The situation in Khagrachhari Sadar and Guimara Upazila has not fully returned to normal following violence linked to the rape of a hill schoolgirl.
On Tuesday, the fourth day of the “indefinite” road blockade called by the Jumma Chhatra-Janata, a tense atmosphere prevailed across the area. Section 144 remains in force in the municipality, Sadar Upazila, and Guimara.
Although protesters announced a partial lifting of the blockade on the Khagrachhari–Chattogram and Khagrachhari–Dhaka highways on Monday afternoon, traffic on both roads remained completely halted on Tuesday.
Internal roads in the district are still non-functional. Many transport workers expressed concern over potential damage to goods as numerous cargo trucks remain stranded. No new untoward incidents have been reported.
Meanwhile, during a morning press briefing, Region Commander Brigadier General Hasan Mahmud held the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF), which opposes the peace accord, responsible for the recent incidents.
He alleged, “Using the rape incident as leverage, the UPDF is trying to incite communal violence by pushing ordinary hill women and young students into the conflict.”
He added, “In these activities, they have fired domestic and automatic weapons using external militants.”
The region commander appealed to the UPDF to lift the blockade “in the interest of the country” and help restore peace in the area.
