Chattogram Hill Tracts advisor links Khagrachhari violence to external funding

He says a party is funding violence under the guise of protests

Supradip Chakma, the advisor to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, has said external forces might be behind the ongoing protests and violence in Khagrachhari.

On Sunday, he said that the unrest could be fuelled by a third party.

The violence erupted after an eighth-grade student was gang-raped in Singinala, Khagrachhari, on the evening of Sept 23. Since then, the district has witnessed protests, blockades, rallies, and widespread unrest.

Supradip said, “A party is funding violence under the guise of protests. I am certain that someone is financially backing these movements. The protesters are very young, and it’s unlikely they could afford the transport costs to travel from places like Dighinala and Panchari to the district centre. A group is attempting to disrupt the upcoming elections.”

Advisor Supradip urged the administration to to act tough to prevent further damage to lives and property in the hills and to stabilise the situation.

“Section 144 has been imposed in the district. There are attempts to create instability in the hills through new issues,” he said.

The order prohibits public gatherings, and authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone violating it.

“The primary challenge for the government is to hold elections, and anyone trying to sabotage them will face action. No new issues will be allowed to destabilise the region,” he added.