Death reported amid Rangamati unrest, Section 144 imposed

At least 50 people are injured in a series of clashes between Bengalis and ethnic minorities in the hill town

After fatal clashes between ethnic minority groups and Bengalis in Khagrachhari, violence has now spread to Rangamati, another hill town, leaving at least one person dead and 50 others injured.

The local administration consequently banned all public gatherings in the Rangamati municipal area on Friday afternoon, according to the district's Deputy Commissioner Mosharraf Hossain.

The prohibitive order under Section 144 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 was issued in the wake of a series of clashes, acts of vandalism, and arson attacks involving the two groups.

According to witnesses, thousands of hill tribe members took out a procession from the town's gymnasium square on Friday morning to protest the clashes and deaths in Khagrachhari.

When the procession reached Banrupa, some shops owned by Bengalis and the Banrupa Mosque were vandalised, allegedly in retaliation for stones being hurled at the march.

During the unrest, protesters also damaged several buses, trucks, and autorickshaws.

Bengalis, armed with sticks, responded by chasing the protesters, leading to more chases and counter-chases.

In retaliation, the Maitree Vihar, a Buddhist temple in Kathaltoli, was heavily damaged, and at least two businesses owned by the minority community in Banrupa were set on fire.

At one point, both groups took up positions on opposite sides of the town's Happy Mor area.

"As the hill tribe people were returning from their procession in Banrupa, they attacked and vandalised Bengali-owned businesses and the Banrupa Mosque without provocation, damaging several vehicles," said Councillor Jamal Uddin of Rangamati Municipality's Ward No. 8.

"Following this, Bengali businessmen organised and retaliated, resulting in further chases and clashes."

At least 50 people with injuries were brought to the Rangamati Sadar Hospital, said Sadia Akter, a doctor at the hospital's emergency department.

One of the injured has since died while undergoing treatment while six to seven are in critical condition, the doctor said.

Their names and identities have yet to be confirmed.

Additionally, internet service in the town has been disrupted as fiber-optic cables were damaged in a fire, according to Md Shaheen, director of internet provider Yes Net.

Law enforcement officials said that joint patrol teams, including the police, army, and BGB, have started working to restore normalcy in Rangamati.