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Body formed to investigate Khagrachhari unrest

October 01, 2025 00:00:00


The Khagrachhari district administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate the deadly violence in Guimara Upazila.

Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker announced the decision on Tuesday afternoon while inspecting the areas affected by the violence, reports bdnews24.com.

During his visit, Iftekharul spoke with residents who suffered and listened to their grievances.

He assured them of government support, saying: "Today we have come here to express our condolences to those who have been affected. We express our commiserations to them. Initiatives will be taken to relocate them. We will take responsibility for the treatment of those who are undergoing treatment."

The district administrator said officials had already met with leaders of the protest blockade.

"Out of the eight-point list of demands they presented, we have addressed seven," he said.

"We want the issue to be resolved at the negotiating table. If they withdraw the blockade, we will also withdraw Section 144."

Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewel said the families of those killed in Guimara had been urged to file cases.

"If they do not, the police will file a case as the plaintiff," he said.

Section 144, which restricts public gatherings, has been in effect in Khagrachhari for four days. Security checkpoints have been set up across the district, where law enforcing agencies are stopping and questioning travellers.

Some battery-powered autorickshaws are operating inside the municipal area, but the overall atmosphere remains tense.

The restrictions have hit tourism hard, with visitors stranded as long-distance bus service remains suspended.

Freight trucks, however, have been allowed to travel to their destinations, the deputy commissioner said.

The current spell of unrest began after a Marma teenager was found "unconscious" in a field on Sept 23.

Her father subsequently filed a rape complaint at the Sadar Police Station. Police, with assistance from the Army, arrested a suspect the next day. Protests demanding justice soon erupted across Khagrachhari and turned violent.

Despite the imposition of a ban on public gatherings under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and deployment of additional Army and BGB troops, the situation deteriorated. On Sunday, three people were shot dead during clashes in Guimara.

The victims, all aged between 20 and 22, were residents of Upazila's Halfchhari Union.

They were named as Teiching Marma, 20, son of Alakai Marma from Ramsu Bazar, Athuihpru Marma, 21, son of Thuhlaiang Marma from Amtali Para, and Akhrao Marma, 22, son of Hasu Marma from Cheng Guli Para.

A Army major was reportedly among 16 personnel injured in the clashes, while the Guimara Police Station chief and two others were also hurt.


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