Clashes between local Bengali and tribal communities have erupted in the hilly districts of Khagrachari and Bandarban in Bangladesh, following the death of a Bengali youth. Four people have died, and at least 80 have been injured in the violence. To control the situation, authorities enforced Section 144 in both districts on Friday, September 20. This rule restricts gatherings to prevent further violence. Since the clashes started on Thursday, incidents of arson and gunfire have been reported, creating panic among both communities.
The army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have increased patrols in the area to maintain peace. On Saturday, September 21, a high-level government team, led by the Home Advisor, visited the affected areas to assess the situation.
The violence began on Wednesday, September 18, after a 30-year-old Bengali man named Mamun was beaten to death by members of the tribal community in Khagrachari Sadar. Conflicting accounts emerged about why Mamun was attacked; some said, he was lynched on suspicion of being a thief. Others say - he was beaten to death while stealing a motorcycle. Local Bengalis believe he was falsely accused to cover up the crime. This sparked tensions between the two groups.
On Thursday, September 19, Bengalis organized a protest march in Dighinala to condemn the killing. The march led to clashes between the two communities when tribal members blocked the procession at Boalkhali Bazar. In the fighting that followed, many shops and houses were set on fire in the Larma Square area of Dighinala. According to officials, 102 shops were destroyed.
Tensions quickly spread to other parts of Khagrachari, including Panchari and nearby areas. On Thursday night, gunfire erupted in Khagrachari town, leaving three people dead and at least 15 injured. Videos of the gunshots were widely shared on social media, adding to the panic.
The Inter-Services Public Relations office (ISPR) issued a statement explaining that the gunfire began when an army patrol was attacked while helping an unconscious patient in Khagrachari town. The army fired back in self-defense, leading to casualties.
The unrest also spread to Rangamati, where tribal groups organized protests in response to the violence in Khagrachari. During a march on Friday, September 20, more clashes broke out, leading to the destruction of houses, shops, and vehicles. One person was killed, and around 55 others were injured. Authorities in Rangamati also imposed Section 144 to restore order.
Both the tribal and Bengali communities blame each other for the violence. Tribal leaders claim Bengalis ambushed them during their protest, while Bengali representatives accuse tribal members of attacking shops and mosques.
In response, the Home Affairs Adviser of the interim government, Lt. General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, urged everyone to remain calm and assured that those responsible for the violence would be brought to justice after a proper investigation.
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