Bangladesh army appeals for calm amid deadly violence in hill areas

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said, “The ongoing tension in the three hill districts may turn into violent riots. Prominent persons are urgently requested to assist law enforcement agencies in defusing the prevailing tension.”

It added, “Necessary legal action will be taken after identifying the real culprits through proper investigation. People are specifically requested to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts.”

It is notable that the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has a long history of conflicts. In 1997, the Bangladesh government signed a peace accord with the Parbatta Chittagong Janasanghati Samiti, the largest tribal group, which controlled a militia called the Shanti Bahini. Following the accord, some smaller groups, including the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), rejected it.

The statement said that on September 18, deceased Noor Nabi's father, Mohammed Mamun (30), was beaten to death by some people in Khagrachari district headquarters on charges of stealing a motorcycle.

Later, the Sadar police recovered the body of the deceased and handed it over to the family after post-mortem, the statement said.

“Based on this incident, a protest march was taken out from Dighinala College the next day (September 19) afternoon. When the procession was passing through Boulkhali bazaar in Dighinala, some UPDF (native) militants attacked the procession and fired 20-30 rounds. The angry mob then set fire to some shops in the Boulkhali bazaar,” the statement said.

“It is noteworthy that six persons from both the sides were injured during the clash and they were rushed to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex and Khagrachari Sadar Hospital for treatment,” the statement said.

The statement said, “Later the army patrol team reached the spot and brought the situation under control and with the help of fire brigade and local people the fire was brought under control. Due to the said incident tension spread in Khagrachari district headquarters, Dighinala, Panchari and surrounding areas. At the same time, some selfish people gradually made the situation more exciting by spreading rumors through social media.”

“UPDF (local) militants opened fire on members of the army patrol while they were carrying an unconscious patient in Khagrachari town and the army retaliated in self-defence. Three persons were reported killed and some injured in the incident,” the statement said.