Bangladesh forms high-level probe committee to investigate violence in hill districts
In the wake of recent spates of violence in Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Bangladesh government yesterday decided to form a high-powered committee to look into the situation. Several violent incidents recently prompted the government to form the committee that would investigate the situation in the three hill districts, particularly in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, where clashes had killed people and caused unrest at such a huge scale. The delegation will visit the affected areas tomorrow with a hope to bring an end to the violence that has been going on and restore peace in the areas.
Escalating Violence in Chittagong Hill Tracts
The escalating unease in Chittagong Hill Tracts began yesterday with clashes among various groups that spilled into killings and widespread damages to property. A procession was attacked by a mob in Boalkhali Bazar in Dighinala on September 19, which then escalated into violent confrontation. According to reports, the attackers, reportedly coming from the main faction of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), fired 20 to 30 bullets at the procession. The public, enraged by such an attack, retaliated by burning shops in the marketplace.
Six persons were reportedly injured during the clashes, and a much more intense confrontation followed later that night. An agitated mob led by UPDF (main) blocked an army patrol team in Khagrachhari town, the ISPR said in a statement. The gun battle left three dead. ISPR feared further violence and threatened “severe riots” unless the situation was brought under control.
Government Action: Probe Committee and Law Enforcement
In response to the incidents of violence, the Bangladesh government promptly reacted and moved for containing unrest in the district. A high-level probe committee will be formed to delve into details of the incidents thoroughly, and it has been scheduled that a high-ranking delegation will visit the affected areas in order to assess the ground reality. The officials confirmed that a delegation was going to Khagrachhari and Rangamati on Saturday as part of engagements with local communities and law enforcement agencies.
The government has also imposed Section 144 on major areas, like Khagrachhari municipal town, district headquarters, and Rangamati municipal area, to avoid crowding strictly in order to curb more violence. Section 144 is an order stating that no more than four people are permitted to assemble in an area, often used in Bangladesh at such times when the situation gets alarming to restore order.
Call for Peace and Cooperation
Apart from official steps taken by the government, ISPR made an appeal to hill district people to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace and tranquility. The ISPR statement appealed for maintaining peace for keeping the tensions of the region low, as is requested of the locals and residents there.
In the wake of a rather disturbing incident in Khagrachhari district town, this appeal has come about wherein a 30-year-old man was lynched by a mob after his abduction on allegations of stealing a motorcycle. The body of the victim has been recovered by local police and handed over to his family after post-mortem examination. This lynching incident has further exacerbated tension in the area and has added to the volatile atmosphere.
The Role of the UPDF (Main Faction) in the Violence
The UPDF (main faction) has been under identification as one of the major actors of violence. The group, according to claims, has waged local conflicts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for the longest time with accusations of orchestrating attacks and fanning unrest. Involvement in the September 19 clashes has provoked the situation, and there remains the question of whether or not the possibility of future violence will leave a grave thinking among the people.
General The group has been targeting processions, and engaging forces on patrol has called for stern condemnation by both the government and local leaders. Indeed, UPDF’s role in this region forms part of a wider power struggle/ influence within hill districts where ethnic and political tensions have smoked for years.
Steps to Prevent More Escalation
The government has advised the law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint in dealing with the volatile situation. Sources said that the office of the Chief Adviser had directed all forces to take utmost care to the residents of the three hill districts and avoid, or at least try to avoid, any unnecessary confrontations. This came as the government sought to prevent further bloodshed and restore order in the region.
With this statement, law enforcing agencies were on high alert with extra forces deployed to the hill districts in order to monitor the situation and respond further outbreaks of violence. The authorities have made it clear that anyone or groups involved in instigating violence will meet severe consequences.
Long History of Tension in the Hill Tracts
The Chittagong Hill Tracts have had a history of ethnic and political tension by virtue of indigenous communities populated in the region. Issues of land rights, political representation, and autonomy have been an issue there for decades, mostly reflecting in violence.
Much has been done on the part of the central government of late to make amends to this region: undertaking business development projects and construction works of infrastructures. However, these remnants of ethnic and political divergencies of the region could not be completely eliminated.
The deep-seated tension that haunts the region has once again been exposed by recent acts of violence in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. Forming a probe committee and imposing Section 144 promptly brought order back into the region. For the time being, this will work, but solutions for peace over the long term will have to reach for the root causes of the conflict.
Conclusion: A Call for Peace and Unity
Governments have recently responded with measures that contain glimmers of hope for de-escalation. The setting up of the high-level probe committee and the delegation’s visit to the affected areas show a probable intent to deal with the violence and restore peace to the region.
With regard to this, the Bangladesh government urged both parties to respect law enforcing agencies and strive for the peace and stability of the region. It is of higher value that authorities maintain harmony among the residents in such areas to ensure violence does not resurface once again.
There is hope that all this will be brought under control once the government intervenes, and people in the hill districts will be able to move along peacefully. However, the root of all the more basic problems intensified at this level will be resolved only with continued dialogue, understanding, and cooperation on the part of all stakeholders.
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