Image: Courtesy
At least three killed and over 50 injured in a clash between ethnic community people and Bengalis at Dighinala in Khagrachari district on Thursday night.
The deceased are identified as Junan Chakma (20), Dhananjay Chakma (50) and Rubel Chakma (30).
On Thursday night (around 10:30 PM) heavy gunfire was heard in Narankhkhaiya of the district town. Panic spread throughout the area as gunshots were heard till late at night.
Among them, Dhananjay Chakma died in a clash at Dighinala on Thursday evening. The other two were brought to the hospital from Khagrachari Sadar in the night with injuries.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Khagrachari Sadar Hospital Ripple Bappi Chakma told media that 16 people were brought to the hospital with injuries during the night. Most of them came from Sadar Upazila at night. Three of them died. The cause of death of the deceased will be known after the autopsy. Currently, nine people are under treatment in the hospital.
The bodies of the three are now at the morgue of the hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, the clash broke out at the Dighinala Larma Square area around 5 pm on Thursday. On Wednesday, a man named Mohammad Mamun (30) was allegedly beaten up for stealing a motorcycle. The injured Mamun died under treatment on Wednesday. He is a resident of Khagrachari Sadar Upazila.
Later, Bengalis brought out a protest march at Dighinala on Thursday afternoon. It is alleged that the tribal people obstructed the procession at that time, ensuing the clash. At one stage, the many homes and shops of the tribal people were set on fire.
Lokman Hossain, a resident of Boalkhali Bazar area, said that they brought out a peaceful procession demanding justice for Mamun's murder. Later the tribal men came and prevented it. This has caused trouble.
Ripon Chakma, a resident of Lerma Square area, denied the allegation saying that our community did not prevent the procession. The procession was suddenly attacked and then houses and shops set on fire.
Dighinala Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mamunur Rashid said that 102 shops at Dighinala Bus Station and Lerma Square area were burnt in the fire. Among them there are 78 shops of Chakma community and 24 shops of Bengali community. Four shops were vandalized. Local public representatives and law enforcement officers are working together to restore peace. The administration has beefed up security.
Meanwhile, protesters have called for a 72-hour blockade of roads and waterways in Chattogram starting tomorrow (September 21).
Students and the general public made the announcement on Friday (September 20).
They are pressing for the implementation of the CHT Peace Accord and various demands