Khagrachari Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondakar has said that the Section 144 imposed in the district will be withdrawn once the Jumma community ends its blockade programme and normalcy is restored.
“The blockade must be called off for the demands to be addressed,” the DC told reporters on Tuesday, confirming that discussions with protest representatives have already begun. He added that seven of the eight demands submitted by the demonstrators are now under process and will be resolved through negotiation.
A five-member probe committee, led by the Additional District Magistrate, has been formed to investigate the recent unrest, Khondakar said.
During his visit to Guimara’s affected areas, the DC, along with administration officials, met victims of the violence and distributed relief materials. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged government support for compensation, medical treatment, and rehabilitation.
Khagrachari Hill District Council Chairperson Shefalika Tripura, Superintendent of Police Md. Arefin Jewel, and other senior officials accompanied the DC during the visit.
The district has been tense since violent clashes erupted on Sunday in Ramshu Bazar and surrounding areas of Guimara, leaving three people dead. Shops, homes, and offices were set ablaze, while several residents from both hill and Bengali communities—including army personnel—were injured.
The clashes were triggered by a rape incident on September 23, when an eighth-grade student was attacked while returning home from private tuition in Singinala, Ward No. 1 of Khagrachari municipality.
The victim’s father later filed a case against three unidentified suspects at Khagrachari Sadar police station. Police have since arrested one accused, Shoyon Sheel (19), while two others remain at large.
Following the escalation of tensions, the administration imposed Section 144 across Khagrachari municipality, Sadar upazila, and Guimara on September 27 for an indefinite period.
Source: UNB