Dighinala Correspondent | CHT News
Thursday, March 12, 2026
A man was allegedly beaten by terrorists of the PCJSS
(Santu) group after he protested an extortion demand in Naraichhari village
under Babuchhara Union of Dighinala Upazila in Khagrachari district.
According to reports received late, the incident
occurred on March 4, 2026.
The victim has been identified as Shanti Priya Chakma,
son of Jagabandhu Chakma, a jhum cultivator from Soddengchhara village
(Naraichhari), Ward No. 9 of Babuchhara Union in Dighinala.
Local sources said that on the day of the incident,
Shanti Priya Chakma was traveling by an engine-powered boat to Noabazar in
Babuchhara to sell eight sacks of dried turmeric harvested from his jhum field.
While on the way, a collector of the Santu Group, identified as Dipak Chakma,
allegedly demanded 300 taka in extortion for each sack of turmeric.
When Shanti Priya Chakma protested, saying that paying
300 taka per sack would leave him with nothing to feed his family, he was
reportedly assaulted. The attack was allegedly carried out by Dipak Chakma and
his associate Mangsanu Marma, also known as Mension, on the orders of Santu
Group commander Ramesh Chakma.
Residents claim that armed terrorists of the Santu
Group stationed in Naraichhari regularly collect extortion by force from jhum
cultivators, including from turmeric and other agricultural products. Farmers
are reportedly required to pay 300 taka for each sack of dried turmeric when
taking their produce to market.
Jhum cultivators from several areas—including
Naraichhari, Ultochhari, Borbopara, Ajhachhara, Pagujyachhari, Soddengchhara,
and Dojorpara—have reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with the alleged
extortion practices.
Local residents, community elders, and public
representatives have strongly criticized what they describe as the continued
harassment and exploitation of farmers by the Santu Group.
Meanwhile, locals also alleged that nine armed
terrorists of the JSS Santu Group stationed themselves at the Dhanpada boat
terminal in Babuchhara from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11,
where they reportedly collected extortion from people passing through the area.
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