Ethnic minorities block Shahbagh protesting Khagrachhari attacks
More than a hundred people participated in the blockade this noon, reports Prothom Alo
Members of ethnic minority communities blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital today (20 September) afternoon, protesting the recent attacks on ethnic minorities in the Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari.
More than a hundred people participated in the 20-minute blockade. They held up placards with messages like "Save the hills and our culture," and "End militarisation in CHT".
They also called for investigations into human rights violations against ethnic minorities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Earlier in the morning, they gathered at the Raju Memorial Sculpture and demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the attacks, arson, and vandalism of the homes and shops of the hill tracts people.
Violent clashes erupted in the hill districts of Khagrachhari and Rangamati on Thursday, leaving four people dead and over fifty injured.
On Wednesday, tensions escalated following the death of a man named Md Mamun, who was beaten to death on suspicion of theft in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari.
In response, students organised a protest rally where provocative speeches were made, igniting arguments between the Bengali and ethnic minority communities.
During the clash, about 50 shops at Larma Square in Dighinala upazila were set on fire by arsonists. Five people were injured in the incident.
