The “Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK)”, a leading legal rights group in the country, has expressed concerns over the recent violence, casualties and arson in Khagrachhari.
However, the rights body urged the government to investigate whether “excessive force” was used to quell the clashes, according to a statement issued on Monday.
“If any incident of excessive force has occurred, the government must immediately investigate and take appropriate action,” the ASK also said.
The rights group emphasised the need for evidence-based accountability against those responsible and ensuring the safety for the rape victim and her family. It noted that tensions frequently erupt in the hill tracts, often leading to casualties and destruction.
“The recurrence of such incidents appears to be due to the lack of thorough investigations into past events and failure to address the underlying causes,” the statement read.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s multi-ethnic and multicultural identity, the ASK said, “This diversity is our strength, not division. Establishing peace in the hills is not only crucial for indigenous communities but also inseparably linked with national unity and the country’s image.”
The statement further stressed, “Violence, fear and provocation are never solutions. They only fuel mistrust and instability, hindering the progress of the state. We must remember that citizens’ rights are equal for all—any injustice, discrimination, or insecurity faced by a group ultimately harms the state itself.”
On Sunday, at least three indigenous people were killed and several others, including 13 army personnel, were injured in a three-way gun battle involving security forces, Bengali settlers, and members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari.
Witnesses said the clash broke out around 1pm on Sunday at Ramsu Bazar while Section 144 in force with miscreants torched several shops.
Following the incident, the “Jumma Chhatra-Janata” on Sunday announced an indefinite blockade across the three hill districts—Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari.
Earlier, on Saturday, a road blockade was observed in Khagrachhari in protest against the rape of a schoolgirl, leading to sporadic clashes.
