Panchhari Correspondent, CHT News
Saturday, 13 September 2025
Armed members of the JSS (Santu) group are reportedly openly extorting money on the roads in the Pujgang Bazar area of Panchari upazila in Khagrachari district, and the army is patrolling the area, allegedly to provide them with security.
According to sources, at around 6 AM today (Saturday, 13 September 2025), an armed group of about 55 members from the Santu faction raided the villages of Monipara, Anilpara, and Prabhumoni Para in Logang Union. Later, a subgroup of 15–20 armed members took position on the main road just above Pujgang Bazar, where they began stopping vehicles and collecting extortion money.
Simultaneously, four vehicles carrying 50–55 army personnel left from the Panchari sub-zone and began patrolling the Babura Para and Harubil areas. They later moved to Borkolok and Kinadhan Baidya Para, which are located very close to where the Santu group is active.
It is also reported that BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) patrols were seen on the roads in vehicles.
Local residents have alleged that although the Santu group is openly engaging in armed extortion and maintaining a presence in Monipara and Anilpara, neither the army nor the BGB have taken any action against them. Instead, they appear to be providing security.
This apparent relationship between the army and the Santu group has raised many questions and concerns among the local population.
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