Staff Reporter, CHT News
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Bangladesh Army personnel allegedly assaulted two men and searched a resident’s home in Shuknachhara, Ward No. 3 of Kobakhali Union, Dighinala Upazila, Khagrachhari District, near the Baghaihat border area of Sajek. The soldiers also reportedly seized 20 blankets purchased for a religious retreat center and a privately owned motorcycle.
Local residents said the incident occurred at around 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The alleged victims were identified as Bahak Chakma, 35, son of Malendra Chakma, and Purna Bikash Chakma, 19, son of Babugulo Chakma. Both are residents of Shuknachhara Bottola village.
The soldiers also reportedly searched the home of Sumanta Chakma, an alleged member of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), and ransacked the property.
Eyewitnesses told CHT News that a group of army personnel arrived at the Shuknachhara marketplace in a jeep from Baghaihat Army Zone at around 8 a.m.
“They beat Bahak Chakma and Purna Bikash Chakma and seized 20 blankets that had been purchased for a religious retreat center and kept at a shop,” the eyewitnesses said.
Bahak Chakma, one of the alleged victims, described the incident:
“I had gone from home to the shop to have some tea. Several of us were sitting there when army personnel suddenly arrived in a jeep. As soon as they got out of the vehicle, they grabbed me. First, they told me to hold a knife. When I refused, they tried to force me to hold a pistol. When I refused that as well, they took me to another location and severely beat me.
“They then continued beating me as they took me toward Sumanta Chakma’s house. On the way, they also detained Purna Bikash, son of Babugulo Chakma, and took him to Sumanta Chakma’s house. There, they beat Purna Bikash as well. The soldiers searched Sumanta Chakma’s house and ransacked his belongings. They eventually released us and left.”
Purna Bikash Chakma, the other alleged victim, also described his experience:
“After leaving the shop, the army personnel came to our house. At the time, I was preparing to wash some clothes. They asked me where Sumanta Chakma, a UPDF member, lived and took me along to show them his house. The soldiers searched the house and ransacked the belongings inside.
“They then asked me what I did for a living. I told them that I was a student, but they began beating me severely with sticks. They beat me so hard that one of the sticks broke. They eventually released me and left.”
Meanwhile, Bhadrasen Chakma, son of Chitta Ranjan Chakma and a resident of the same village, said that the soldiers had also taken his motorcycle.
“I had left my motorcycle at the shop yesterday for my personal use. Today, army personnel took it away,” he said.
The incident has reportedly sparked anger and resentment among local residents, who have called on the authorities to immediately stop harassment, intimidation, and abuse targeting ordinary civilians.
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