Hill Voice, 20 September 2024, Special Correspondent: Following the incident of death of a Bengali youth, a thief of a motor-bike in hospital after he was beaten up by mob in Khagrachari district headquarters a day ago, the next day there have been allegations of communal attacks on Jumma people in Dighinala of Khagrachari, firing on Jummas by army at Khagrachari Sadar and today settlers’ attacking on Jumma students who organized a procession to protest the Dighinala-Khagrachari attack in Rangamati.

It was reported that 3 students were killed in Khagrachari, 2 students were killed in Dighinala yesterday (September 19) and 1 Jumma student was killed in Rangamati this morning (September 20). It is said that those killed in Khagrachari were shot by the army. Yesterday in Dighinala, in very front of the army, the Bengali settlers burnt down the shops and houses of at least 40 Jumma families. Besides, it is reported that 15-20 Jummas were injured in the settlers’ attack at Dighinala and the firing by the army at Khagrachari Sadar yesterday.

On the other hand, many more were injured in the attack by the settlers in Rangamati this morning and it was reported that the Savron Clinic, Rangamati district office of Jana Samhati Samiti and regional council office were set on fire. Not only that, old traditional Buddhist temple named Moitree Vihara in Kathalatli were also attacked and vandalized by the Bengali settlers.

Background of incident:

According to several local sources, on September 18, a person named Mamun (40) stole the motorbike of a person named Goldy Chakma (45) from Madhupur area of Khagrachari Sadar and was speeding away. Within seconds, the thief Mamun fell off the bike after hitting an electric pole on the side of the road. Then the nearby Chakma and Bengali crowd came and beat up Mamun. As a result of the beating, Mamun became unconscious. Mamun was later taken to the hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.

According to the police and several reliable sources, the deceased bike thief Mamun was basically a professional thief. 17 cases are pending against him. 14 of them are theft cases, 3 drug related cases.

Immediately after Mamun’s death, the Bengali settlers started spreading communal incitement saying that Jummas had planned to kill Mamun.

Attack in Dighinala:

Yesterday (September 19) around 4 pm, the Bengali settlers organized a protest march and rally at Dighinala upazila headquarter with communal provocative speech. At the end of the program, the Bengali settlers attacked the Jummas in Dighinala Sadar with sticks and bricks. A Jumma named Dharmajoy Chakma, village-Udolbagan, Dighinala Sadar and another unidentified Bengali person were reportedly seriously injured and died in the attack.

Meanwhile, 3 more Jumma indigenous people were attacked and seriously injured. The injured persons are- 1. Lenin Chakma (40), son of Unidentified, Village-Kamukochara, Boalkhali Sadar; His condition is said to be critical; 2. Nipuye Chakma (55), son of Unidentified, Village-College Tila, Boalkhali Sadar and 3. Dhanajoy Chakma, Dighinala Sadar.

At that time, the nearby Jumma indigenous people came forward to save the victims, but the Bengali settlers retreated. When the Bengali settlers were retreating, a group of the army arrived there and chased the Jummas away.

A few minutes later, the Bengali settlers again armed themselves and came to attack Dighinala Sadar. Around 5:00 p.m., the Bengali settlers set fire to the Larma Square station bazar in Battala in front of the army. It was reported that at least 45 shops and houses of Jumma indigenous people were burnt down. At that time, the army were seen playing the role of a silent spectator. It is said that tension prevailed between the Bengalis settlers and the local hill people till about 9 pm.

Army firing at Khagrachari:

On the same day (September 19) at around 9 pm, a group of Jumma students and youth blocked the roads in Khagrachari Sadar’s Swanirvar Area, Narankheya area to protest the Dighinala attack. At that time, several groups of the army appeared there. This creates tension and altercations between the two from a short distance. At one point, the army is said to have opened fire there. On the other hand, jumma students used kanta-gulti. Meanwhile, many Jumma students and youths were injured in fresh firing by the army. It is said that some of the students were seriously injured in the stomach, knees and legs.

As of writing this report, 3 Jumma people have been reported killed in army firing. Multiple sources said this number could be higher.

3 persons killed in shooting are- 1. Junan Chakma (20), son of unknown, address-Khagrachari Sadar, is a college student; 2. Deepta Chakma (22), son of Unknown, Address-Jamatali, Perachara Union and 3. Rubel Tripura, Address-Khagrachari Sadar.

It is reported that at least 15-20 Jumma students and youths were injured in the firing by the army. However, multiple sources suggest this number could be higher.

Some of the victims identified who were injured in the shooting and are undergoing treatment at Khagrachari Hospital are- 1. Sohail Chakma (20), son of Sumangal Chakma, HSC, Khagrachari Technical School and College, Address-Dharampur; 2. Manav Tripura (10), son of Dishamoy Tripura, Class VIII, Khagrachari Technical School and College, Address-Gachban; 3. Bijay Chakma, son of Kanti Chakma, mason by profession, address-Giriful; 4. Nolej Chakma, son of Nikunjay Chakma, Mason by profession, Address-Dharmapur, 5. Ashish Chakma, he is an employee of Khagrachari Hill District Council.

The names of many others were not available till the writing of this report. It has been reported that 2 to 6 injured people have been shifted to Chittagong for treatment.

Attack in Rangamati:

Today (September 20) around 10 am, when a procession was taken out by a group of Jumma students and youths in Rangamati district headquarters to protest the communal attack on Jummas in Dighinala-Khagrachari yesterday, it was reported that Bengalis settlers also committed communal attacks there. A Chakma youth was reportedly killed and 54 Jummas were injured in the attack.

The deceased was identified as Kalamani Chakma (18), son of Adar Sen Chakma, Village-Noapara, Mogban Union, Rangamati Sadar Upazila. He is a 1st year student of Rangamati Government College. It is said that he was killed in an attack by Bengalis settlers in Banarupa area.

Till the writing of this report, many students are also reported to have been injured in Rangamati, but their specific identities have not been found. A reliable source informed that at least 54 Jumma students were injured in the attack.

In the attack, the Bengali settlers attacked the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council office and rest house and damaged government property. At that time, the attackers set fire to 1 pickup, 5 Pajero, 1 micro of the regional council; 2 private cars and 1 Pajero and 1 pickup belonging to the Development Board.

Not only that, the Bengali settlers attacked and vandalized old traditional Moitree Vihara in Kathaltali and were said to have attacked and torched Savron Clinic, various shops of Jummas at Bijan Sarani area, Rangamati district office of Jana Samhati Samiti.

As of writing this report, Section 144 has been imposed in Rangamati and Khagrachari and the situation is said to be at a standstill. There is deep anxiety and panic among common Jummas.

As of writing this report, law enforcement agencies are not known to have arrested any of the attackers.