Hill Voice, 27 August 2025, Rangamati: It has been reported that 17 innocent Jumma villagers from remote villages of Dumdumya Union and Maidung Union of Jurachari Upazila under Rangamati district were arrested in a military operation conducted by the Bangladesh Army yesterday (26 August). 13 of the 17 arrested have been identified.

It is learnt that from yesterday, a group of 82 soldiers led by Major Mohammad Taukir Islam (BA-8763), Deputy Commander of 32 BIR Dighalchari Army Zone in Bilaichhari Upazila, adjacent to Jurachari, started a military operation in Dumdumya Union and Maidung Union of Jurachari. During the operation, the army personnel arrested 17 villagers from Chanchal Para of Ward No.1 of Dumdumya Union and Gabahulo Chuk Village of Ward No.9 of Maidung Union on charges of getting ‘Gada Banduk’ (locally made gun for hunting).

The villagers are still reportedly in the custody of the army. Of the detainees, 10 have been tied up with ropes, while 7 have been locked up in a room at a government primary school.

According to village sources, Jumma villagers in remote areas often use these locally made guns to protect their Jum’s paddy fields from wild boar attacks or to hunt wild boars.

The identified Jumma villagers arrested are: (1) Debraj Chakma, son of Lakshmi Chandra Chakma, (2) Chiji Moni Chakma, son of Lakshmi Chandra Chakma, (3) Nigira Dhan Chakma, son of Lakshmi Chandra Chakma, (4) Netaji Chakma, son of Kala Marad Chakma, (5) Gopal Chakma, son of Jatan Chakma, (6) Tufan Chakma, son of Jatan Chakma, of Chanchal Para village of Dumdumya union and (7) Nandalal Chakma, son of Rasik Chandra Chakma, (8) Kala Udo Chakma, son of Arun Kumar Chakma, (9) Amar Kanti Chakma, son of Juba Raj Chakma, (10) Akash Chakma, son of Chiran Jeet Chakma, (11) Neelamoy Chakma, son of Sudish Kumar Chakma, (12) Pandav Chakma, son of Sudish Kumar Chakma and (13) Kala Chakma, son of Sudish Kumar Chakma of Gabahulo Chuk village of Maidung union.

The army are still reportedly stationed there as of the time of writing this report. On the other hand, another army group is reportedly approaching the scene from the Fakirachara army camp in Maidung Union.

Meanwhile, the indiscriminate arrest of innocent villagers by the army has reportedly created an atmosphere of fear among the Jumma villagers. It is reported that in the meantime, except the women, children and elderly people, other male members of the concerned and surrounding villages have fled their houses in fear.