Sajek Correspondent, CHT News
Monday, 15 December 2025
Bangladesh Army personnel allegedly assaulted two
shopkeepers at Majolong Bazaar, vandalized shops in the Bridge Para area, and
threatened two shopkeepers at Chouddo Kilo in Sajek Union of Rangamati. They
also made announcements over loudspeakers at Majolong Bazaar warning people not
to come out onto the roads during tomorrow’s road blockade.
The two individuals who were reportedly beaten are
Supayan Chakma (30), son of Akshoy Muni Chakma, and Kakhon Chakma, son of
Chandra Bijoy Chakma. According to local residents, both are shopkeepers at
Majolong Bazaar.
It is reported that today, Monday (15 December 2025),
at around 8:00 p.m., a group of army personnel from the Majolong camp went to
the Chouddo Kilo area and ordered the closure of the shops of Topiyo Chakma
(30), son of Babul Chakma, and Sumen Chakma, son of Arunamoy Chakma. When there
was a slight delay in closing the shops, the soldiers allegedly threatened to
demolish them.
Meanwhile, the army reportedly made announcements over
loudspeakers at Majolong Bazaar instructing people not to come out onto the
roads during tomorrow’s road blockade, threatening that anyone who did so would
be arrested as a “UPDF worker.”
According to the latest information received at around
10:30 p.m., soldiers were vandalizing shops at Majolong Bridge Para belonging
to Shanti Milon Chakma (35), son of Hojalle Chakma; Joyedhar Chakma (40);
Chikko Chakma (37), son of Surajoy Chakma; and Priyo Jibon Chakma (34), son of
Bhim Chakma.
Additionally, soldiers reportedly went to the
Egojyachari (Chouddo Kilo) area and forcibly entered the homes of Karunamoy
Karbari, son of Hutturibo Chakma; Topiyo Chakma, son of Babul Chakma; and
Jibantu Chakma by breaking down doors. They allegedly woke family members from
their sleep and subjected them to various forms of harassment and questioning.
It is also reported that Jibantu Chakma’s wife,
Chiringi Chakma—president of the Majolong branch of the Hill Women’s
Association (Pa.Ch. Nari Sangha)—was woken from sleep and struck on the neck
with a piece of firewood. Soldiers reportedly threatened her, saying, “There
will be consequences if we see you on the road tomorrow.”
These actions by the army have reportedly created fear
and anger among local residents.
It may be recalled that yesterday (14 December), a
primary school under construction with funding from local residents at a place
called Egojjyochari (Chouddo Kilo) in Majolong was demolished, and school
materials were taken away by the Forest Department with the assistance of the
army. In protest, local people immediately staged demonstrations and blocked
the road yesterday, issuing a 24-hour ultimatum. As the issue remained
unresolved, residents—under the leadership of the Sajek People’s Rights Protection
Committee, Sajek Karbari Association, Land Protection Committee, and Jumma
Welfare Association—announced an indefinite blockade of the Sajek tourist road
starting at 5:00 p.m. today, Monday (15 December 2025).
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