Panchhari Correspondent, CHT News
Saturday, 13 September 2025
Armed members of the JSS (Santu) group are reportedly
openly extorting money on the roads in the Pujgang Bazar area of Panchari
upazila in Khagrachari district, and the army is patrolling the area, allegedly
to provide them with security.
According to sources, at around 6 AM today (Saturday,
13 September 2025), an armed group of about 55 members from the Santu faction
raided the villages of Monipara, Anilpara, and Prabhumoni Para in Logang Union.
Later, a subgroup of 15–20 armed members took position on the main road just
above Pujgang Bazar, where they began stopping vehicles and collecting
extortion money.
Simultaneously, four vehicles carrying 50–55 army
personnel left from the Panchari sub-zone and began patrolling the Babura Para
and Harubil areas. They later moved to Borkolok and Kinadhan Baidya Para, which
are located very close to where the Santu group is active.
It is also reported that BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh)
patrols were seen on the roads in vehicles.
Local residents have alleged that although the Santu
group is openly engaging in armed extortion and maintaining a presence in
Monipara and Anilpara, neither the army nor the BGB have taken any action
against them. Instead, they appear to be providing security.
This apparent relationship between the army and the
Santu group has raised many questions and concerns among the local population.
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