Section 144, imposed by the administration in Khagrachhari following the death of a teacher in a mob beating, was lifted on Wednesday.
The situation is gradually returning to normalcy, according to the district administration.
However, tensions remain high in the district headquarters and other upazilas, following the tragic lynching of Abul Hasnat Muhammad Sohel Rana, a teacher at Khagrachhari Technical School and College.
Police and army forces have been deployed on the streets to maintain law and order, with patrols observed at various locations periodically.
Meanwhile, the district administration has formed a committee to investigate Tuesday’s lynching incident.
The family of the student involved has filed a case against the deceased teacher on allegations of rape. Additionally, another case has been filed for obstruction of government duties and vandalism.
Rozalin Shahid Chowdhury, Additional District Magistrate and head of the investigation committee, said, “Today’s situation is stable.”
On Tuesday, clashes erupted between hill people and the Bengali community, leading to the vandalism and looting of at least 20 businesses in the Pankhaiapara and Mahajanpara neighbourhoods. Several shops were damaged, with some being set ablaze.
Most of the affected shops, which include clothing stores, beauty parlours and food outlets, are reportedly owned by members of ethnic minority communities. Even a private hospital did not escape the destruction.
The violence deepened tensions between the hill people and the Bengali community.
On Wednesday morning, limited long-distance transportation had resumed, though fewer vehicles were seen operating on local roads.
Taufiqul Alam, Additional Superintendent of Police for Khagrachhari Sadar Circle, assured the public that the situation had stabilised. He noted that security measures had been intensified and urged residents to remain calm.
On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Army organised a special discussion meeting with Bengali leaders and notable figures at the Khagrachari Region conference room.
During the meeting, Brigadier General Sharif Md Aman Hasan, the commander of the Khagrachhari Region, made a plea for peace and harmony.
He said, “The killing of Abul Hasnat Muhammad Sohel, accused of rape, has ignited severe tension between the hill and Bengali communities in Khagrachhari. This brutal act has intensified recent conflicts between the two groups.”
The brigadier general further urged law enforcement to pursue justice through legal channels and to prevent any further clashes.
He added, “We have talked with hill community leaders about the incident. Based on investigations, appropriate legal actions will be taken against those responsible.”
The unrest began on Tuesday when a rumour accusing Sohel Rana of raping a hill schoolgirl spread, sparking a student protest at his institution. Later, Sohel Rana was confined to the school, where he was brutally assaulted, sustaining fatal injuries. He passed away on the way to the hospital.
On September 18, a youth named Mohammad Mamun was lynched in Khagrachhari over allegations of motorcycle theft. That incident triggered violent clashes in Dighinala, which later spread to Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts, resulting in four deaths across three districts.
