Army withdraws temporary camp plan in Khagrachhari's Barmachari considering local opinions

The Bangladesh Army has withdrawn its plan to establish a temporary camp in the Barmachari area of Laxmichhari upazila under Khagrachhari district in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, citing the need to consider local opinions and explore alternative arrangements.

Army officials disclosed the decision during a views-exchange meeting held today (27 October) at the Fatikchhari union parishad in Rangamati's Kawkhali upazila.

According to sources, the proposed camp site was located in a remote tri-district area connecting Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Chattogram. Law enforcement agencies had earlier claimed that armed ethnic groups operated from this strategic point.

However, on 24 October, several hundred locals staged a protest rally demanding the withdrawal of the camp decision.

They argued that the area had remained peaceful since independence with no record of communal violence, and that a new camp would disrupt the movement of locals — especially women and monks travelling to and from the Barmachari Aryakalyan Bana Bihar, which they claimed owned the proposed land.

During the meeting, Lt Col Md Tajul Islam, zone commander of Laxmichhari Zone, said, "On 24 October, an armed group named UPDF spread rumours on social media to gather people for a protest."

He added, "A memorandum was later submitted to the GOC [general officer commanding] of the 24 Infantry Division. After reviewing the issue, the GOC instructed us to respect local sentiment. The army will not act against the wishes of the local population. We are now considering alternative options."

Lakshmichhari Assistant Commissioner (Land) Khadija Tahir, who also holds the same post in Manikchari, stated, "The Forest Department has claimed the land as part of its gazetted property. We will review and verify the matter."