United News of Bangladesh

Election materials have been transported by helicopter to three extremely remote polling centres in Khagrachhari. The three centres are Naraichari in Dighinala upazila and Shuknachhari and Futyachari in Lakshmichhari upazila. A helicopter took off from the Lakshmichhari Zone helipad of the Bangladesh Army and first delivered election materials to remote Shuknachhari centre on Monday while the same helicopter later carried materials to Futyachhari in Lakshmichhari and Naraichhari in Dighinala in phases. District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said not only ballot boxes and election materials but also polling officials and members of the law enforcement agencies were transported to the remote centres by helicopter. Read More: 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Meanwhile, members of the Army, RAB, BGB and police have already been deployed to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. The Army, RAB and BGB are conducting regular patrols in different areas of the constituency. A total of 5,54,114 voters are expected to cast their votes from  the Khagrachari constituency at 203 polling centres. Of these, 121 centres have been identified as risky while 68 as highly risky.

Out of 203 polling centres in Khagrachhari for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, 189 have been identified as risky by district police and intelligence agencies, while 68 of them have been classified as highly risky. Sources said reports on the risky centres have already been sent to the Election Commission. Among the highly risky centres, Khagrachhari Sadar upazila has the highest number with 16 centres, followed by Ramgarh with 11, Guimara with 10, Manikchhari with nine, Mahalchhari with eight, Matiranga with five, Dighinala with four, Panchhari with three and Lakshmichhari with two. Only 14 centres have been considered general. Due to remote locations and poor communication, election materials and law enforcement personnel will be transported by helicopter to three centres — Naraichhari in Dighinala upazila and Futtyachhari and Shuknachhari in Lakshmichhari upazila. According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the Khagrachhari constituency is 554,114. Of them, 149,626 voters are registered at the 68 highly risky centres. Local voters and public representatives said that scattered settlements, long walking distances and communication difficulties in the hilly areas often prevent voters from reaching polling centres. They believe increasing the number of centres would reduce risks and boost voter turnout. 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Khagrachhari District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said the centres were identified based on observations by the police Special Branch (DSB) and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting. Khagrachari Superintendent of Police Sayem Mirza Sayem Mahmud said additional law enforcement personnel would be deployed at highly risky centres, patrols would be intensified and intelligence surveillance strengthened.

Ten candidates of Khagrachhari parliamentary seats met voters together at the town hall event on Thursday, promising to focus on road development, electricity, job creation, education, tourism, women’s empowerment, and drug control. The event, titled “Face to Face with the People,” was organized by “Sushasoner Jonye Nagorik (SUJON)” in front of Khagrachhari Town Hall. It began at 4:00 pm and was chaired by SUJON Khagrachhari district president Advocate Nasir Uddin Ahmed. The program was moderated by SUJON central coordinator Dilip Sarkar. The candidates spoke on infrastructure development, resolving hill region issues, improving education, and creating job opportunities for the youth. Voters from different backgrounds attended and asked questions. ‘Crude bomb’ explodes outside Jamaat candidate’s Khagrachhari house Candidates responded directly and assured transparency and accountability in implementing development projects. The 13th national parliamentary election is scheduled for February 12 and a total of 11 candidates are contesting in different constituencies of Khagrachhari. Independent candidate Ziruna Tripura was absent from the event.

A crude bomb went off outside the rented house of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Advocate Yakub Ali Chowdhury, who is contesting the election from Khagrachhari. According to Jamaat-e-Islami, the explosion occurred around 10:00pm on Tuesday in the Shalbagan area of Khagrachhari town, near the Development Board rest house. Condemning the incident, Khagrachhari District Jamaat Ameer Prof Syed Abdul Momen alleged that miscreants carried out the cocktail attack in an attempt to disrupt a fair election environment. “The attackers must be identified immediately and brought to justice,” he said. Read More: Jamaat nominee Abdul Haque reenters Dhaka-2 election race Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Mohammad Kay Kislu said police visited the spot after receiving the complaint. “The house owner and nearby residents heard a loud sound resembling an explosion, but no visible evidence was found at the scene,” he said, adding that a piece of plastic was collected for forensic examination. The OC also said the sound could have originated from a firecracker or fireworks. “Since a formal complaint has been lodged by Jamaat-e-Islami, the matter is being investigated seriously,” he added.

