Section 144 imposed in Khagrachhari

Assuming deterioration of law and order, Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondaker has imposed Section 144 in the district town and municipal areas.

From 5am on Saturday, September 27, demonstrators under the banner of Jumma Chhatra Janata blocked roads by burning tyres, placing tree logs and bricks at various points in the district as part of a dawn-to-dusk shutdown, which will continue until 6pm. The blockade left many tourists and long-distance passengers stranded.

Barricades were set up at Chengi Bridge, Chengi Square and Narayan Khaiya on the town’s entry points, while picketing was reported on several stretches of the Ramgarh, Manikchhari and Guimara regional highways.

Transport owners and workers’ leaders said no decision has yet been made on allowing tourist vehicles on the Khagrachhari–Sajek route. While long-distance passenger and goods transport remain suspended, limited public transport is still operating within the town.

Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station OC Abdul Baten Mridha said police have been deployed at key points and are working to clear the obstructions.

Protests by Jumma Chhatra Janata erupted on Wednesday following the gang-rape of a schoolgirl in Singinalla area of Khagrachhari town on Tuesday. The group had already enforced a half-day blockade on Thursday and called a full-day shutdown for Saturday from a rally on Friday. The movement has drawn solidarity from UPDF-backed Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Hill Women’s Federation and Democratic Youth Forum.