Hill Voice, 25 September 2024, Bandarban: Yesterday (September 24) it was reported that a Marma shopkeeper and his two daughters were severely beaten up by the army in Kuhalong Union of Bandarbar Upazila Sadar.

The victim Marma shopkeeper has been identified as Uhlasain Marma (45) of village-Kibuk Para, Kuhalong Union and her two children as Saimau Marma (16) and Sathuima Marma (13). All of them are said to be receiving treatment from local village doctor.

According to local sources, around 5:20 pm on that day, a group of army numbering 25 men led by Commander Md. Safiuddin from Dolupara army zone of Kuhalong union went on a patrol operation to the neighboring Kibuk Para.

As soon as they got there, without saying a word, without giving any time, the soldiers tried to drag the local shopkeeper Uhlasain Marma into the vehicle. At that time, Uhlasain Marma said that he had just taken a bath. Still, when the army personnel asked whether he had seen new people, Uhlasain Marma said, ‘I have not seen any new people in the village.’ After that, the army men started beating Uhlasain Marma.

At that time, Uhlasain Marma’s two daughters Saimau Marma and Sathuima Marma, who were a short distance away, came forward and asked the army not to beat their father. The army personnel then beat the girls badly. They were injured.

The army also destroyed the goods of the shop and ransacked. The army stayed there for about an hour. However, before leaving Dolupara village, Zone Commander Md. Safiuddin commented that the incident of beating had taken place due to wrong information.

According to local sources, after the fall of the autocratic Awami League government, their allies are still using the army to conspire in various ways in the area.