Khagrachhari violence: Blockade disrupts daily life for 4th day
Streets in Khagrachhari town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs
Highlights
- Chattogram-Khagrachhari and Dhaka-Khagrachhari highways partially reopened, but long-distance buses remain suspended
- Section 144 continues in Sadar and Guimara upazilas, with army, BGB, and police patrolling the area
- The blockade was called to protest the 23 September rape of a 12-year-old Marma schoolgirl and demand the arrest of all perpetrators
- Three people were killed in Sunday's armed attack in Guimara upazila
The indefinite road blockade enforced by Jumma students and local residents entered its fourth day today (30 September), severely disrupting normal life in the hill district.
Although the blockade has been relaxed on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari and Dhaka-Khagrachhari highways, long-distance bus services are yet to resume.
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Movement on internal roads also remains limited, with only a few auto-rickshaws and easy bikes seen operating.
The announcement of the relaxation was made through a Facebook post by the Jumma students and residents on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, Section 144 imposed by the local administration remains in effect in Sadar and Guimara upazilas.
Khagrachhari BGB Sector Commander Colonel Md Abdul Moktakim yesterday urged all communities to maintain peace and harmony during this sensitive time.
He also assured that the BGB would continue to stand by the local population until the situation stabilises.
To prevent further unrest, nine BGB platoons have been deployed, with two additional platoons kept on standby.
Earlier on Sunday, three people were shot dead and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila.
The Jumma students, under the banner of Jumma Chatra-Janata (Jumma student-masses), called the blockade protesting the rape of a 12-year-old Marma schoolgirl on September 23.
Since Sunday morning, the movement of all modes of transport has been suspended, leaving daily life in disarray.
The demonstrators have also demanded the arrest of all perpetrators involved in rapes against women in the hills.
Streets in Khagrachhari town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs.
Army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police forces continue to patrol different areas.
The term Jumma refers collectively to the indigenous peoples of the three districts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Police on Monday disclosed the identities of those killed in Sunday's attack. They were Akhrau Marma, 22, Teiching Marma, 20, Athuiprue Marma, 21, all residents of Guimara.
