After four consecutive days of blockade, life in Khagrachhari is gradually returning to normal. From Wednesday (October 1) morning, long-distance vehicles resumed operation, and shops began reopening, bringing relief to residents.
However, Section 144 is still in force in Khagrachhari Sadar, the municipality area, and Guimara upazila. Authorities have said the restrictions will be lifted gradually once the situation fully stabilizes.
On Tuesday night (September 30), the Jumma Student-Community, who had enforced the blockade, announced its suspension until October 5—or until further notice—out of respect for the Durga Puja festival and following assurances from the administration regarding their demands.
With the blockade suspended, transportation has resumed on major routes including Khagrachhari–Dhaka, Khagrachhari–Chattogram, and Khagrachhari–Rangamati. Many people are now traveling home for the Durga Puja holidays, while those previously stranded are also heading back to their destinations.
Shops have reopened and streets are once again filling with people, signaling a return to normal city life. The fear and anxiety caused by recent unrest and violence are starting to ease.
To maintain law and order, the army, BGB, and police are continuing joint patrols. Security has been tightened across the district, with checkpoints set up at key entry points and intersections.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Hasan Maruf said, “Although Section 144 remains in place, we are not obstructing people’s movement during Durga Puja. Based on police reports, the restrictions may soon be lifted.”
Officer-in-Charge of Guimara Police Station, Md. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, added, “Life is gradually returning to normal, and vehicular movement has resumed.”
Earlier, on Sunday, three indigenous youths were killed in Guimara despite the restrictions under Section 144, following an attack by miscreants.
Meanwhile, in connection with protests and violence over the gang-rape of a Marma schoolgirl in Singinala of Khagrachhari Sadar, the district administration has formed a five-member probe committee. On Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khondokar confirmed this while visiting the affected areas in Guimara.
It should be noted that on September 23, around 9 p.m., the Marma teenager was allegedly gang-raped on her way back home from private tuition. She was later rescued unconscious from a field by her family. The victim’s father filed a case with the Sadar Police Station against three unidentified men. The next day, with the help of the army, police arrested a suspect, Shayon Shil (19), who has since been placed on a six-day remand by the court.
