The Crime Desk: Chaos was created in Rangamati and Khagrachari after the Pahari-Bengali clash and four people were killed. The tension has subsided, and now the hills are much calmer. However, a kind of fear remains among the locals.
Since the violence, the two district towns of Rangamati and Khagrachari have passed a relatively calm period, though the situation has stalled.
No major untoward incident was reported during the blockade called on Saturday to protest the killing. Although the movement of people was relatively less.
In the meantime, fear and panic are spreading over the rumors and incitement spread on social media. The district administration has advised citizens to be wary of rumors and incitement.
The three advisers have been meeting with the senior officials of the law enforcement forces of the two upazilas and the leaders of various political-regional organizations to gradually normalize the situation. Home Affairs Adviser, Lt. General (Retd.), Jahangir Alam. Local government and rural development adviser AF Hasan Arif commented that there is an outside conspiracy behind the unrest in the hills.
Meanwhile, a 72-hour peaceful blockade called by Jumma students is going on in Khagrachari and Rangamati. On the first day of the blockade, road communication with Khagrachari, Rangamati, Dhaka, and Chittagong is closed. Besides, road communication is closed in inter-upazilas, including Dighinala, Panchari, and Matiranga of Khagrachari.
The regional organization UPDF has expressed full support to the 72-hour road and waterway blockade program in three hill districts announced by the rally organized by the angry Jumma students in Dhaka. In support of the blockade, the besiegers burned tires on Khagrachari Sajek Road, Panchari, and Ramgarh Road in the morning. However, there was no incident of violence anywhere around the blockade.
Police Superintendent of Khagrachari, Arefin Jewel, said security has been strengthened to avoid violence. The road army, BGB, and police patrols have been strengthened.