In the serene hills of Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts, an unusual yet striking sight has become a seasonal norm: dozens of pomelos, locally known as ‘jambura’, drifting gently down rivers and streams. This phenomenon is drawing attention as a brilliant example of ingenious local business practice. Local farmers transport pomelo fruits from remote hilly areas by floating them across rivers, as overland transport is challenging. During the pomelo season, the traditional knowledge and techniques involved in floating these hilly jamburas are clearly visible. Where the fruits would normally hang on trees, countless pomelos are now seen floating in rivers and streams. At first glance, it may appear they have been discarded due to spoilage, but in reality, this is a clever transportation technique devised by indigenous farmers of the Chittagong Hill Tracts to overcome logistical hurdles. Garbage pile turns Companiganj Bazar into a breeding ground for diseases With the harvest season in full swing, moving pomelos from remote hill gardens to markets poses significant difficulties due to rugged terrain and limited road access. To overcome these challenges, local farmers have turned to nature—floating freshly picked fruits downstream. Using the natural current of rivers and streams, they transport the fruits to accessible locations, where small bamboo enclosures are set up to catch and collect them. From there, the fruits are processed and distributed to markets across the country. This floating method significantly reduces transportation costs, which are otherwise high due to poor road conditions in the hilly areas. Moreover, it minimises damage to the fruits during transport. Farmers also say that sorting becomes easier, as any spoiled fruit can be quickly identified once it surfaces. Local farmers, including Asit Baran Chakma and Kalayan Chakma, said this natural transportation method has increased their profit margins, allowing them to send produce to distant markets without incurring extra costs.

Life in Khagrachhari has begun returning to normal since Tuesday night after a four-day disruption, as a road blockade enforced by a group was suspended until October 5. Though long-distance transport services have not fully resumed, a few vehicles left the district on Wednesday morning. Passenger presence increased at bus counters while limited traffic was seen in the town and surrounding areas. Business establishments, including shops reopened after remaining shut for four days. The indefinite blockade was called by an organisation named ‘Jumma Chhatra-Janata’ in protest of the alleged rape of a schoolgirl. On Tuesday night, the group announced on its Facebook page that the blockade would be suspended out of respect for the Durga Puja and in light of assurances from the administration to meet their eight-point demand. Situation in Khagrachhari now normal: Home Adviser But, Section 144, imposed by the district administration, remains in effect. Despite the suspension, tension persists among locals as additional security measures continue in Khagrachhari and Guimara, with army patrols, BGB and police patrolling. A five-member panel was formed to investigate the recent incidents. Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Shaber said he could not confirm social media claims that medical tests found no evidence of rape, noting that the report would be submitted to court through police. During the blockade on September 27 and 28, at least three people were killed and many injured in clashes. Several shops, homes, and offices in Guimara, including Ramsu Bazar, were set on fire. Officer-in-charge of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Abdul Baten Mridha said normalcy is gradually being restored, with vehicles running and no fresh incidents reported.

The indefinite road blockade enforced by Jumma students and local residents entered its fourth day on Tuesday, severely disrupting normal life in the hill district. Although the blockade has been relaxed on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari and Dhaka-Khagrachhari highways, long-distance bus services are yet to resume. Movement on internal roads also remains limited, with only a few auto-rickshaws and easy bikes seen operating. The announcement of the relaxation was made through a Facebook post by the Jumma students and residents on Monday morning. Meanwhile, Section 144 imposed by the local administration remains in effect in Sadar and Guimara upazilas. Khagrachhari BGB Sector Commander Colonel Md Abdul Moktakim on Monday urged all communities to maintain peace and harmony during this sensitive time. Army issues statement on communal violence in Khagrachhari He also assured that the BGB would continue to stand by the local population until the situation stabilises. To prevent further unrest, nine BGB platoons have been deployed, with two additional platoons kept on standby. Earlier on Sunday, three people were shot dead and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila. The Jumma students, under the banner of Jumma Chatra-Janata (Jumma student-masses), called the blockade protesting the rape of a 12-year-old Marma schoolgirl on September 23. Since Sunday morning, the movement of all modes of transport has been suspended, leaving daily life in disarray. The demonstrators have also demanded the arrest of all perpetrators involved in rapes against women in the hills. Streets in Khagrachhari town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs. Army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police forces continue to patrol different areas. The term Jumma refers collectively to the indigenous peoples of the three districts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Police on Monday disclosed the identities of those killed in Sunday’s attack. They were Akhrau Marma, 22, Teiching Marma, 20, Athuiprue Marma, 21, all residents of Guimara.

