Print: 28 Oct 2025
Photo : UNB
The government has pledged to restore peace and order in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) following a spate of deadly violence on Thursday and Friday in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, which left at least four people dead.
To bring the culprits to book, a high-powered probe committee will soon be formed to investigate the incidents, authorities announced.
The government is “deeply saddened and distressed” by the ongoing assaults, attacks, and loss of life following the lynching and subsequent death of a person on 18 September, according to a statement from the chief adviser’s office (CAO) on Friday.
A high-level government delegation, led by Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, will visit Khagrachhari and Rangamati today.
The delegation also includes the CHT adviser, the local government adviser, and the special assistant to the Chief Adviser on defence and national integration.
Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the safety of all residents in the three hill districts. In addition, the government has urged everyone not to take the law into their own hands or engage in destructive activities.
“Taking the law into one’s own hands and destroying property is a punishable offence,” reiterated the statement issued by the CAO’s press wing.
The government has also committed to ensuring a fair investigation of all incidents related to the violence, with those responsible being held accountable.
“A strong investigation committee will be constituted soon for this purpose. The concerned authorities have been instructed to ensure proper treatment of the injured,” said the government.
ISPR seeks community leaders’ support
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday expressed fear that the ongoing tension following recent incidents may escalate into violent riots in the three hill districts.
It urgently appealed to key community figures to support law enforcement agencies in de-escalating the situation.
The statement added that appropriate legal action would be taken after the identification of the actual perpetrators through a thorough investigation.
The public was specifically urged to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts.
Violent clashes leave four dead, many injured
At least four people were killed, and dozens were injured in violence centring on the lynching of a youth and subsequent arson attacks in the hilly districts of Khagrachari and Rangamati on Thursday and Friday.
The authorities concerned imposed Section 144 in both districts amid escalating tension to prevent further untoward incidents.
Confirming the deaths to the Daily Sun, Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Ahsan Habib said security measures have been increased with the deployment of additional forces, while joint patrols by the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police have been launched to restore law and order in the districts.
Three of the deceased were identified as Dhananjoy Chakma, 50, Rubel Tripura, 25, and Junan Chakma, 20. Dhananjoy died on Thursday night, while Rubel and Junan passed away in the early hours of Friday while undergoing treatment at Khagrachari Sadar Hospital.
Rising tensions: Protests, armed clashes
The unrest began after a youth, identified as Mohammad Mamun, 30, son of late Nur Nabi of Khagrachari district headquarters, was lynched on allegations of stealing a motorbike in Dighinala Upazila on Wednesday.
Protests followed the death, with a procession being brought out from Dighinala College on Thursday afternoon. As the procession reached Boalkhali Bazar, it was attacked by members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), who fired 20-30 rounds of bullets.
In retaliation, the agitated protesters set fire to several business establishments. A patrol team from the Army arrived on the scene and brought the situation under control, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.
A tense situation continued to prevail in various parts of the district, particularly in the Swanirvor area of Khagrachari district headquarters. There, a group of people led by the UPDF opened fire on an Army patrol team around 10:30pm as the soldiers were transporting a patient.
In response, the Army fired back in self-defence, leading to the deaths of three people and injuries to several others, according to the ISPR.
Sixteen people were admitted to Khagrachari Sadar Hospital on Thursday night, and three later died from their injuries, said the hospital’s Resident Medical Officer, Ripol Bappi Chakma.
Four critically injured individuals were transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
Escalation in violence, damage
The UPDF also attacked the Fire Service and Civil Defence office in Panchhari Upazila on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Khagrachari’s deputy commissioner (DC), superintendent of police, and the Dighinala Army Zone commander visited Dighinala on Friday to speak with the affected communities.
DC Md Shahiduzzaman called on everyone to remain united and prevent a recurrence of the violence.
He also confirmed that 102 shops were gutted in the violence, and the district administration would provide assistance to those affected.
Violence spreads to Rangamati
In Rangamati, local sources reported that hundreds of tribal people staged a protest on Friday morning, starting from the Gymnasium area in Rangamati district headquarters. The protesters vandalised and set fire to Banarupa Bazar Masjid, Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, various shops, and vehicles.
At one point, clashes erupted between the protesters and Bengali residents, resulting in around 50 injuries.
Those injured were rushed to Rangamati General Hospital, where one person later died from their injuries. The identities of the deceased and injured could not be confirmed.
Joint patrols by the police, Army, and BGB have been launched to restore order in the city, according to local sources.
