Bangladesh bans travel in Chattogram hill tracts amid sectarian violence
- In Reports
- 03:34 PM, Oct 07, 2024
- Myind Staff
Bangladesh has announced a travel ban in three southeastern hill districts due to rising sectarian violence between local ethnic communities and Bengali settlers. This unrest has already led to five deaths and many injuries.
The travel ban affects the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) and will be in place from October 8 to 31. The deputy commissioners of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban districts released statements urging tourists to stay away from these areas, citing “unavoidable grounds” but without giving more details.
The tension in the area increased recently when local Buddhist monks cancelled a festival called “Kaathin Chibor Dan,” which was supposed to take place in mid-October, due to security concerns. This cancellation followed an incident last month when a Bengali man was killed by a mob over a motorcycle theft in Khagrachhari, leading to further violence that resulted in four additional deaths.
In response to the unrest, ethnic minority groups set up temporary blockades in the hill districts. The government increased police and army presence in the area and prohibited public gatherings. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that anyone responsible for the violence would face serious consequences. “None will be spared if found responsible,” he said.
The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has issued strong warnings against further violence. Three senior government advisers visited the affected areas to meet with community leaders and discuss the situation. A new committee is being formed to investigate the violence in Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
Hasan Arif, another adviser, suggested that there may be outside forces trying to disrupt peace in the region. The Chattogram Hill Tracts have a troubled history, including a lengthy insurgency that ended with a peace agreement in 1997. Although this brought some stability, conflicts have continued, primarily due to disputes among different tribal groups. The new committee aims to find those responsible for the recent violence and restore calm in the area.
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