Since Saturday morning, an indigenous student protest began in Khagrachhari against the rape of a tribal schoolgirl and demanding the arrest of the perpetrators, called by indigenous Jumma students and community members. They started road blockades, and to support the blockade, they held pickets and set tires on fire at various locations across the district. Picketing and tire burning took place at Chengi Bridge, Stadium area, and Bailachhari joint farm area in Guimara Upazila
.Late in the afternoon, clashes broke out between indigenous people and local residents, involving chasing and counter-chasing, with unknown militants firing shots. These incidents occurred in the areas of Khejurbagan, Upazila Parishad, Chengi Square, Mahajanpara, and Narikel Bagan in the town. It is claimed that over fifty people from both sides were injured. The Aranya Bilash and Mountain Hotel in the town were vandalized. Additionally, shops owned by Bengali businessmen in the Swnirbhar market area were looted and destroyed, marking the end of the morning-to-evening blockade.
During the strike, tires were burned and fires were set on trees in different parts of the district. Stones and bricks were thrown at army vehicles, and various vehicles including battery-operated e-rickshaws were damaged. Even an ambulance transporting a dead body was not spared from vandalism by the indigenous protesters. In the Alutila rehabilitation area of Khagrachhari, an ambulance carrying a corpse from Chittagong was destroyed and its driver beaten.
Khagrachhari police station officer-in-charge Abdul Baten Mridha stated that Shayon Sheel (19) has been arrested with the help of the army for alleged involvement in the rape case. Operations are underway to arrest the other suspects. The victim’s father has filed a case against three persons.
