18 Mros hurt in attack in Bandarban

At least 18 members of the Mro community were injured, eight of them critically, in an attack in Alikadam upazila of Bandarban on Saturday, police said.

The incident took place in Janali Para under Union No 3 of Alikadam, following a dispute over an alleged crop theft by community members, according to local and police sources.

Alikadam Police Station Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Hossain Shah told The Daily Star that the main suspect, Jafar Alam, 45, had earlier been arrested in a theft case and later released on bail by a court.

The OC said Jafar later carried out the attack on the Mro community in Janali Para after allegedly attempting to steal crops.

Quoting locals, he said a group of Rohingya and other individuals allegedly attacked villagers with locally made weapons, leaving 18 people injured, eight of them in critical condition.

“We are conducting drives to arrest those involved. Legal proceedings are underway,” the OC said.

According to local sources, villagers were first attacked in the morning following a dispute over the alleged theft of crops from a community garden. Later the same day, another attack reportedly took place near the Nayapara graveyard while some villagers were returning home after contacting the police. 

The injured were taken to nearby health facilities for treatment.

Union Parishad Chairman Kafil Uddin said he had been informed of the incident and advised the victims to seek legal recourse. When contacted for comment, Jafar Alam’s mobile phone was found switched off.