Partial Easing of Road Blockade in Khagrachari Amid Protests

On Monday, the fourth day of demonstrations in Khagrachari over the alleged rape of a Marma schoolgirl, organizers announced a partial relaxation of the ongoing road blockade.

Authorities confirmed the identities of three Marma youths killed during clashes in Guimara upazila the previous day. The deceased were identified as 21-year-old Athui Marma from Debalchari Chairman Para, 22-year-old Athrau Marma from Sang Cheng Gulipara, and 20-year-old Taiching Marma from Ramsu Bazar Battala.

Guimara police chief Enamul Haque Chowdhury verified the information on Monday afternoon.

The indigenous youth platform Jumma Chhatra-Jana, which has been leading the protests, announced on social media that the blockade on the Chattogram–Khagrachari and Dhaka–Khagrachari highways would remain relaxed temporarily to facilitate medical care for the injured and funeral arrangements for the deceased.

Clashes erupted Sunday during the demonstrations, leaving three dead and at least 20 injured—including 13 army personnel and three policemen—according to local reports.

Security forces, including the army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh, have been deployed across the area to maintain calm. As of Monday afternoon, the situation was reported stable with no fresh gatherings.

The unrest follows the September 23 incident in which a 12-year-old Marma girl was allegedly assaulted by three Bengali youths in the Singinala area while returning home from tuition. Her father lodged a case the next day against three unidentified suspects.

Police later arrested one suspect, Shayan Shil, who was remanded for six days by a Khagrachari court for further questioning.