3 shot dead in Khagrachhari

Three people have been shot dead in Guimara, Khagrachhari. However, their identities have not yet been confirmed.

Ahsan Habib Palash, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Chattogram Range police, confirmed the incident to Prothom Alo Sunday evening.

Speaking to Prothom Alo over the phone, he said that reports have been received of three people killed in a shooting in Guimara. Their bodies are at the hospital. However, the details of who fired the bullets and how they died are still unknown.

He added that three others were injured in the incident.

When contacted about the matter, Khagrachari district Civil Surgeon Mohammad Saber told Prothom Alo on Sunday evening that the bodies of three men from Guimara had been brought to the Khagrachari District Hospital. The bodies have been kept in the morgue, and autopsies will be conducted on Monday morning.

He also said that four people injured in the incident, brought from Guimara, are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

An ongoing blockade has been observed since 5:00 am yesterday, Saturday, under the banner of 'Jumma Chhatra Janata' to protest the gang-rape of a young girl from the hill tracts.

Due to the protest, traffic has been suspended on the Chittagong-Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari-Rangamati, and Khagrachhari-Sajek roads.

Since Sunday morning, protestors intensified the blockade by burning tyres and felling trees across roads in various parts of the district.

The young girl was allegedly gang-raped on Tuesday night around 9:00 pm while returning home from private tutoring. Her relatives found her unconscious in a field around 11:00 pm that same night.

Police have since arrested one person in connection with the incident, and a court has placed him on a six-day remand.

Amid the ongoing blockade by the 'Jumma Chhatra Janata' protesting the gang-rape, a market in Guimara upazila was set on fire on Sunday afternoon.

Several shops in the market were gutted, and nearby residential houses were also damaged by the blaze. The incident occurred at the Ramesu Bazar in Guimara Upazila, Khagrachhari, around 1:00 pm today.

The market is located about 100 yards from the Chittagong-Khagrachhari road. Videos and photos of the market burning have spread across social media platforms like Facebook, showing shops consumed by fire. It is reported that the majority of the shop owners are from the ethnic minority community.

Following the incident, a tense situation prevails in Guimara Upazila, Khagrachhari, with law enforcement agencies patrolling the area.

Earlier in the afternoon, there were clashes and chases between law enforcement personnel and supporters of the blockade, during which gunshots were heard. Local sources confirm that at least six people were injured in these clashes.

Witnesses Mongsajai Marma and Kongjori Marma reported that they were standing on the road in front of the food warehouse, holding a peaceful protest in support of the blockade.

They also claimed that when members of the law enforcement agency arrived, an argument ensued. According to the two, law enforcement officers then opened fire on them during the altercation.

They stated that immediately after the firing, people fled in panic in all directions. Subsequently, a group of 20–25 individuals arrived, looted the Ramesu Market and nearby homes, and then set those on fire before leaving.

Some members of this group were reportedly wearing masks. During the attack, several motorcycles were also set ablaze alongside the shops and houses.

Md Enamul Haque Chowdhury, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Guimara police station in Khagrachhari, stated via mobile phone that there were ongoing tensions between the people from ethnic minority community and the Bengali community regarding the blockade.

He confirmed that there were also clashes involving the law enforcement agency.

He described the current situation as volatile and said details would be provided later.

Meanwhile, a tense situation has prevailed in Khagrachhari town since Sunday morning. Security forces are positioned at various intersections throughout the city. No shops are open in or around the market area. Security personnel are questioning people who are out for essential tasks.