Army boosts security in Khagrachhari amid alleged arms smuggling, protests over temporary camp

Bangla Press Desk:   Security has been tightened in parts of Khagrachhari as the army increased patrols and set up a temporary camp in Lakshichhari upazila’s Barmachhari area following allegations of arms smuggling through the border and rising tensions over the deployment.

According to security sources, armed groups have allegedly been smuggling weapons and explosives into the hill tracts through border routes and using some local settlements as hideouts. In response, the army and law enforcement agencies have stepped up security operations, including patrols and searches, ahead of the upcoming national election.

Tensions escalated on Friday when a group of locals gathered at Barmachhari Bazar field, protesting against what they claimed was the establishment of an army camp on land belonging to a Buddhist monastery. Some demonstrators chanted slogans against the army, while leaders from the regional political group UPDF were also present, according to multiple accounts.

Security officials, however, rejected the allegation, saying the camp was being set up temporarily as part of an ongoing security operation and not on monastery land. They described the location as “a considerable distance” from the site in question. Officials also stated that such temporary deployments do not violate the provisions of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.

“The army has the authority to operate anywhere in the country to ensure public safety,” a senior security officer said, adding that forces are currently deployed nationwide in support of the civil administration to maintain law and order.

The incident has triggered a wave of online claims and counterclaims, with some outlets accusing the army of land grabbing and others accusing armed groups of spreading misinformation to incite unrest.

Law enforcement agencies say they are monitoring the situation closely and have urged residents to remain calm.

BP/TD