Khagrachari Correspondent, CHT News
Saturday, 6 September 2025
The military-backed vigilantes disrupted and shut down a graffiti drawing program organized in Khagrachari by the Hill Students’ Movement Against Conflict and Discrimination, which was held in memory of martyrs Junan, Rubel, Dhanaranjan, and Anik.
The event was scheduled for today, Saturday (6 September 2025), in Khagrachari.
Expressing anger and strong protest, the Hill Students’ Movement Against Conflict and Discrimination issued a statement on their Facebook page.
In the statement, they mentioned that they had collected painting materials worth about 21,000 BDT for the program. They alleged that the vigilantes —(identified in the statement as members of UPDF (Democratic)—summoned four of their student representatives, directly threatened them, and ordered them not to proceed with the graffiti work.
In their statement, they further said, “Such undemocratic interference in a cultural and non-political program held in memory of the martyrs is a blatant attack on the democratic rights and freedom of expression of the hill people.”
They strongly condemned what they called the unlawful and authoritarian behavior of the vigilantres (named in the statement as UPDF-Democratic) and clearly stated:
“Our commitment to the martyrs and our spirit of resistance will not be silenced by any threats.”
The statement also called upon the hill people, student and youth communities, and all progressive forces to raise their voices against this undemocratic behavior.
Earlier, on 4 September, the group made a public invitation via a Facebook post, saying:
“This program is open to all. We warmly invite everyone who wishes to stand in solidarity with us to join.”
Context:
It should be noted that on 19–20 September 2024, settlers launched communal attacks on hill people in Dighinala, Khagrachari Sadar, and Rangamati, during which the military opened indiscriminate fire. As a result, Dhanaranjan Chakma was killed in Dighinala, Junan Chakma and Rubel Tripura in Khagrachari Sadar, and Anik Chakma in Rangamati town.
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