Manikchhari Correspondent, CHT News
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Public anxiety is growing in Manikchari, Khagrachari, due to an increase in terrorist activities carried out by vigilantes under the leadership of banned Chhatra League leader Md. Masud Hossain Bappy, allegedly backed by the military and intelligence agencies.
According to sources, on Saturday (September 13, 2025), which is a weekly market day, vigilantes demanded extortion money from vegetable vendors and buyers at the Manikchari vegetable market and the Tin Tehori Bazar. While two businessmen from Chattogram reportedly paid the extortion at Tin Tehori Bazar, other traders refused. In response, a gang of 7–8 armed men, led by Chhatra League leaders Md. Masud Hossain Bappy and Babu Marma, openly threatened them and demanded payment, warning them not to purchase any produce if they didn’t comply.
The gang further threatened the Tin Tehori Market Traders’ Association, saying that if the extortion issue wasn’t resolved within two days, the market would be forcibly shut down.
Despite the harassment and disruption caused by the gang, no action has reportedly been taken by the authorities against the perpetrators.
Earlier, on September 1, a man named Basana Mohan Chakma was abducted from Nakapa Bazar in Ramgarh by a group led by Md. Masud Hossain Bappy. He was later taken to the Guimara Army Brigade, interrogated, and subsequently released.
Again, on the night of September 6, vigilantes led by Md. Masud Hossain Bappy and Ramzan Ali abducted a 45-year-old indigenous woman named Painila Marma from Chailyachar village in the border area of Kanchannagar Union, Manikchari Upazila. She was subjected to brutal physical torture before being released the following day.
Such terrorist activities by banned Chhatra League members, reportedly supported by the army and intelligence agencies, have created an atmosphere of fear among local residents.
It is noteworthy that Md. Masud Hossain Bappy, who is allegedly involved in these criminal acts, hails from the Garubazar area of Manikchari. He is reportedly serving as the Deputy Secretary for Books and Publications of the banned Chhatra League’s Manikchari Upazila unit.
Following the fall of the Awami League government during the August 5 mass uprising last year, Bappy became affiliated with army-backed vigilante groups. He is now said to be carrying out terrorist activities in the Manikchari-Ramgarh area under the supervision of military and intelligence agencies.
—————-