The district administration imposed Section 144, restricting gatherings until further notice. Rangamati’s Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan announced that Section 144 had been imposed in the Rangamati municipal area from 1:30pm on Friday to prevent further violence and restore peace.
Allies of defeated forces responsible for CHT unrest: Fakhrul
Expressing grave concern over the ongoing unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday stated that the allies of the defeated forces are still conspiring to create chaos in the country.
“The people have been relieved of the horrific misdeeds of the fascist Awami League government, but the nation is still not secure as the allies of the defeated forces are desperate to foment anarchy,” he said.
In a press statement following the incident, Fakhrul noted that the conspirators cannot accept the historic victory of the student-led movement and have resorted to nationwide violence in an attempt to destabilise the current interim government.
“These violent incidents and casualties are brutal manifestations of the conspiracy, and there is no alternative but to suppress the terrorist group with a firm hand,” said the BNP leader.
Fakhrul also called on the public, irrespective of party affiliation, to remain vigilant so that the conspirators cannot achieve their objectives through bloodshed.
In the statement, he further demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the violence.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, expressed sympathy to the bereaved families, and wished for the swift recovery of those injured in the attacks.
Protests in Chattogram
Meanwhile, a group of indigenous people staged a demonstration in Chattogram city’s Cheragi Pahar intersection on Friday afternoon to protest against the violence in the hill districts.
The protesters demanded the arrest and punishment of the attackers involved in the recent clashes.
Protests erupt in Dhaka: Demonstrators block Shahbagh
Several hundred members of indigenous communities also blocked the capital’s Shahbagh intersection on Friday noon for more than 20 minutes, demanding justice for the violence in Khagrachari and Rangamati over the past two days.
The protesters blamed the delays in fully implementing the Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) Accord as the root cause of the unrest. Many stated they opposed separatism but sought protection for indigenous people’s rights.
Earlier, students from different departments of Dhaka University (DU) gathered at the Raju Memorial Sculpture area on the campus.
One of the key organisers of Friday’s demonstrations, DU student Satej Chakma, claimed that vested groups were always seeking opportunities to marginalise indigenous people in the CHT.
He urged the authorities to resolve the long-standing issues affecting the ethnic communities in the region, warning that otherwise, the indigenous people would be forced to launch a stricter movement to make the authorities yield to their demands.
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Violence In Khagrachhari, Rangamati
Govt pledges action against culprits, order in CHT
Photo : UNB
The government has pledged to restore peace and order in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) following a spate of deadly violence on Thursday and Friday in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, which left at least four people dead.
To bring the culprits to book, a high-powered probe committee will soon be formed to investigate the incidents, authorities announced.
The government is “deeply saddened and distressed” by the ongoing assaults, attacks, and loss of life following the lynching and subsequent death of a person on 18 September, according to a statement from the chief adviser’s office (CAO) on Friday.
A high-level government delegation, led by Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, will visit Khagrachhari and Rangamati today.
The delegation also includes the CHT adviser, the local government adviser, and the special assistant to the Chief Adviser on defence and national integration.
Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the safety of all residents in the three hill districts. In addition, the government has urged everyone not to take the law into their own hands or engage in destructive activities.
“Taking the law into one’s own hands and destroying property is a punishable offence,” reiterated the statement issued by the CAO’s press wing.
The government has also committed to ensuring a fair investigation of all incidents related to the violence, with those responsible being held accountable.
“A strong investigation committee will be constituted soon for this purpose. The concerned authorities have been instructed to ensure proper treatment of the injured,” said the government.
ISPR seeks community leaders’ support
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday expressed fear that the ongoing tension following recent incidents may escalate into violent riots in the three hill districts.
It urgently appealed to key community figures to support law enforcement agencies in de-escalating the situation.
The statement added that appropriate legal action would be taken after the identification of the actual perpetrators through a thorough investigation.
The public was specifically urged to maintain peace and harmony in the three hill districts.
Violent clashes leave four dead, many injured
At least four people were killed, and dozens were injured in violence centring on the lynching of a youth and subsequent arson attacks in the hilly districts of Khagrachari and Rangamati on Thursday and Friday.
The authorities concerned imposed Section 144 in both districts amid escalating tension to prevent further untoward incidents.
Confirming the deaths to the Daily Sun, Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Ahsan Habib said security measures have been increased with the deployment of additional forces, while joint patrols by the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police have been launched to restore law and order in the districts.
Three of the deceased were identified as Dhananjoy Chakma, 50, Rubel Tripura, 25, and Junan Chakma, 20. Dhananjoy died on Thursday night, while Rubel and Junan passed away in the early hours of Friday while undergoing treatment at Khagrachari Sadar Hospital.
