Around 2,000 tourists who got stuck in Sajek valley were safely taken out by the army on Saturday night after violent clashes broke out in Khagrachhari, leaving at least 27 people injured.
The tourists were supposed to leave at noon but got stranded due to a daylong blockade called by “Jumm-Chhatra Janata” to protest the rape of a Marma schoolgirl last week.
From midday, groups chased and attacked each other with firearms, explosives, and brickbats. Authorities imposed Section 144 and called in extra forces, including seven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). By evening, law enforcers cleared the roads in Khagrachhari Sadar and Guimara.
Later, the army moved the stranded tourists first to Dighinala Cantonment and then to Shapla Square in Khagrachhari town around 11:30pm.
Doctors at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital confirmed one gunshot victim, two injured by explosives, and 24 hurt with sticks, sharp weapons, and brickbats.
The violence came after a 23 September incident where a schoolgirl was allegedly gang-raped while returning from private tuition. Police arrested 19-year-old Shoyon Shil, who was put on a six-day remand.
BGB 32 Battalion commander Lt Kamran Kabir Uddin said extra forces were deployed to keep peace in coordination with other security agencies.
