Joint Patrols Continue, Situation Under Control in Rangamati
The clashes between hill people and Bengalis in Khagrachhari spread to the neighboring district of Rangamati yesterday. In response to the violence, the army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have intensified their patrols since Friday night. The situation in Rangamati is now reported to be calm.
As of Saturday morning (September 21), the town of Rangamati is completely peaceful, with a heavy presence of security personnel on the streets.
However, a 72-hour blockade of roads and waterways, known as the 'CHT Blockade,' commenced at 6:00 AM on Saturday across the three hill districts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban. As a result of the blockade, no long-distance vehicles are operating in these areas, significantly impacting local residents. Public transport is currently absent, though goods vehicles are still in operation. Protesters have not been observed on the roads, and private vehicles, including motorcycles, are using internal routes.
In a related development, three advisors to the interim government visited Rangamati and Khagrachhari today to assess the situation. The delegation included Home Advisor Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs (CHT) Advisor Supradip Chakma, and Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives Advisor A.F. Hassan Ariff. They are engaging with local communities to discuss the ongoing situation.
Earlier, on Friday (September 20), Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus conveyed a message emphasizing the government's commitment to resolving the issues in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, urging everyone to remain calm.
The message expressed the government's deep sorrow regarding the ongoing violence and loss of life following the lynching of a man on September 18. It directed all law enforcement agencies to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the safety of residents in the three hill districts, reaffirming the government’s determination to restore peace and harmony.
Previously, after a violent incident in Khagrachhari that resulted in three deaths, violence spread to Rangamati, leading to another fatality. In response, the district administration has imposed Section 144 to help control the situation.
Comments