CHT clashes: Rumours add fuel to fire

At least five people have been killed and over one hundred houses and businesses have been burnt down during the ongoing violence in the country's Chittagong Hill Tracts since last Wednesday. Both the innocent hill people and Bangalees have been victims of this chaos which started after the death of a local Bangalee youth in an alleged lynching incident. Locals are holding the rumours spread on social media responsible behind the sudden unrest in the hilly region.

According to them, rumours and misinformation spread on Facebook about attacks, arsons, shootings and killings in different areas creating extreme panic and anxiety among the locals. These 'false and provocative' posts spread tension among the hill youths. Provoked by those fake information, they confronted security forces making the law and order situation deteriorated, local media reported.

Dhananjay Chakma, a resident of Milanpur area of ​​Khagrachari district, told Views Bangladesh, "During and after the clash last Thursday, various false information and fake pictures were posted on social media platforms. The situation in the entire district was not that bad as the situation is shown. We were up all night. Everyone spent the night in fear."

The unrest started on Wednesday when a Bangalee youth Md. Mamun, 30, died in a "mass beating" in Khagrachari Sadar. According to the locals, Mamun was a member of Khagrachari unit Juba Dal and was wanted in 11 theft cases. Centering his death, hill youths and Bangalees engaged in a chase and counter chase that day.

The next day, Bangalee youths took out a march in Dighinala, 27 km from Sadar, in protest against the killing of Mamun. They alleged that when the procession was crossing Boalkhali Bazar, the hill youths obstructed them, ensueding a clash between the two sides. Due to this clash, 105 small and big shops and two structures next to the Lerma Square were set on fire. Of the structures, 78 belong to hill people while rest are of Bangalee's.

While six people were injured in Wednesday's chase and counter chase, rumours spread on Facebook that five were killed. That led to tension between the two sides. Even if arson attack was carried out in a certain area, the news of burning villages were seen on Facebook.

Talking to the locals, it is known that the situation worsened on Thursday when the internet connection went down. Another rumour spread about the internet disconnection and the general public panicked.

Dighinala Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mamunur Rashid said that 102 shops in Dighinala Bus Station and Lerma Square area were torched in the fire leaving both Bangalee and hill traders affected. However, news spread on Facebook that hill people were being killed indiscriminately by cutting off internet connections. Bangalees are looting their houses and setting them on fire. Even false information like the hiding the bodies was also spread on Facebook.

Ragarding the issue, Nahid Islam, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said that there is no question of giving instructions to the local administration to cut off the internet connection. The government didn’t issue any such order to check the unrest.

He said that in Khagrachari and Rangamati districts, cables were cut, caught fire and internet connectivity and mobile networks were disrupted due to lightning strikes. The officials concerned have been instructed by the ministry to activate it in a short time.

Locals claim that hill people and Bangalees locked horned in Khagrachari city, suburbs and various upazilas by listening to those rumours. They said that exaggerated information posted on social media platforms including Facebook has worsened the situation.

Although three people died in Khagrachari on Thursday night, it was spread on Facebook that the army personnel shot and killed at least fifty people. Hearing about the fake death toll, Facebook users across the country spend the night in worry.

Following the incident, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) stated, "A patrol team from Khagrachari zone faced obstruction from an agitated crowd led by UPDF when they attempted to transfer a critically ill patient in the Shonirvor area of Khagrachari town. Eventually, UPDF terrorists opened fire on the army patrol, prompting the army to return fire in self-defense. Reports indicate that three people were killed and several others were injured during this exchange of gunfire."

On the other hand, the Khagrachari incident spread excitement in Rangamati as well. As a result of that tension, there was also a clash on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said that in the morning, hill students came to Banrupa in Rangamati town with a protest march and attacked several cars and shops. Later, a clash occurred between two sides leaving one person killed and 53 others injured on both sides.

After the violence, the security system has been strengthened in the hilly areas including Khagrachari and Rangamati. The army and other law and order forces are working to keep the situation calm.

District Commissioner of Khagrachari Sahiduzzaman said, "We all have to be aware and deal with the situation carefully. No one should listen to rumours. At present the situation in the district is normal. I urge everyone to exercise restraint in order to maintain peace and harmony."

Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati, Mohammad Mosharf Hossain Khan said: "An untoward incident has occurred in Rangamati town. So Section 144 has been imposed. This order will remain in force until further notice. Besides, Army, BGB and additional police have been deployed in Rangamati town.

Noting that the ongoing tension may turn into violent riots in the three hill districts, the ISPR called on the general public to maintain peace and harmony to prevent further escalation.

They have urged local leaders to assist law enforcement in calming the situation and have stated that proper investigations will be conducted to identify the actual perpetrators and take necessary legal actions. 

Regarding the ongoing unrest in the CHT and rumours circulating on social media indicating possible foreign involvement in destabilising Bangladesh, particularly following political commentary from the student movement and political parties after August 5, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said, "We view this as an internal issue, and we are working to resolve it. Today, three advisers have travelled to the region to engage in dialogue and foster peace, ensuring the conflict doesn't escalate."

He further mentioned that there have been disturbances affecting law and order, with Section 144 imposed the previous day. "We are actively trying to resolve the issue, and I am hopeful that we will succeed," he added.