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Fear and panic are fuelled by rumours and provocations spread on social media
Published : 22 Sep 2024, 03:09 AM
The visit of interim government advisors and the strict monitoring and security measures has eased the tension in Rangamati and Khagrachhari after the ‘hill people-Bengalis’ clashes that left four dead. Yet beneath the surface, an undercurrent of fear and anxiety continues to grip the hill residents, casting a shadow over the fragile calm.
The fear and panic are primarily fuelled by rumours and provocations spread on social media, even though the district administration has advised citizens to stay alert against misinformation and provocations.
Both Rangamati and Khagrachhari district towns experienced relatively a peaceful day on Saturday. The blockade called in protest against the killings did not result in any major untoward incidents, although there was a noticeable reduction in public movement. Both towns were under a tight security blanket.
While Section 144 banning all forms of assembly was lifted in Khagrachhari, the district administration of Rangamati has said it will remain in place there until the situation is fully normalised.
On Wednesday morning, students from Dighinala Degree College staged a protest march following the mob killing of a young man named Mamun, who was accused of theft.
During the protest, clashes broke out, and one side set fire to shops in Larma Square, burning down more than 100 shops.
On Thursday night, the situation escalated into gunfire in the district headquarters, further spreading panic. Several injured individuals were taken to Khagrachhari Modern Sadar Hospital, where three succumbed to their injuries. The violence also spread to Rangamati where one person was killed and at least 50 others were injured.
Against this backdrop of violence, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Local Government Advisor AF Hassan Ariff, and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Advisor Suprodip Chakma visited both hill districts on Saturday.
After a meeting in Rangamati, they travelled to Khagrachhari, where they held a special law and order meeting at the DC's conference room, directing the administration to take the strictest possible measures.
They also promised financial assistance to the families of those killed and improved medical care for the injured.
JSS BLAMES UPDF
Ganga Manik Chakma, president of the Jana Samhati Samiti or PCJSS’s Rangamati district unit, expressed the organisation's deep concern over the recent violence. "We want peace. Both the hill and Bengali communities here are peace-loving. But it seems there are some forces lurking in the background, trying to destabilise the situation in the hills. We believe this group is attempting to create instability across the three hill districts, and it is everyone's responsibility to maintain peace," he said.
He blamed the United People’s Democratic Front, or UPDF, for Friday’s incidents and said: "I openly want to say that those who are using the name of the anti-conflict and anti-discrimination student movement, particularly the UPDF and their foreign and domestic backers, are using innocent students who do not fully understand the situation to create unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We strongly condemn this as a party. They must understand that this region belongs to all of us, and we want to live together in harmony."
However, the UPDF denied these allegations, claiming that the JSS is falsely accusing independent students, which is unfortunate.
The regional organisation’s spokesperson and organiser Angya Marma dismissed Ganga Manik’s remarks as "double standards" or "political hypocrisy".
He said, "On one hand, [JSS] demand the implementation of the Peace Accord, but on the other hand, they have supported the oppressive, non-compliant government."
Marma added, "The spirit and impact of the national movements across the country have naturally influenced hill students as well. They have formed the 'Anti-Conflict and Anti-Discrimination Hill Student Movement,' and we applaud and support their call for unity among all groups. But, as always, JSS fails to understand the emotions and aspirations of the new generation."
ATTEMPT TO SUPRESS THE TRUTH: UPDF
The UPDF also protested the press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, or ISPR, regarding the initiation of the violence in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. They described the ISPR’s statement as an attempt to suppress the true events in the hills.
ISPR had warned that the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts could escalate into a "severe riot" and urged everyone to maintain peace and harmony. The ISPR’s statement also highlighted Thursday's clash in Dighinala, where it claimed that some UPDF "terrorists" attacked a protest march and fired 20-30 rounds.
In response, the UPDF in a statement on Saturday rejected the ISPR’s allegations as "fabricated, completely false, and an attempt to cover up the real events".
It denied the claims of UPDF members being present at the scene and firing on the protest.
TRANSPORT STRIKE IN RANGAMATI
Meanwhile, transport owners and workers in Rangamati have announced the continuation of the indefinite transport strike, which started following Friday’s violence where vehicles were vandalised, and drivers were assaulted during a march by the “Anti-Conflict and Anti-Discrimination Hill Student Movement”.
Mizanur Rahman Babu, general secretary of the Rangamati Autorickshaw Drivers' Association, said: "The strike will continue until compensation and security for vehicles and workers are ensured."
Instructing the workers not to take their vehicles out, Babu said, "No one has even called us for discussions. Therefore, we have no other option but to continue the strike."
