Khagrachhari gang rape protest: Govt says 3 killed in attack by miscreants, regrets casualties
Thirteen army personnel, three policemen, and several locals were also injured, says the home ministry
At least three local people were killed and more than 16 people, including 13 army personnel and three policemen, were injured in an attack carried out by miscreants in Khagrachhari's Guimara upazila today (28 September), says the home ministry.
In a statement issued this evening, the ministry expressed regret over the casualties and pledged that legal action would be taken against those responsible following an immediate investigation.
No criminals will be spared, read the statement, urging all to stay calm and remain patient.
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Quoting police, Prothom Alo reported that all three individuals were shot dead.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Chittagong range) Ahsan Habib Palash told Prothom Alo that the three bodies are at the hospital, but the exact circumstances of the shooting are still unclear.
Khagrachhari District Civil Surgeon Mohammad Saber confirmed that the bodies of three men from Guimara arrived at Khagrachhari District Hospital and are being kept in the morgue.
An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow morning, he said adding that four injured individuals from the incident are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Earlier in the day, there were reports that violent clashes took place between law enforcers and Jumma Chhatra Janata in the upazila during a protest over the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl.
The district administration imposed Section 144 from 2pm yesterday in Khagrachhari municipality, Sadar upazila, and Guimara upazila, citing a "serious deterioration of law and order and risk of harm to lives and property." It has been extended indefinitely.
The protests began on Wednesday (24 September), when Jumma Chhatra-Janata demanded justice for the gang rape of a Marma girl in the Singinala area of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila.
During Saturday's blockade, protesters and counter-groups clashed in Sadar Upazila Parishad, Mohajan Para, Narikel Bagan, Chengi Square, and Shahid Kader Road.
Police reportedly intervened with tear gas and blank shots to disperse the groups.
According to media reports, at least 25 people were injured, one critically, and several shops in Swanirbhar and Narikel Bagan were attacked.
According to the survivor's father, his daughter went missing while returning from private tuition on Tuesday night (23 September). She was later found unconscious in a field and admitted to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital.
Police said a 19-year-old suspect, Shayan Sheel, was arrested with the help of the army and placed on a five-day remand. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other suspects.
Earlier, protesters blocked roads with tree trunks and bricks, set tyres on fire, vandalised an ambulance in Alutila, and attacked an auto-rickshaw in Narankhaiya.
