The alleged gang rape of a tribal girl sparked conflicts between the Bengali settler group and aboriginal tribesmen in southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday, resulting in at least three fatalities and numerous injuries.
Tribal groups, primarily from the Chakma and Marma populations, established a blockade with burning tires, tree trunks, and bricks on Saturday near the Khagrachhari district headquarters, sparking the first stirrings.
The violence then extended to the Guimara area, which is 36 km south of the district headquarters, despite the authorities' efforts to control movement and gatherings.
Gunshots at Guimara claimed the lives of three people. PTI cited police deputy inspector general Ahsan Habib as saying, "Their bodies have been kept at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital."
Senior writer Jiten Barua told PTI, "The authorities have enforced Section 144, but a curfew like situation prevails at Khagrachhari town as people preferred to stay indoors fearing outbreak of escalating violence."
The altercation came after an eighth grade schoolgirl was allegedly gang raped on Tuesday.
After returning after private instruction, the girl was reportedly discovered comatose by her parents and neighbours at around midnight.
She was treated at a nearby medical facility. A Bengali teenager suspected of involvement was later taken into custody by police and placed under six day remand to be questioned.
The Dhaka home ministry said that three police officers and thirteen army troops were reportedly hurt in the fighting.
In a statement released on Sunday night, the home ministry apologised for the deaths, promised to take legal action against those involved, and urged citizens to maintain their composure.
The statement read, "The ministry of home affairs has expressed deep sorrow over the incident in which miscreants attacked Guimara Upazila of Khagrachhari district, killing three hill people and injuring 13 army personnel, including a major, three policemen, including the OC of Guimara Police Station, and numerous others."
