Necessary legal action will be taken against those involved in the incidents of violence in Khagrachari and Rangamati through proper investigation, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The unrest may feed into violent riots in the three hill districts. So, the people of the three districts are specially requested to keep calm and maintain peace and harmony, read the statement.
ISPR details how the violence erupted
The statement read, "On 18 September, a man named Md. Mamun (30), son of the late Nur Nabi, was killed by a mob in Khagrachari following an incident of motorcycle theft. Police later recovered the body and handed it over to the family after an autopsy. The next day, a protest march was organised by Dighinala Government Degree College students, which was attacked by members of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) near Boalkhali Bazar. The attackers fired 20-30 rounds of bullets, which led to the angry crowd setting fire to several shops in the area.
During the clashes, six people were injured and were taken to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex and Khagrachari Sadar Hospital for treatment. The army intervened, bringing the situation under control and extinguishing the fire with the help of the fire brigade and local residents. Tensions spread across Khagrachari Sadar, Dighinala, Panchhari, and nearby areas. Some groups also spread rumors on social media, further escalating the situation.
In response, an emergency virtual meeting was held under the leadership of the District Commissioner, where it was decided that a joint patrol by the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and Ansar would be conducted in the area from 10pm on 19 September to maintain law and order. Local community leaders were also advised to urge all parties to refrain from violence.
Later that night, at around 10:30 pm, an army patrol team was blocked by a group of people led by UPDF militants while transferring a critically ill patient in Khagrachari’s Sonirbhar area. The militants opened fire on the army personnel, who returned fire in self-defense. Three people were reported killed, and several others were injured in the shootout.
In a related incident, a group of unruly locals attacked and beat several youths after stopping their motorcycles in Panchhari. The mob, led by UPDF, also vandalized the local fire brigade office.
On the morning of 20 September, the Parbatya Chhatra Parishad, a student organization backed by PCJSS, organized a protest under the banner of "Anti-Conflict and Discrimination Hill Student Movement" in Rangamati. Between 800 and 1,000 protesters marched towards Banarupa area, where they vandalized and set fire to Banarupa Market Mosque, several banks, CNG autorickshaws, motorcycles, and shops. Several people from both sides were injured in the clashes, prompting the authorities to impose Section 144 in Rangamati Sadar.
The ISPR warned that the ongoing tension in the hill districts could escalate into a large-scale conflict. Law enforcement agencies are urged to work closely with local leaders to restore peace. Investigations are underway to identify those responsible, and appropriate legal actions will be taken. All citizens are requested to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony in the hill districts."
