In a shocking incident, six armed assailants reportedly launched an attack on a Marma indigenous village in the Guimara upazila of Khagrachari district earlier today. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers — believed to be Bengali settler militants — entered the village around midday and attempted to loot property in broad daylight.
Locals stated that the sudden intrusion caused widespread panic in the otherwise peaceful village. When villagers tried to resist the attackers, the armed group allegedly opened fire indiscriminately. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far, though the incident has left the community shaken.
“This is a direct attack not only on our people but also on the dignity and security of indigenous communities living in the hills,” said a local resident, requesting anonymity due to safety concerns.
Residents claim that after some of the attackers were apprehended by villagers, personnel from the army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrived on the scene. Disturbingly, multiple eyewitnesses allege that security forces attempted to covertly rescue or shield the attackers rather than support the victims.
The incident has sparked outrage among the local indigenous population, with many calling it a glaring example of the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh. Community leaders and rights activists have called for an immediate, impartial investigation and demanded that those responsible — both attackers and any alleged accomplices — be brought to justice.
“This kind of armed attack in broad daylight, in an independent country, is unacceptable. We demand a thorough investigation and the highest punishment for those involved,” said another community member.
The Indigenous minority communities continue to express growing concerns over their safety, land rights, and the alleged complicity of state forces in settler-led violence — issues that have long plagued the region despite the 1997 Peace Accord.
