Hill and Bengali residents face off as Section 144 imposed in Guimara

Hill activists and Bengali residents in Khagrachhari have faced off over the alleged rape of a Marma schoolgirl, prompting authorities to impose Section 144 in Guimara, banning all gatherings.

A back-and-forth chase between the two groups took place from Saturday afternoon at Mohajanpara of the district town, lasting over three and a half hours, according to Khagrachhari Police Superintendent Arefin Jewel.

Later, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Army stepped in to bring the situation under control.

As part of continuous protests related to the rape allegation, with road blockades ongoing from morning to evening, the district administration issued Section 144 at noon to protect lives and property.

The order prohibits public gatherings, and authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone violating it.

The Guimara Upazila administration enforced the same measure for similar reasons.

The allegation of rape surfaced on Tuesday night. Police arrested 19‑year‑old Shayon Sheel in connection with the crime. Meanwhile, angry locals, under the banner “Jumma Chhatra‑Janata”, staged road blockades demanding justice.

Although tension remained high, Khagrachhari town saw relative calm through the morning’s blockade.

Picketers held positions across different parts of the town, blocking roads with burning tyres and tree trunks.

With road communication cut, much of the hill town stood “disconnected”.

Around 1:30pm, tension flared again near the Upazila complex road at Narankhila when hill protesters and Bengali residents confronted one another briefly.

The hostilities expanded into Mohajon Para, where by 2pm both sides faced off for over three hours with chase scenes and clashes. Several people were injured.

Md Saber, civil surgeon of Khagrachhari, 23 people were injured in the skirmishes. Of them, 21 received primary treatment and went home, while two remain admitted to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital.