Bormachhari Correspondent, CHT News
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
A group of 40 army personnel has been stationed for the past four days in the Bormachari Bazaar area under Fatikchari Union of Kaukhali Upazila in Rangamati district. They have set up several tents on the premises of a Buddhist monastery located next to the Fatikchari Union Council Office. However, instead of staying in the tents at night, they are residing inside the Union Council building. Locals suspect that there may be a plan to establish a new military camp at this location.
Sources say that on 4 October 2025, a total of 40 army personnel arrived in two groups — one from the Khiram Army Camp and the other from the Laxichari Army Zone. Since then, they have remained in the area until today (7 October). The team from the Khiram Camp is reportedly led by Camp Commander Major Saifur Rahman Turzo, while the team from Laxichhari is under the command of another unidentified Major.
Immediately upon their arrival, the soldiers began questioning people on the roads and in shops. They asked locals questions such as:
- “We heard that UPDF members have called a meeting here today — where is the meeting taking place?”
- “Who is Sunil?”
- “Where does Sunil live?”
In response, locals clarified, saying:
“There was no UPDF meeting here. A meeting was held at our Arya Kalyan Bana Bihar (Buddhist Temple) to observe the Buddhist religious event of Prabarana Purnima. Other than that, no other meeting took place.”
Residents allege that the army personnel have frequently roamed around the area under the guise of patrolling, creating a sense of fear among the public. During these patrols, they reportedly harass people with various intrusive questions.
Today, Tuesday (7 October), which is the weekly market day at Bormachari Bazaar, there have been reports that the soldiers subjected many innocent indigenous and Bengali people visiting the market to harassment, questioning, and searches.
On the other hand, around 2 PM, a delegation of about 9–10 people — including Union Parishad Chairman Ushaton Chakma, local members, and village chiefs (Karbaris) — met with Senior Warrant Officer Md. Atikur Rahman.
Atikur Rahman informed the delegation:
“The zone has asked us to confirm where we are staying. So we need to report to them who owns the land and whether the land is khas (communally owned) or registered private land.”
In response, delegation leader Chairman Ushaton Chakma told Atikur Rahman:
“There are already two camps nearby — Khiram Camp and Shuknachari Camp — which regularly patrol this area. Unlike other regions, there is no unrest here. No incidents of theft, robbery, or any criminal activities occur here. Therefore, there is no need for establishing a new camp. If you forcibly try to set up a camp on the land belonging to our Buddhist monastery, it will violate our religious values. We will not accept that under any circumstances.”
From the army’s statements and activities, it is being speculated that there may indeed be plans to establish a new military camp in the area.
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