Khagrachhari roads blocked in protest against 'gunfire on villagers'

At least six people are accused of opening fire on villagers in Manikchari’s Tablapara on Sept 7

A half-day road blockade is under way in Khagrachhari to protest the shooting of villagers in Manikchari’s Tablapara, and to demand the arrest of those involved.

The blockade, called by three organisations supported by the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), is being observed from 6am to 12pm on the Khagrachhari-Dhaka, Khagrachhari-Chattogram and Khagrachhari-Sajek roads on Wednesday.

All long-distance vehicles have been halted due to the blockade, said Md Abdul Baten Mridha, chief of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station.

At least six people have been accused of opening fire on villagers in Tablapara, Manikchari, around 10am on Sept 7. However, no injuries were reported.

Since the attack, the UPDF-backed Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP), Hill Women’s Federation and Nari Attarakkha Committee have been demanding the arrest of those responsible.

To enforce the blockade, protesters set fire to tyres and tree stumps early Tuesday in the Chengi Bridge area of the Khagrachhari-Chattogram road and in front of the Technical School on Panchhari road, police said.

Protesters also placed logs on several roads, which were later cleared by the police.

Supporters of the blockade were seen picketing in different locations.

“Adequate law enforcement personnel have been deployed to control the situation. No untoward incident has occurred so far,” OC Mridha said.