Home Affairs expresses deep sorrow over the incident,” the statement read.
It also assured that legal actions would be swiftly taken against those involved after an investigation. “No criminal will be spared,” the statement added.
Khagrachhari Civil Surgeon Mohammed Saber also confirmed the deaths, stating that three persons were brought dead to Sadar hospital.
“Four injured persons were also brought to the hospital,” he added.
The injured are Aunchin Marma, 16, Bikash Tripura, 26, Chingque Marma, 26, Ushu Marma, 22.
Khagrachhari Police Super Arefin Jewel said the situation is under control now.
According to police and locals, the protesters breached Section 144 by creating obstacles on the road.
Upon receiving the news, Major Mazhar Hossain Rabbani, the deputy commander of the Sindhukchhari unit, along with army personnel, went to the spot and asked the protesters to leave the road.
Witnesses said heated words were exchanged between the soldiers and the protesters, eventually leading to an attack on the soldiers, leaving at least 20 people injured, including 13 soldiers and some journalists.
During the blockade, several shops and motorcycles were set on fire, and some houses near the site were also damaged.
Videos and photos of the arson attack also spread on social media.
Most of the affected shop owners in the Ramesu Bazar are reportedly hill people. However, the police and army have not provided an official statement regarding the injuries to the soldiers as of the report’s filing at 8:30pm.
Guimara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Enamul Haque Chowdhury told reporters a tense situation had been prevailing there.
“Further details will be shared later. We are trying to bring the situation under control,” he said.
Local residents Mongsazai Marma and Kongjari Marma alleged that they were peacefully protesting on the road in front of the godown.
When the law enforcement agencies arrived, an altercation ensued. At one point, law enforcement members fired at them, they said.
After the shooting, people fled in fear, and then 20-25 masked individuals arrived at Ramesu Bazar, looted the shops and homes, and set them on fire before leaving the scene.
Parbatya Chattogram Chhatra Parishad (PCCP) in a statement on Sunday blamed the UPDF for opening fire on innocent people under the guise of enforcing a blockade programme.
“Anti-army propaganda is being carried out using humanitarian issues like rape as a shield. Today, 11 patriots have bloodied the army in Guimara, Khagrachhari. Attacks on ambulances carrying corpses, firing on innocent villagers, and attacks on religious places of worship are not part of the democratic movement; they are a well-planned conspiracy and a design to incite communal riots,” PCCP central president Shahadat Hossain Kayes told a rally at Dhaka University.
From the morning, security forces were seen stationed at various intersections, and no shops in or around the market were opened. People out for essential work were being questioned by security forces.
The incident stemmed from a rape accusation involving a hill girl on Tuesday night. She was found unconscious in a field at 11:00pm, and one individual was arrested in connection with the case. The accused was placed on a six-day remand in custody.
In protest of the rape, a blockade campaign under the banner of “Jumma-Chhatra Janata” began early on Saturday morning.
Due to the blockade, traffic was halted on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari-Rangamati, and Khagrachhari-Sajek roads.
The protesters staged demonstrations by burning tyres and blocking roads with tree trunks.
This led to heightened tension and clashes between the two sides.
‘Hill Tracts unrest part of larger conspiracy’
The Bangladesh Army has described the recent communal violence in Khagrachhari and Guimara as part of a larger conspiracy aimed at destabilising the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
In a detailed statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) on Sunday night, the army outlined a timeline of events, blaming the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and its affiliates for inciting unrest, provoking clashes, and engaging in armed attacks.
“These incidents demonstrate a broader conspiracy to destabilise the Hill Tracts and provoke communal riots,” the ISPR release read, adding that evidence has been documented by law enforcement agencies.
The army urged political leaders, community representatives, and all residents of the Hill Tracts to exercise restraint and cooperate with security forces.