Rising tensions: Protests, armed clashes
The unrest began after a youth, identified as Mohammad Mamun, 30, son of late Nur Nabi of Khagrachari district headquarters, was lynched on allegations of stealing a motorbike in Dighinala Upazila on Wednesday.
Protests followed the death, with a procession being brought out from Dighinala College on Thursday afternoon. As the procession reached Boalkhali Bazar, it was attacked by members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), who fired 20-30 rounds of bullets.
In retaliation, the agitated protesters set fire to several business establishments. A patrol team from the Army arrived on the scene and brought the situation under control, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.
A tense situation continued to prevail in various parts of the district, particularly in the Swanirvor area of Khagrachari district headquarters. There, a group of people led by the UPDF opened fire on an Army patrol team around 10:30pm as the soldiers were transporting a patient.
In response, the Army fired back in self-defence, leading to the deaths of three people and injuries to several others, according to the ISPR.
Sixteen people were admitted to Khagrachari Sadar Hospital on Thursday night, and three later died from their injuries, said the hospital’s Resident Medical Officer, Ripol Bappi Chakma.
Four critically injured individuals were transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
Escalation in violence, damage
The UPDF also attacked the Fire Service and Civil Defence office in Panchhari Upazila on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Khagrachari’s deputy commissioner (DC), superintendent of police, and the Dighinala Army Zone commander visited Dighinala on Friday to speak with the affected communities.
DC Md Shahiduzzaman called on everyone to remain united and prevent a recurrence of the violence.
He also confirmed that 102 shops were gutted in the violence, and the district administration would provide assistance to those affected.
Violence spreads to Rangamati
In Rangamati, local sources reported that hundreds of tribal people staged a protest on Friday morning, starting from the Gymnasium area in Rangamati district headquarters. The protesters vandalised and set fire to Banarupa Bazar Masjid, Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, various shops, and vehicles.
At one point, clashes erupted between the protesters and Bengali residents, resulting in around 50 injuries.
Those injured were rushed to Rangamati General Hospital, where one person later died from their injuries. The identities of the deceased and injured could not be confirmed.
Joint patrols by the police, Army, and BGB have been launched to restore order in the city, according to local sources.
The district administration imposed Section 144, restricting gatherings until further notice. Rangamati’s Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan announced that Section 144 had been imposed in the Rangamati municipal area from 1:30pm on Friday to prevent further violence and restore peace.
Allies of defeated forces responsible for CHT unrest: Fakhrul
Expressing grave concern over the ongoing unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday stated that the allies of the defeated forces are still conspiring to create chaos in the country.
“The people have been relieved of the horrific misdeeds of the fascist Awami League government, but the nation is still not secure as the allies of the defeated forces are desperate to foment anarchy,” he said.
In a press statement following the incident, Fakhrul noted that the conspirators cannot accept the historic victory of the student-led movement and have resorted to nationwide violence in an attempt to destabilise the current interim government.
“These violent incidents and casualties are brutal manifestations of the conspiracy, and there is no alternative but to suppress the terrorist group with a firm hand,” said the BNP leader.
Fakhrul also called on the public, irrespective of party affiliation, to remain vigilant so that the conspirators cannot achieve their objectives through bloodshed.
In the statement, he further demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the violence.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, expressed sympathy to the bereaved families, and wished for the swift recovery of those injured in the attacks.
Protests in Chattogram
Meanwhile, a group of indigenous people staged a demonstration in Chattogram city’s Cheragi Pahar intersection on Friday afternoon to protest against the violence in the hill districts.
The protesters demanded the arrest and punishment of the attackers involved in the recent clashes.
Protests erupt in Dhaka: Demonstrators block Shahbagh
Several hundred members of indigenous communities also blocked the capital’s Shahbagh intersection on Friday noon for more than 20 minutes, demanding justice for the violence in Khagrachari and Rangamati over the past two days.
The protesters blamed the delays in fully implementing the Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) Accord as the root cause of the unrest. Many stated they opposed separatism but sought protection for indigenous people’s rights.
Earlier, students from different departments of Dhaka University (DU) gathered at the Raju Memorial Sculpture area on the campus.
One of the key organisers of Friday’s demonstrations, DU student Satej Chakma, claimed that vested groups were always seeking opportunities to marginalise indigenous people in the CHT.
He urged the authorities to resolve the long-standing issues affecting the ethnic communities in the region, warning that otherwise, the indigenous people would be forced to launch a stricter movement to make the authorities yield to their demands.