Tension remains high in Khagrachhari district following Sunday’s violence and protests over the alleged rape of a schoolgirl, which left three people dead and several others injured in Guimara upazila.
Meanwhile, the indefinite road blockade organised under the banner of Jumma students and local residents entered its third day on Monday, bringing normal life to a near standstill.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Khagrachhari District Hospital late on Sunday evening, but their identities have yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile the blockade on roads connecting Dhaka and Chhatogram has been relaxed temporarily to facilitate services from 12pm on Monday.
Army issues statement on communal violence in Khagrachhari
Jumma students and local residents announced the relaxation via a Facebook post on Monday morning.
According to the post, the roads will be open from 12pm until further notice to allow critically injured Jumma protesters, who were hurt in clashes with law enforcers in Guimara upazila, to receive treatment and to facilitate the proper burial of deceased Jumma victims.
The post also reads that a medical team from Dhaka is scheduled to arrive and authorities at all levels were urged to ensure unobstructed access.
Unrest erupted in the hill district after the reported rape of a schoolgirl on the night of September 23.
Businesses belonging to both hill and Bengali communities have been attacked and vandalised in various parts of Khagrachhari over the past few days.
At least three people were killed and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila on Sunday.
In an official statement issued on Sunday evening, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the killings and extended sympathy to those injured, including an army major, 13 army personnel, the officer-in-charge of Guimara Police Station, three other policemen and several others.
Section 144 has been imposed in Khagrachhari town, Sadar upazila and Guimara upazila.
The movement of all modes of transport has been suspended since Sunday morning, disrupting daily life.
Protesters are reportedly setting up hidden barricades at various points, although they have not appeared openly.
Streets in the town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs.
Trucks and pickups carrying raw materials to markets in Longdu, Bagaichhari and other areas remained stranded, causing widespread disruption to trade and everyday activities.
Army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police forces remain deployed across different areas.
Although one suspect has been arrested in connection with the rape of the schoolgirl, two others are still at large.