Tension remains high in Khagrachhari district following Sunday’s violence and protests over the alleged rape of a schoolgirl, which left three people dead and several others injured in Guimara upazila. Meanwhile, the indefinite road blockade organised under the banner of Jumma students and local residents entered its third day on Monday, bringing normal life to a near standstill. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Khagrachhari District Hospital late on Sunday evening, but their identities have yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile the blockade on roads connecting Dhaka and Chhatogram has been relaxed temporarily to facilitate services from 12pm on Monday. Army issues statement on communal violence in Khagrachhari Jumma students and local residents announced the relaxation via a Facebook post on Monday morning. According to the post, the roads will be open from 12pm until further notice to allow critically injured Jumma protesters, who were hurt in clashes with law enforcers in Guimara upazila, to receive treatment and to facilitate the proper burial of deceased Jumma victims. The post also reads that a medical team from Dhaka is scheduled to arrive and authorities at all levels were urged to ensure unobstructed access. Unrest erupted in the hill district after the reported rape of a schoolgirl on the night of September 23. Businesses belonging to both hill and Bengali communities have been attacked and vandalised in various parts of Khagrachhari over the past few days. At least three people were killed and several others injured in an armed attack by miscreants in Guimara upazila on Sunday. In an official statement issued on Sunday evening, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the killings and extended sympathy to those injured, including an army major, 13 army personnel, the officer-in-charge of Guimara Police Station, three other policemen and several others. Section 144 has been imposed in Khagrachhari town, Sadar upazila and Guimara upazila. The movement of all modes of transport has been suspended since Sunday morning, disrupting daily life. Protesters are reportedly setting up hidden barricades at various points, although they have not appeared openly. Streets in the town and its outskirts remain deserted, with residents largely confined to their homes except for urgent needs. Trucks and pickups carrying raw materials to markets in Longdu, Bagaichhari and other areas remained stranded, causing widespread disruption to trade and everyday activities. Army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police forces remain deployed across different areas. Although one suspect has been arrested in connection with the rape of the schoolgirl, two others are still at large.

A dawn-to-dusk road blockade is  Khagrachhari district in protest against the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl and the oppression of hill women. Vehicular movement came to a halt due to the blockade enforced by protesters under the banner of Jumma Chhatra-Janata. Witnesses said supporters of the blockade have been picketing throughout the district. Protesters have set tires on fire and placed tree branches on the roads to obstruct traffic in different areas in the district town  including Chingiskar, Jiromail, Balpai, and Adam, as well as on the Khagrachhari-Chattogram, Panchhari, Dighinala, and Mahalchhari roads. The suspension in vehicular movement caused suffering to  people, particularly tourists visiting the area. Army raid in Khagrachari leaves MLP commander dead However, no untoward incidents have been reported so far. Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Baten Mridha said they are working to remove the barricades and restore normalcy. Additional police have been deployed at key locations and security measures across the district have been strengthened. A Marma schoolgirl on the evening of September 23 was  gang raped while returning from private tuition. The victim’s father filed a case with Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station naming three unknown people as suspects. OC Abdul Baten said a suspect, Shoyon Shil, was arrested with the assistance of the army and a court put him on remand.

Students from various ethnic communities staged a protest rally in Khagrachhari on Sunday demanding the release of five Chittagong University (CU) students who were abducted from the Giriful area of the district town five days ago. They also demanded justice for the recent rape of girl of an ethnic community in Rangamati’s Kaukhali upazila. Under the banner of ‘Khagrachhari Adibasi Chhatra Samaj’, the demonstrators marched from Chengi Square and paraded through Shapla Chattar, Adalat Road, and ended their rally in front of the court premises. A protest meeting was held there, chaired by Tushon Chakma. Speakers included Sujon Chakma Zhimiti, president of the Pahari Chhatra Parishad; Ukkyanu Marma of the Bangladesh Marma Student Council; Akash Tripura, president of Tripura Students' Forum (Sadar unit); former CU student Rahel Chakma; and student leader Maya Chowdhury, among others. Human chain protests ‘baton charge by army’ on medical students in Sunamganj The speakers demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students and swift justice for the rape victim. They alleged that the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was involved in creating unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by disrupting peace and engaging in abduction-related activities. They urged the UPDF to refrain from such heinous acts and return to a peaceful path.