Hill Voice, 25 August 2025, Special Correspondent: It has been reported that a massive army operation is being conducted in Ruma, Rowangchari and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban Hill District. It is also reported that the army have arrested 3 innocent villagers from Thanchi in this operation.

Local sources have reported that the army’s aggressive military operation in the name of searching for Shanti Bahini has created an atmosphere of fear in the Jumma areas of Bandarban and is harassing the people and disrupting their normal lives.

According to local sources, from August 22, 2025, several hundred souldiers of the army of 31 BIR of Alikadam Army Zone and 36 BIR of Ruma Army Zone being divided into different groups launched indiscriminate military operations in various Jumma villages of Thanchi, Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas, and it is still ongoing.

In this operation, the army have reportedly arrested 3 innocent Jumma villagers from Brahmadatta Para village of Balibazar union in Thanchi upazila at around 1:00 pm today (August 25).

The arrested persons are Nayanjyoti Chakma (27), son of Gyanamoy Chakma; Karunamoy Chakma (40), son of Mohanbashi Chakma and Dayamoy Chakma (30), son of Lalit Chandra Chakma. The detainees have not been released till the time of writing this report.

The villages in Thanchi Upazila where the army operation is being conducted are – Naindari Para, Dingte Mro Para, Shakpai Mro Para, Kamalabagan Chakma Para, Kamalabagan Tripura Para, Kamalabagan Marma Para, Naiksyang Para, Dakswe Para, Gyanalal Chakma Para, Kyaksu Para, Brahmadatta Para in Balibazar Union of Thanchi.

The villages in Ruma Upazila where the operation is being conducted are – Naitong Para, Malange Para, Basaduo Para, Kyaktaing Khumi Para, Menrat Headman Para of Ruma Sadar Union; Pantala Para, Dulujhiri Upper Para, Thandajhiri Para, Menrui Mro Para, Bharat Para and Galengya Marma Para of Galengya Union.

It is reported that the army are also conducting similar operations in various areas under Baghmara Union of Rowangchhari Upazila.

The army have already set up check posts at 5 locations from Thanchi Sadar to the Bara Madak river route, namely Thanchi Sadar, Tindu, Remakri, Choto Madak and Bara Madak areas.

During the operation, the army are harassing the Jumnas in various ways, reportedly forcibly checking the mobile phones, taking photographs of Jummas, and seeking to know the whereabouts and phone numbers of Jana Samhati Samiti workers.

Today (August 25) at 7 am, the army stopped a passenger pick-up vehicle number B-70 on its way from Kyaksu Para to Balibazar. The 30 Jumma passengers of the pick-up were taken out of the vehicle and detained for several hours, and obstacles were created on their way to the market.

Army operation in Kaptai area too

It has been reported that the army of 38 EBR of Kaptai Army Zone in Kaptai Upazila of Rangamati district have been conducting a military operation in the Bara Para area of ​​Ghilachari Union in neighboring Rajasthali Upazila since August 23 in the name of searching for Jana Samhati Samiti members.

It is learnt that a group of 150-160 soldiers went to Bara Para village in Rajasthali at around 7:30 pm on August 24. Later at the middle of that night, the army surrounded the entire Bara Para village. During this time, an atmosphere of fear was created among the sleeping villagers and the villagers were subjected to widespread harassment. It is learnt that the army are still stationed there.