The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has issued a statement regarding clashes in the three hill districts. On Friday, September 20, the ISPR released a notification.
According to ISPR, on September 18, a young man named Md. Mamun (30) was killed in a mob beating in Khagrachari district over a motorcycle theft incident. The local police recovered the body and handed it over to the family after conducting an autopsy.
Following this incident, on the afternoon of September 19, a protest march was organized from Dighinala College. As the procession passed through Boalkhali Market in Dighinala, armed terrorists of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF, Main Faction) attacked the procession, firing 20-30 rounds. In response, enraged protesters set fire to several shops in Boalkhali Market.
The ISPR further informed that six individuals from both sides were injured in the clashes and were sent for treatment to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex and Khagrachari Sadar Hospital. Later, army patrols arrived at the scene, brought the situation under control, and with the help of the fire brigade and local residents, extinguished the fire.
Following the incident, tension spread across Khagrachari Sadar, Dighinala, Panchhari, and surrounding areas. Additionally, some vested groups began spreading rumors on social media, further escalating the situation.
An emergency virtual meeting was held, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, to quickly restore law and order in Khagrachhari.
In accordance with the meeting’s decision, from the night of September 19, joint patrols by the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Police, and Ansar were initiated in Khagrachhari Sadar, Dighinala, Panchhari, and all other upazilas.
Simultaneously, discussions were held with various community leaders, advising all parties to refrain from engaging in violent activities.
On the same night, a patrol team from Khagrachhari Zone encountered resistance from an agitated crowd, led by UPDF (Main), while transferring a critically ill patient near the Swanirvar area of Khagrachari town at around 10:30 PM. At one point, UPDF (Main) terrorists opened fire on the army patrol team, which responded in self-defense. In the exchange of gunfire, three people were killed and several others were injured.
ISPR also reported that, in a related incident, unruly locals in Panchhari stopped some youths on motorcycles, attacked them, and beat them with sticks. Furthermore, the agitated crowd, under the leadership of UPDF (Main), vandalized the fire brigade office.
On Friday morning, under the banner of the “Anti-Conflict and Anti-Discrimination Hill Student Movement,” supported by the PCJSS, a large group gathered in the Rangamati Gymnasium area in Rangamati district. Around 800-1000 people took out a protest march, moving towards Banarupa area, where they vandalized Banarupa Market Mosque, Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, CNG autorickshaws, motorcycles, and several shops.
As a result, many from both sides were injured. To control the situation, Section 144 was imposed in Rangamati Sadar.
Given the recent incidents, ongoing tensions in the three hill districts could escalate into widespread riots. Leaders are urged to help law enforcement agencies defuse the situation promptly.
ISPR assured that a proper investigation will be conducted to identify the real culprits and take appropriate legal action. The public has been specially requested to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts.