Wednesday, 01 October, 2025
Clashes between hill activists and Bengali residents over the alleged rape of a Marma schoolgirl left more than 50 people injured in Khagrachhari on Saturday, prompting the administration to impose Section 144 across several areas and deploy heavy security forces.
Tension flared shortly after noon when protesters under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata enforced a daylong hartal, blocking roads with burning tyres and felled trees. By 1pm, confrontations erupted near Khagrachhari Government College and the Upazila Parishad complex, spreading to Mohajanpara, Khejur Bagan, Chengri Square, and Narikel Bagan.
The clashes — marked by chase-and-counterchase lasting over three hours — were further aggravated by gunfire from unidentified assailants, according to police. The violence left more than 50 people injured, including 23 treated at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital, said Civil Surgeon Md Saber.
Several properties came under attack, with Bengali-owned shops at Swonirvor Market looted and hotels including Aranya Bilash and Mount Inn vandalised. Vehicles, including battery-run rickshaws, were damaged, while ambulances carrying bodies were also attacked in Alutila Rehabilitation area, injuring at least one driver.
To contain the situation, the administration deployed police, Army personnel, and seven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondker said Section 144 was imposed in Khagrachhari Municipality, Sadar Upazila, and Guimara Upazila for an indefinite period, beginning at 2pm Saturday. Violators, authorities warned, will face legal consequences.
The unrest followed the arrest of 19-year-old Shayon Sheel earlier in the week in connection with the alleged rape. Protests demanding justice had been building for days, culminating in Saturday’s hartal that brought road transport across the Dhaka–Chittagong–Khagrachhari highway and adjoining routes to a standstill.
Meanwhile, the Army and police evacuated more than 100 stranded tourists from Sajek via Dighinala under tight security. Officials said they would be escorted to their destinations Saturday night or Sunday morning.
The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) expressed concern over the escalating violence and urged both indigenous and Bengali communities to exercise restraint, safeguard communal harmony, and remain calm ahead of the Durga Puja festival.
Tourists Evacuated
The situation across Khagrachhari remained tense as security forces moved to protect civilians. Army and police personnel escorted more than 100 stranded tourists from Sajek to Khagrachhari via Dighinala upazila under military and BGB protection. Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondker said the tourists would be taken to their destinations by Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Hartal Protest Context
The daylong hartal, enforced by Jumma Chhatra Janata from 6am to 6pm, was called to protest the alleged rape of a schoolgirl and demand justice. The strike brought all vehicle movement to a standstill on the Dhaka–Chittagong–Khagrachhari highway and its connecting routes.
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Clashes between hill activists and Bengali residents over the alleged rape of a Marma schoolgirl left more than 50 people injured in Khagrachhari on Saturday, prompting the administration to impose Section 144 across several areas and deploy heavy security forces.
Tension flared shortly after noon when protesters under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata enforced a daylong hartal, blocking roads with burning tyres and felled trees. By 1pm, confrontations erupted near Khagrachhari Government College and the Upazila Parishad complex, spreading to Mohajanpara, Khejur Bagan, Chengri Square, and Narikel Bagan.
The clashes — marked by chase-and-counterchase lasting over three hours — were further aggravated by gunfire from unidentified assailants, according to police. The violence left more than 50 people injured, including 23 treated at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital, said Civil Surgeon Md Saber.
Several properties came under attack, with Bengali-owned shops at Swonirvor Market looted and hotels including Aranya Bilash and Mount Inn vandalised. Vehicles, including battery-run rickshaws, were damaged, while ambulances carrying bodies were also attacked in Alutila Rehabilitation area, injuring at least one driver.
To contain the situation, the administration deployed police, Army personnel, and seven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondker said Section 144 was imposed in Khagrachhari Municipality, Sadar Upazila, and Guimara Upazila for an indefinite period, beginning at 2pm Saturday. Violators, authorities warned, will face legal consequences.
The unrest followed the arrest of 19-year-old Shayon Sheel earlier in the week in connection with the alleged rape. Protests demanding justice had been building for days, culminating in Saturday’s hartal that brought road transport across the Dhaka–Chittagong–Khagrachhari highway and adjoining routes to a standstill.
Meanwhile, the Army and police evacuated more than 100 stranded tourists from Sajek via Dighinala under tight security. Officials said they would be escorted to their destinations Saturday night or Sunday morning.
The Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) expressed concern over the escalating violence and urged both indigenous and Bengali communities to exercise restraint, safeguard communal harmony, and remain calm ahead of the Durga Puja festival.
Tourists Evacuated
The situation across Khagrachhari remained tense as security forces moved to protect civilians. Army and police personnel escorted more than 100 stranded tourists from Sajek to Khagrachhari via Dighinala upazila under military and BGB protection. Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondker said the tourists would be taken to their destinations by Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Hartal Protest Context
The daylong hartal, enforced by Jumma Chhatra Janata from 6am to 6pm, was called to protest the alleged rape of a schoolgirl and demand justice. The strike brought all vehicle movement to a standstill on the Dhaka–Chittagong–Khagrachhari highway and its connecting routes.
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