Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar

At least 12 local people sustained gunshot injuries in a clash with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar on Monday afternoon. The incident originated following the arrest of a man named Jahangir Alam.

Locals claim that Jahangir Alam is an ordinary fisherman and a leader advocating for the rights of fishermen. When BGB detained him and took him to their outpost, locals protested by blocking the road. They allege that BGB members suddenly opened fire on the protestors, leaving many injured.

However, various statements have been issued from the BGB's side. The force claims that Jahangir Alam is a human trafficker and drug smuggler. BGB stated that he was an accused in a case related to an attack on their personnel and was detained accordingly. Following the arrest, relatives of the accused, human traffickers, smugglers, fishermen, and local residents gathered at Moulvibazar intersection of Hnila Union, blocking the Teknaf-Cox's Bazar highway by setting fires and using boats to obstruct the road, causing damage to public and private property. BGB claims that when their members arrived at the scene to control the situation, they were attacked by the crowd. According to BGB, their deputy commander and 10 other personnel were injured during the incident.

Regardless of the conflicting narratives, the incident traces back to May 28. Although it escalated on Monday, contradictory statements have surfaced between the locals and BGB regarding the events of May 28.

In a press statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Jasim Uddin, commander of BGB’s 64 Battalion based in Ukhiya, it was stated that on May 28, a special patrol operation was conducted by BGB's Hnila BOP team in Teknaf. At that time, a group of 40-50 individuals led by human trafficker and drug smuggler Jahangir Alam allegedly obstructed the operation. Jahangir Alam and his associates reportedly attacked the BGB patrol with improvised weapons. Subsequently, a case was filed with Teknaf Model Police Station against Jahangir Alam, 15 of his accomplices, and 20-30 unnamed others.

According to the statement, around 4:30 PM on Monday, when the fugitive Jahangir Alam, accused in the BGB’s filed case, was arrested, about 50-60 fishermen and locals confronted the BGB members. Though the patrol team tactfully brought the accused to the BOP, smugglers and their associates gathered locals to surround the outpost and attempted to snatch Jahangir Alam from custody. As tensions escalated, they blocked the Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar highway at Moulvibazar intersection using boats and fires, causing damage to public property. For security reasons, a team of 20 armed BGB members led by a deputy commander proceeded to the area. There, they were reportedly attacked with homemade firearms, machetes, sticks, and stones by the agitated crowd, who also vandalized BGB vehicles and attempted to seize their weapons. In self-defense, and to protect public and government property and restore order, BGB members fired blank shots. In this clash, the deputy commander of Ukhiya Battalion and 10 other BGB members were injured. The wounded personnel were later taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex for treatment. The BGB statement added that the situation was subsequently brought under control under the supervision of the Ukhiya Battalion commander.

However, the statement made no mention of the injured locals. It has been confirmed as of Tuesday that 12 people, all with gunshot injuries, were receiving treatment at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital and Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Acting chairman of Teknaf’s Hnila Union Parishad, Mohammad Ali, said that fishing in the Naf River had been prohibited. Following prolonged protests, permission was granted for fishing, and a group of fishermen went to the river. On May 28, an untoward incident occurred during a BGB check, in which Jahangir Alam was implicated. Jahangir is a popular figure among the fishermen and a frontline activist in their rights movement. On Monday, when BGB detained him and brought him to their outpost, local fishermen and residents protested by blocking the road. At one stage, BGB personnel arrived and opened fire, injuring 12 people. Among the injured, two are undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, and 10 at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Multiple attempts were made to contact the OC of Teknaf Police Station for comment on the matter, but he did not respond to phone calls.

Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar court lawyer and human rights activist Abdul Mannan raised questions regarding BGB’s authority in arresting an accused in an ongoing investigation. He said, “Whose responsibility is it to arrest an accused in a pending case? As far as I know, only the investigating officer can detain an accused in a case under investigation.