Dighinala Correspondent,
CHT News
Monday, May 18, 2026
A young indigenous man was allegedly assaulted and
detained by the Bangladesh Army in the remote Shuknachhara area under Kabakhali
Union of Dighinala Upazila in Khagrachhari district. He was later released
following protests by local indigenous residents, according to local sources.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, May 18,
2026.
The victim, identified as Russell Chakma, 25, son of
Buddha Ranjan Chakma, is a resident of Bottola village in Shuknachhara and
works as a motorcycle driver.
According to local sources, at around 4:00 p.m., a
group of army personnel from Baghaihat Army Zone arrived in Shuknachhara in a
pickup truck. After leaving the vehicle, the soldiers reportedly proceeded on
foot toward the Ramhuchhara area.
At the same time, Russell Chakma had gone to his
banana grove to collect banana bunches for sale. Local residents alleged that
the soldiers stopped him on the way and asked him to hand over the bamboo pole
he was using to carry the banana bunches. When he refused, the commander of the
army team allegedly physically assaulted him.
Sources further claimed that the soldiers later detained Russell Chakma, tied a rope around his waist, and took him to Ramhuchhara.
After news of the detention spread in the area,
approximately 40 to 50 local residents, including men and women, reportedly
went to Ramhuchhara and protested against the detention. Following the protest,
the army personnel released Russell Chakma, local sources said.
Residents also alleged that the army team is currently
staying in Ramhuchhara with cooking equipment and other logistical supplies,
which has reportedly caused concern and resentment among local indigenous
people.
Earlier, on May 10, another group of soldiers from
Dighinala Zone reportedly stayed for two days in an abandoned primary school
building in the same area.
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