Students and members of ethnic minority communities on Friday held protests in Dhaka following clashes between two groups in Dighinala, Khagrachhari.
The demonstration took place on Friday at 10am near the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University, after which protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection around noon for approximately half an hour.
The protesters demanded constitutional recognition for minority communities, effective implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission, and an end to land grabbing under the guise of tourism.
They also called for a strengthening of the Regional Council for the Chittagong Hill Tracts and a fair trial regarding the recent clashes in Dighinala.
Shankalerm Chakma, a sociology student at Dhaka University, said: "A group is attacking the ethnic minority groups to destabilize the country. Yesterday (Thursday), some miscreants attacked markets and homes in Dighinala, causing destruction and arson. They are still attacking us today. We want a quick resolution and demand exemplary punishment for the criminals."
Khalid Monsur, officer in charge of Shahbagh police station, said that some students blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 12pm, protesting the Dighinala incident and calling for swift justice. They maintained their presence for about 15 minutes before moving back to the university area.