Those involved in violence in the hills will face punishment as an example: home advisor

"If anyone tries to create a law and order situation, their hands will be broken," he says

Home Advisor Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said those involved in the violent conflict in the hills will be identified and given exemplary punishment, which will serve as a precedent for the future.

He also said a high-level committee will soon be formed to investigate the violence that occurred in Khagrachhari and Rangamati.

At a discussion in Khagrachhari on Saturday, after visiting Rangamati, the advisor said: "Those involved in this incident will be identified and given exemplary punishment, which will stand as a lesson for the future."

The special discussion on law and order was held at the conference room of the deputy commissioner in Khagrachhari, which included leaders of political parties, representatives of various communities, and members of civil society. Local Government Advisor AF Hassan Ariff was also present.

He claimed that the atmosphere in the hills has been destabilised by provocations by some 'miscreants' who are “attempting to incite communal riots by spreading rumours on social media".

Jahangir urged everyone to remain vigilant and not to take the law into their own hands by acting on rumours.

Earlier in the morning, the two advisors held discussions with professional groups in Rangamati in the wake of the incidents of conflict, violence, and deaths in the two hill districts.

In Rangamati, the home advisor warned that any attempts to deteriorate law and order would be met with strong actions. "If anyone tries to create a law and order situation, their hands will be broken," he said.

On Wednesday morning, following the killing of a young man named Mamun in a 'mob beating' over allegations of theft, students from Dighinala Degree College staged a protest on Thursday afternoon. Clashes erupted, and one side set fire to shops in Larma Square in Dighinala Upazila and burned down 60 to 70 shops, according to the affected traders.

Some of the injured were taken to Khagrachhari Modern Sadar Hospital, where three of them died during treatment.

Following the rioting in Dighinala, gunfire broke out in the district headquarters on Thursday night, causing panic throughout the area. To prevent further violence, the district administration imposed Section 144 banning all forms of gathering in Khagrachhari's municipal area and district headquarters from 2pm on Friday.

The violence from Khagrachhari spread to another hill town, Rangamati, where another person was killed, and at least 50 others were injured during the clashes.

In response to the escalating violence, Section 144 was also imposed in Rangamati’s municipal area starting at 1:30pm on Friday.

Advisors Jahangir and Hassan Ariff toured the two hill districts on Saturday amid the conflict.

After their meeting in Rangamati, they proceeded to Khagrachhari, where in a law and order meeting at the DC's conference room, Jahangir, a former military officer, instructed the administration to take the strictest measures possible.

He also promised financial assistance to the families of those killed in the violence and better medical treatment for the injured.

Hassan Arif, a former attorney general, said: "A minor incident has been deliberately turned into a major violent event. Even if someone steals, beating them to death outside of the legal process is a significant crime."

He also urged both the hill people and Bengali communities to remain tolerant so that everyone can coexist peacefully under one roof, regardless of what has happened.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Advisor Suprodip Chakma said, "We must not let provocations and rumours undermine the spirit of the anti-discrimination student-people’s movement. Both hill and Bengali communities must maintain a brotherly relationship.

“The recent violence has caused a lot of damage, and after discussions with the chief Advisor, financial assistance will be provided to the victims."