Fears grip ethnic minorities after deadly violence in Bangladesh

Many families in Khagrachhari and Rangamati have fled, leaving behind burning houses and businesses.

Despite heavy army, police and Border Guard Bangladesh patrols, residents remain on edge.

“A tense situation is prevailing … Police and security forces are jointly patrolling, hopefully, peace will restored soon,” said Ahsan Habib, deputy inspector general at Chittagong Range Police.

The Bengali man’s lynching triggered retaliatory attacks on ethnic minority communities, officials said. 

Dozens of houses and businesses, primarily belonging to Buddhist minorities, were set on fire or attacked. Buddhist temples became targets, and loudspeakers in local mosques were used to incite Bengali mobs, witnesses said. 

In response, local authorities have imposed Section 144, a curfew-like measure, in Khagrachhari and Rangamati.