Hill Voice, 29 August 2025, Rangamati: The Bangladesh Army have finally released 17 villagers from a remote village in Jurachari Upazila under Rangamati district after detaining them for several days, abusing and harassing them.

On August 26, a team of 82 soldiers led by Deputy Commander Major Mohammad Taukir Islam (BA-8763), Captain Farhan and Captain Mushfiqur of 32 Bir Dighalchhari Army Zone in Bilaichhari Upazila adjacent to Jurachhari, launched a military operation in Dumdumya Union No.4 and Maidung Union No.3 of Jurachari. During this time, the army members arrested 17 villagers from Chanchal Para, Ward No.1 of Dumdumya Union No.4 and Gobo Ul Chuk Village, Ward No.9 of Maidung Union No.3, on charges of keeping ‘Gada Gun’ (locally made for hunting).

After the arrest, 10 of the detainees were tied up with ropes and 7 were locked in a room of a government primary school. The indiscriminate arrest of innocent villagers by the army created an atmosphere of fear among the Jumma villagers and after that, it is said that all the men in the surrounding villages, except women, children and the elderly, fled their homes in fear.

It is learnt that among the 17 people detained was a 12-year-old child. He has been released earlier.

After being detained for almost two days, 10 people were released on August 28 at around 2 pm in the presence of Sadhanananda Chakma, Chairman of Maidung Union Parishad, Shantaraj Chakma, Chairman of Dumdumya Union Parisha and other elders of the villages.

The 10 villagers who were released are: (1) Chiji Moni Chakma, (2) Nigira Dhan Chakma, (3) Netaji Chakma, (4) Tufan Chakma of Chanchal Para village in Dumdumya union, and (5) Nandalal Chakma, (6) Kala Udo Chakma, (7) Amar Kanti Chakma, (8) Akash Chakma and two others from Gobo Ul Chuk village in Maidung union.

On the other hand, after being detained for almost three days, the army have reportedly released the remaining six villagers at around 8 am on August 29. The six villagers who were released are: (1) Debraj Chakma (32), (2) Gopal Chakma (22), (3) Chagahulo Chakma (33) of Chanchal Para village in Dumdumya union and (4) Nilamoy Chakma (36), (5) Kala Chakma (19), (6) Pandab Chakma (16) of Gobo Ul Chuk village in Maidung union.

However, it is reported that the army are still present in those villages.