Baghaichhari Correspondent, CHT News
Thursday, May 14, 2026
A group of Bangladesh Army personnel and an armed
group of the PCJSS (Santu) faction are positioned side by side in the Sudrishti
Aranya Kutir Bhavna Kendra area of Kadamtali village under Ward No. 4 of
Marishya Union No. 33 in Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati district. Local
residents suspect that a secret understanding exists between the two sides.
According to local sources, at around 2:00 PM on
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, approximately 20 to 25 Bangladesh Army personnel from
the Karengatali Sub-Zone entered the Sudrishti Aranya Kutir area and took
position there. Several hours later, at around 7:00 PM, an armed group of
around 35 members of the PCJSS (Santu) faction arrived from the Kajoychhari
area and positioned themselves east of the Kutir. Local residents said both
groups are currently stationed within an estimated distance of 500 yards from
each other.
Local residents believe the Army and the Santu faction
are maintaining their positions under a secret understanding.
One elderly resident said, “The Army conducts operations and harasses civilians in the name of searching for ‘armed terrorists,’ yet even though an armed PCJSS group is positioned nearby, they are taking no action. It appears there is some kind of understanding between them.”
Several other residents, speaking on condition of
anonymity, said, “We thought clashes would break out between the Army and the
armed JSS members. Instead, they appear to be coexisting side by side.”
They also said a secret meeting or understanding may
have taken place between the Army and the JSS.
Meanwhile, ordinary residents and devotees in the area
view the presence of both the Army and the armed JSS group near a religious
institution as an attack on religious sentiments.
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