Lakshmichhari Correspondent, CHT News
Sunday, April 19, 2026
On April 19, 2026, it has been reported that the army conducted harassing searches at the houses of three innocent indigenous villagers in the Notun Para area of Hudukchhari, under Barmachhari Union of Lakshmichhari Upazila in Khagrachhari.
The victims are: Bhugol Kanti Chakma (41), Nagujje Chakma (30), and Kripa Mohan Chakma (40).
According to local sources, at around 12:30 a.m. last midnight, a large number of army personnel arrived in seven vehicles at the gate of the Jafarabad Division of the Karnaphuli Tea Garden. However, as the gate was locked, they could not enter with their vehicles. Later, they broke the lock of the gate and entered the tea garden, then proceeded on foot and, at around 2:00 a.m., raided Notun Para in the Hudukchhari area. It is reported that several masked armed collaborators were also present with the army.
At that time, the army first surrounded the house of Bhugol Kanti Chakma. Later, army personnel, along with the masked collaborators, entered the house and conducted a search. During the search, they looked for members of the UPDF and asked, “Did any UPDF members come here today?” The victims stated that one of the individuals accompanying the army was heard speaking in the Chakma language. When the family members replied that “no one had come,” the army and the collaborators searched a schoolgirl’s bag in the house but, finding nothing, left the place.
After that, the army raided the house of Nagujje Chakma. Failing to find any UPDF members there as well, they left. Later, they went to the house of another villager, Kripa Mohan Chakma, where they conducted a search and questioned the family in the same manner.
Local residents said that after staying there for about five hours, the army left the area around 7:00 a.m., passing through Hudukchhari Bazaar and returning to their camp.
Such harassing midnight searches by the army have created fear, concern, and anger among the local indigenous people. They have demanded an end to the harassment of innocent indigenous civilians.
——–
