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Published : 04 Oct 2025, 10:04 AM
The Jumma Chhatra-Janata has called off a blockade that had been enforced for four days in Khagrachhari following unrest triggered by the alleged rape of a Marma teenager.
The decision was announced on Saturday in a statement issued by the group’s media cell.
According to the statement, the withdrawal comes "partly in consideration of the religious rites needed to be performed for the martyrs, the need to provide humanitarian assistance to the injured and affected, and assurances given by the administration”.
The group added that on Oct 1, a second round of discussions was held with the Khagrachhari district administration, police, and intelligence officials to address recent violence in Khagrachhari and Guimara.
“In the meeting, we clearly presented our eight-point demand, which included the withdrawal of Section 144 and exemplary punishment for those responsible for the killings. The administration assured us that steps would be taken to implement our demands, and informed us that Tk 50,000 in cash would be provided to the families of the martyrs,” the statement said.
On the night of Sept 23, an allegation came forward that a Marma youth had been gang raped in the Sadar Upazila, sparking protests and unrest in the hill district.
However, a three-member team of doctors did not find physical evidence of the rape in a subsequent medical test.
Police arrested a young man with the support of the Army on allegations of rape. The Jumma Chhatra-Janata group then began to hold road blockades for half the day across the district to call for the arrest of the other suspects and justice over the incident.
The protests blocked the Chattogram-Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari-Rangamati, and Khagrachhari-Sajek roads, bringing traffic to a halt. Amid the unrest, a ban on gatherings under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was imposed on Sept 28 in Guimara. At least three people were shot dead when the curfew was broken.
The district administration later formed a five-strong investigation team to probe the Guimara violence.
Police also filed three cases over the violence in the Guimara and Sadar Upazilas, accusing over 1,000 unnamed suspects.
On Sept 30, the Jumma Chhatra-Janata suspended their protests pushing for an eight-point list of demands until Oct 5 after receiving assurances and in consideration of the Durga Puja holiday. The local administration then said the Section 144 restrictions would be relaxed gradually as the situation calmed.
Since then, the unrest in Khagrachhari has died down.