144 STILL IN FORCE
Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mosharraf Hossain Khan has announced that Section 144, imposed on Friday, will remain in effect until the situation is fully stabilised.
Alongside the army, BGB, police, and RAB, district administration magistrates are also on the ground. Wherever reports of incidents emerge, they are rushing to the scene immediately, he added and urged everyone to cooperate to prevent further incidents.
In contrast, Section 144 has been lifted in Khagrachhari town.
RUMOURS RIFE IN RANGAMATI
Although the situation in Rangamati appeared calm on the surface following Friday’s violence, the town remains rife with rumours. Many residents, especially in the hill areas, are sharing unverified information on social media, causing widespread panic and fear.
The administration has urged everyone to be cautious of rumours and refrain from sharing unverified information online. The deputy commissioner said, "I request everyone not to share any information on social media without proper verification. Report any incidents to us immediately, and we will take prompt action."
The interim government’s advisors, during their visit, also urged the hill residents to ignore provocations and rumours.
Residents from various parts of the town expressed their fear while discussing the situation, but none were willing to speak on the record.
A TOWN WRAPPED IN A SECURITY BLANKET
Following Friday’s incident, there has been a significant presence of law enforcement throughout the town. Although RAB is not usually seen patrolling in Rangamati, the force’s personnel have been notably active since Friday, conducting patrols in several vehicles.
The army, BGB, police, and Ansars are also seen patrolling everywhere. Due to the ongoing transport strike, there are few vehicles on the roads, leading to reduced public movement. Those who are out are being stopped by law enforcement at different points for accountability, often having to show ID cards.
1,400 TOURISTS STRANDED IN SAJEK
Approximately 1,400 tourists have been stranded in Sajek Valley due to road blockades triggered by the violence in Khagrachhari. Jumma students and locals called for blockades across the three hill districts in protest, with support from regional group UPDF. The ongoing blockade, along with the transport strike in Rangamati, has made it impossible for the tourists to leave.
Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners' Association has reduced lodging fees by 50 percent for the stranded tourists.
CREMATIONS COMPLETED
On Saturday, the cremation of Dhanranjan Chakma, 50, who was killed during Thursday’s clashes in Dighinala was held. A memorial service took place in the morning at the Udalbagan High School grounds in the Upazila.
Members of the UPDF, along with Dhanranjan's family, paid their respects and demanded justice for his murder. Local residents also attended the service, with speeches delivered by Dighinala Union Parishad Chairman Chandra Ranjan Chakma and Babuchhara UP Chairman Gagan Bikash Chakma.
Dhanranjan was a small business owner at Larma Square and hailed from Kamukkhochhara Tulpara village in Dighinala.
In Khagrachhari Sadar's Naranghia and Shonirbhor areas, final respects were paid to Junan Chakma and Rubel Tripura, with flowers placed on their bodies.
Rubel's cremation was held at 11am in his native village, Paltanjoy Para, while Junan's cremation took place at 2pm in Jamtuli Juboraj Para.
MARKET DAY, BUT A DIFFERENT LARMA SQUARE
The weekly market was held at Boalkhali New Bazaar in Dighinala. The market usually extends to Larma Square due to its proximity. However, Saturday presented a different scene.
No vendors came to Larma Square, which is usually bustling with vendors and buyers, and as a result, no buyers either. It was an unusual Larma Square, shrouded in eerie quiet. In the morning, smoke was still rising from the burnt shops. The square bore the scars of the attack, with charred remains of shops, gas cylinders, vegetables, and rice lying scattered around.
The Dighinala Upazila office of the JSS (MN Larma) had also been set ablaze, along with nine motorcycles belonging to the regional organisation's members.
Security has been increased around Larma Square to prevent further violence. Due to fear, no hill tribe vendors or buyers showed up on market day. Although a few Bengali buyers were present, their numbers were significantly lower than usual.
The blockade also halted the transportation of goods. Fish and other products, typically brought from Chittagong every week, did not arrive on Saturday. With transport disruptions and the tense atmosphere, the market failed to thrive.
Boalkhali Union Parishad Chairman Chayan Bikash Chakma, reflecting on Thursday's attacks and arson, said: "I was at the union office when I heard about the incident and rushed to the scene. I saw a running battle going on. The hill people and Bengali communities have always done business together peacefully here without any animosity.
"It seems outsiders came in and destroyed the harmony. Both hill and Bengali communities have suffered losses—around 78 shops belonging to the hill people and 24 belonging to the Bengalis were burnt down."
