After days of unrest, blockade in Khagrachhari lifted following fresh talks with administration
The Jumma Chatra-Janata, however, warns that they will launch tougher programmes if their demands are not met.
The Jumma Chatra-Janata has fully withdrawn its blockade in Khagrachhari today (4 October), following a new round of talks with the local administration, after several days of unrest sparked by the alleged rape of a Marma teenager.
The group had earlier suspended the programme until tomorrow (5 October) but announced a full withdrawal in a press statement issued this morning.
According to the statement, the decision was made to allow religious rituals for the deceased, provide humanitarian assistance to the injured and affected families, and in partial consideration of assurances from the administration.
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A second round of talks took place on Wednesday (1 October) between the Jumma Chatra-Janata and local authorities, including the district council chairman, deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, and representatives from the National Security Intelligence, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, and additional superintendent of police (investigation).
During the meeting, the group reiterated its eight demands, which included the withdrawal of Section 144 – a restriction on gatherings – and exemplary punishment for those responsible for recent killings in Khagrachhari Sadar and Guimara.
The administration assured them that necessary measures would be taken to address the demands and announced Tk50,000 in financial assistance for each bereaved family.
The group, however, warned that they would launch tougher programmes if their demands were not fulfilled.
The blockade was first announced on 27 September following the alleged rape of a Marma teenage girl on 23 September, which sparked widespread protests in the district.
Although a three-member medical board later reported finding no evidence of rape, the protests led to violent clashes between protesters and those opposing the blockade on 27 and 28 September, leaving three people dead and more than 16 injured.
The district administration imposed Section 144 indefinitely on 27 September.
On Tuesday (30 September), the deputy commissioner said the restriction would be lifted once the blockade ended and the law and order situation improved.
What are the eight demands?
According to its Facebook post, the demands the platform has voiced are: the administration must be legally bound to halt any kind of attack, arrest, baton charge or communal violence during and after the dialogue period; the remaining two accused in the rape case must be arrested immediately and given exemplary punishment through trial, the already arrested accused must be tried swiftly with notification published in the government gazette and the victim must be provided with adequate financial compensation and full rehabilitation.
It also says an independent, impartial and judicial inquiry must be ensured into the killings, looting, arson and shootings that took place on 27 and 28 September in Khagrachhari and Guimara, and the investigation report must be effectively submitted to us within a maximum of 10 days.
It demands that the state guarantee full compensation for damages caused by attacks and arson against innocent and unarmed civilians, and all medical expenses of the injured be borne by the district/state authorities.
If, with the army's support or infiltration, any assault is carried out to break the peaceful blockade, immediate legal action and redress must be ensured against those responsible, it adds.
The Jumma Chatra-Janata says all individuals detained in connection with the movement must be released immediately and unconditionally, and a transparent and independent investigation into the attacks of 27 and 28 September must be carried out to bring the perpetrators under the law and ensure their punishment.
Families of those killed must receive Tk20 lakh each, those severely injured must receive Tk10 lakh each, those with minor injuries must receive Tk2 lakh each and those whose homes, shops or establishments were damaged must be compensated with Tk5 lakh each, the group says.
It also demands that the tag identifying the platform and one of its coordinators, Ukyanu Marma, as being affiliated with the UPDF, as stated in an ISPR press release, must be withdrawn immediately. "At the same time, swift legal action must be taken against the spread of rumours and misleading propaganda about the hills online."
