Minimum 18 injured in assault on Mro ethnic minority in Bandarban

Narinjara News, January 20, 2026

A minimum of 18 individuals sustained injuries during an assault on the Mro ethnic minority in Alikadam (Ale-khwa-taung Township), Bandarban District, reportedly orchestrated by Rohingyas and settlers.

The event took place on Saturday, January 17th, during the night in the Janali Para area of Ward No. 3 of Nayapara Union in the Alikadam (Ale-khwa-taung) Township.

Local sources indicated that villagers caught a Rohingya man from the Nayapara area, known as robber Jafar Alam (45), while he was stealing bananas from a plantation in Janali Para. His associates subsequently assaulted the villagers using homemade weapons in an effort to free Jafar Alam. A minimum of eight individuals sustained serious injuries during the assault.

The people who were hurt include Dangya Mro (52 years old), Amar Tripura (50 years old), Prekikya Mro (27 years old), Ongsong Mro (30 years old), Kotong Mro (50 years old), Ngangwai Mro (27 years old), Langching Mro (30 years old), and Menru Mro (40 years old). All individuals reside in Janali Para within the Nayapara Union of Alikadam Township. The identities of the remaining injured persons are currently not known.

Injured Amar Tripura reported, “Jafar Alam has been stealing bananas, pineapples, turmeric, and various crops from the gardens and livestock belonging to the Mro community in Janali Para for an extended period. Even after bringing the issue to the attention of Nayapara Union Parishad Chairman Kafil Uddin multiple times, no meaningful action was taken. A report was submitted to the police station on Saturday evening. While returning to their homes, a group of approximately 40 Rohingyas and settlers, guided by the robber Jafar Alam, assaulted the villagers near the Nayapara cemetery. Eighteen individuals sustained injuries in this incident, with four of them in a critical state.”

Injured individuals Prekikya Mro and Ngangwai Mro stated, “Despite having submitted a written complaint at the police station about the banana theft this morning, no meaningful action has been taken. The police directed us to come back in the evening. On our return journey from the police station, we were assaulted once more for a second time. We request a prompt and unbiased inquiry into this incident, along with the arrest of the assailants.”

Kafil Uddin, the Chairman of Nayapara Union Parishad, stated, “Four of the critically injured individuals have been moved to Chittagong Medical College for better medical care.”

The authorities have been requested to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of the injured individuals. Concerning this issue, Alamgir Hossain Shah, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Alikadam Police Station, remarked that Jafor, who has charges in several cases, perpetrated the event last night after being granted bail two days prior. A legal case will be initiated concerning this incident, and a mission is currently underway to capture those involved.