The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Sunday night accused the United People鈥檚 Democratic Front (UPDF), a political organisation based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and its affiliated groups of instigating fresh violence in Khagrachari鈥檚 Guimara upazila.
At least three members of the national minority community were killed and several dozen people, including security personnel, were injured during the clashes. Several houses and shops, mostly belonging to minority residents, were also set on fire in Guimara.
The ISPR alleged that the UPDF and its affiliates were deliberately attempting to destabilise the region through a coordinated plan.
According to the statement, UPDF activists and armed supporters blocked roads at Ramsu Bazar in Guimara on Sunday morning, defying Section 144 imposed by the local administration. They reportedly clashed with Bengali residents, and when army personnel tried to restore order, UPDF men attacked them with locally made weapons, brickbats, slingshots, and sticks. Ten soldiers, including three officers, were injured in the attack.
At the same time, members of Border Guard Bangladesh came under attack in Ramgarh, where one of their vehicles was vandalised and several personnel injured.
Around 11:30am, armed members of UPDF (Main) allegedly opened fire from a hill west of Ramsu Bazar, targeting Bengalis, hill people, and army troops engaged in controlling the unrest. The armed group fired an estimated 100鈥�150 rounds from automatic weapons, leaving several locals injured.
The army later advanced, forcing the armed group to retreat. Meanwhile, outsiders allegedly linked to the UPDF set fire to Ramsu Bazar and nearby houses while also engaging in violence with Bengali residents, ISPR said. Additional army personnel were deployed, and the situation was brought under control by 4:30pm.
The ISPR statement also noted that communal tension in Khagrachari had been rising since September 23, when a schoolgirl was allegedly raped in the Singinala area. Police arrested a suspect, Shayan Shil, the following day with army assistance, and he was placed on remand.
Despite the arrest, UPDF-linked organisations staged protests, rallies, and a half-day blockade in Khagrachari on September 24鈥�25. On September 26, violent demonstrations broke out under the leadership of Ukyanu Marma, alleged by ISPR to be a UPDF member. Stones were thrown at army patrols, injuring three soldiers. The army, however, refrained from using force.
The ISPR further alleged that social media propaganda by bloggers at home and abroad fueled communal incitement during this period.
鈥楾he law enforcement agencies have evidence suggesting that the events between September 19 and 28 indicate a greater conspiracy to destabilise the CHT and incite communal riots,鈥� the statement said.
ISPR also recalled that the UPDF had allegedly instigated another round of communal unrest on September 19 last year, which left four people dead in Khagrachari and Rangamati.
The army urged political leaders and communities in the region to exercise restraint and called on the public to cooperate with security forces in restoring peace.
