Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
A tense situation is prevailing in Khagrachhari as an indefinite road blockade, enforced by Jumma Chhatra Janata, entered its third phase in protest against the rape of a schoolgirl.
No long-haul or local vehicles were moving since Sunday morning, while additional security has been deployed across the town. Shops and businesses in and around the area remained closed.
In Shapla Chattar, the heart of Khagrachhari town, neither vehicles nor crowds were visible in the morning. Security personnel were questioning and checking the few passersby.
Although no picketing was reported in the town, blockade supporters took positions on roads in different upazilas. Some felled tree trunks on the roads, while others burnt tyres. Police later cleared the blockades.
The local administration yesterday imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari as tensions flared during a dawn-to-dusk road blockade in the district, demanding justice for the rape of a schoolgirl.
Nearly 2,200 tourists were escorted from Sajek to Khagrachari under security force protection last night.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said in a statement that seven platoons were deployed to maintain law and order in Khagrachhari.
Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station's Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Baten said the situation was now calm, with no fresh incidents of picketing reported in town.
Jumma Chhatra Janata spokesperson Dwipayan Tripura said the blockade, though initially withdrawn, was reinstated following public demand.
"Ambulances, fire service vehicles, journalists and emergency services will remain outside the purview of the blockade," he said, urging everyone to keep the protest peaceful.
He also announced that the blockade would continue until their four demands are met: immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the two remaining rapists; arrest of those who allegedly attacked students during a peaceful gathering; proper treatment of the injured Jumma students; and a judicial inquiry into the coordinated attacks in Naran Khaiya, Mahajanpara, Yongdo Monastery and other areas of Khagrachhari.
The rape incident reportedly occurred on September 23 when the class-eight girl was returning from private tuition around 9:00pm.
The victim's father filed a case on September 24 with Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station against three unidentified men.
So far, police have arrested one suspect Shoyon Shil, who was placed on a six-day remand by a court.
