4 killed as Bangladesh army opens fire at protesters

At least four tribal protesters were killed and over 40 others injured after Bangladesh Army personnel allegedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in the Guimara area of Khagrachari district in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh on Saturday.

The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights groups, with the Delhi-based think tank — Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) — calling for India to downgrade diplomatic relations with the government of Mohammad Yunus in Bangladesh.

According to Rights and Risks Analysis Group, the army's use of force followed several days of protests by indigenous communities under the banner of Jumma Chatra Janata, who have been demanding justice for a 13-year-old Marma girl allegedly gang-raped by illegal settlers on September 23 in Singhinala village.

Protesters say no arrests have been made so far, prompting widespread outrage among local tribal populations, primarily from the Marma and Mog communities.

"The Bangladeshi army has responded not by arresting the accused rapists, but by attacking peaceful protestors. Today's killings and the subsequent arson attacks carried out by illegal settlers with the army's tacit approval suggest a premeditated attempt to terrorise indigenous communities," said Suhas Chakma, director of the RRAG.

Witnesses and activists allege that after the firing, groups of settlers set fire to tribal homes in the Ramsu Bazaar area, further escalating tensions in the already fragile region. No official statement has yet been issued by the Bangladesh government or military.

The RRAG has urged PM Modi to take a stand against the “systematic and state-backed violence” in the CHT.