The Bangladesh Army-backed vigilantes have blocked people in several places from attending a mass rally in Khagrachari today. The rally has been organized by the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) to mark one year since the fall of the fascist Hasina regime.

While traveling from Dighinala this morning, vehicles carrying people were stopped at the Larma Square area by the vigilantes. They were prevented from reaching Khagrachari. It is reported that the obstruction was justified under the pretext that the BNP had a program scheduled for the afternoon, implying that the vigilantes acted on behalf of the BNP.

In protest of this obstruction, students and locals who were barred from attending the rally staged an impromptu demonstration in Dighinala.

On the other hand, at the “Zero Mile” entry point to Khagrachari town, vehicles coming from Mahalchhari and Guimara to join the rally were also blocked by military-backed thugs.

Additionally, vehicles carrying people from Panchhari to the Khagrachari rally were stopped in Dewan Para of Bhaibachhara by the same group, and the people were forced to return to Panchhari.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the military flew drones over the crowd gathered at the Upazila ground in Khagrachari Sadar for the rally.

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