The hill district of Khagrachhari descended into chaos on Sunday as protests over a teenage girl’s alleged rape escalated into deadly violence. Local administration reported that at least three people were killed and several others injured in Guimara upazila during clashes between security forces and demonstrators, despite the imposition of Section 144 to restrict public gatherings.
A statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka confirmed the casualties, noting that among those injured were thirteen army personnel, including a major, three police officers—including the Officer-in-Charge of Guimara—and several civilians. “We deeply regret the loss of lives and injuries in these incidents. Those responsible will be investigated and brought to justice in accordance with the law. No one will be spared,” the statement said.
Eyewitnesses reported widespread arson and gunfire in Ramsu Market, known as a commercial hub for the Marma community, with videos circulating on social media showing shops and homes set ablaze and multiple people wounded.
Members of the Jumma Students’ Movement claimed that during the clashes, homes and shops of the hill people were deliberately torched. Conversely, local Muslim residents blamed armed hill groups for instigating the violence.
While social media circulated reports alleging attacks on several army personnel at the onset of the clashes, neither the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) nor the district administration commented on these claims. Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner A.B.M. Iftikharul Islam Khondaker told BBC Bangla that he and the Superintendent of Police had rushed to Guimara upon receiving reports of the violence. However, barricades set up by protesters along the route delayed officials’ arrival until 5 p.m.
Chittagong region DIG Ahsan Habib Palash later said that the situation was under control by evening.
According to local sources, the protests were organized by Jumma student activists following the rape allegation of a hill teenager. Demonstrators had blocked roads from early morning, burning tires and placing tree branches in protest. Army personnel engaged with the demonstrators to understand why the roadblocks persisted even after the suspected perpetrators were detained. Clashes erupted during this interaction, with multiple gunshots reported and several shops set on fire. Some army personnel were reportedly injured by bricks and stones hurled by protesters.
Uyafre Marma, President of the Marma Students’ Council, told BBC Bangla that homes and shops in Ramsu Market were burned and many people were injured. He blamed ‘Muslims’ for the attacks. On the other hand, Mohammad Abdul Majid, Joint Secretary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Citizens’ Council, rejected these claims, stating that armed hill groups were inciting violence under the guise of seeking justice for the alleged rape.
Despite the clashes, Khagrachhari town remained tense, with security forces stationed across the city. Shops largely remained closed, and public transportation was disrupted. The alleged rape incident involved an eighth-grade Muslim student, with police detaining one suspect, who was later remanded through the court.
The Jumma students and supporters had staged multiple demonstrations throughout the week, including roadblocks on Thursday, anti-sexual violence rallies on Friday, and a combination of protests and picketing on Saturday, during which stone-throwing incidents occurred between army vehicles and demonstrators. Section 144 was enforced in Khagrachhari town, its suburbs, and Guimara after repeated clashes.
Local sources reported that even after a social media claim of an attack on a Buddhist temple, Marma community members returned to the streets, resulting in further confrontations with Muslim residents. On Sunday, protests continued under the banner of the Jumma Students’ Movement, with barricades erected and tensions escalating between security forces and demonstrators. During the clashes, houses and shops of hill residents and Muslims alike were reportedly attacked and set on fire, though authorities have yet to confirm the full extent of the damage.
Supradip Chakma, Advisor on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, convened a meeting in Khagrachhari today to discuss the recent incidents. He stated that legal action will be taken against perpetrators of rape, sexual violence, and armed extortion, emphasizing that the law will hold offenders accountable.
The incident has highlighted long-standing ethnic tensions in the region, as the accused in the rape case is reported to be Muslim, and such attacks against hill girls have historically sparked local unrest. Authorities face the challenge of restoring peace while ensuring justice for the victim and holding all responsible parties accountable.
