The road blockade in Khagrachhari, enforced under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata, continued today amid tight security in protest against the rape of a schoolgirl.
The section 144, imposed by the administration, also remains in force in Sadar and Guimara upazilas.
Although the blockade on the Chattogram–Khagrachhari and Dhaka–Khagrachhari highways was relaxed, long-haul bus services have not resumed. Only a handful of auto-rickshaws and easy bikes were seen operating on local roads.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Jumma Chhatra Janata said the blockade was relaxed on the two routes from 12:00pm to facilitate funeral arrangements for those killed in violence and for the treatment of those injured.
On Sunday, during the blockade programme, protests and violence turned Guimara's Ramesu Bazar into a battlefield. Clashes broke out between law enforcement agencies and blockade supporters, with a local group siding with the law enforcers. Gunfire left three people dead while at least 20 others, including an army major, were injured.
This morning at Shapla Chattar in Khagrachhari town, law enforcers were seen stationed at various points. Most shops remained closed, and very few people were seen walking on the streets. Anyone found in groups was being stopped for questioning and searches. Only a few battery-run auto-rickshaws were operating in the town.
Khagrachhari Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewel said army, BGB and police teams are patrolling the district to keep law and order under control. "No untoward incidents have taken place since Monday," he added.
Earlier on Saturday, ahead of the blockade, clashes and vandalism had broken out in Khagrachhari. Following that, the administration imposed Section 144 in Sadar upazila, the municipality area, and Guimara upazila until further notice.
Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekhar Uddin Khandaker told that Section 144 will remain in effect until the blockade is withdrawn. "Discussions are ongoing with them [the organisers] to lift the blockade," he said.
A six-member delegation of Jumma Chhatra Janata submitted an eight-point demand to the administration during a meeting last night.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the three people killed in Sunday's Guimara gunfire were handed over to their families last night after autopsies.
Yesterday, police confirmed the identities of the three young men shot dead in Guimara upazila yesterday. They are Tayiching Marma, 20, Athwipru Marma, 21, and Akhrau Marma, 22, were all residents of Guimara, said Chattogram Range's Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ahsan Habib Palash.
Khagrachhari Civil Surgeon Saber Ahmed said 14 injured persons from Guimara were taken to the district hospital. Of them, 13 are still undergoing treatment there, while one was transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
The alleged rape took place on September 23 when the class eight student was returning from private tuition around 9:00pm. Protests erupted over the incident since September 24 under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata.
Police have arrested one suspect, identified as Shayon Shil, in connection with the incident. A court has placed him on six days' remand.
FP/MI
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