Over 50 shops burned in Khagrachari clash during student protest
STAFF CORRESPONDENT, KHAGRACHHARI
More than 50 shops were set on fire and five people were injured in a clash that broke out during a student protest in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachari on Thursday.
The violence erupted after a group of hill youths reportedly attacked a student procession organised by general students of Dighinala Government College in protest against the killing of a Bengali youth in Khagrachari town earlier this week.
Eyewitnesses said the protest rally, held at Larma Square, turned violent when a group of hill youths armed with sticks launched an attack on the students. The attack led to an hour-long clash, with both sides chasing each other. Several rounds of gunfire were reportedly fired by the hill group during the incident.
Law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene, but the attackers had fled after setting fire to the shops in Larma Square. Firefighters, along with locals and members of the army and police, worked together to bring the blaze under control.
Dighinala Upazila Executive Officer Mamunur Rashid said, “At this point, we cannot confirm how the incident began. The situation is currently under control with police, army, and BGB forces deployed in the area. The fire service is working to extinguish the fire. Five people have been injured.”
The unrest followed the death of Mamun, a resident of Shalban Moddopara in Khagrachari town, who was beaten to death on Wednesday night in Pankhayapara. He was allegedly accused of theft by some hill people. A video of the incident circulated on social media, sparking tensions in the area.
Authorities have increased patrols in the region, and there are concerns about misinformation being spread on social media, which could further inflame tensions.
