Teknaf, Jan 13 (V7N) — A large torch rally and street meeting were organized in Howaikong, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Monday evening to protest the recent incidents in which Bangladeshi citizens were injured due to gunfire and landmine explosions along the Myanmar border.

On Monday, January 12, students and local residents organized a torch procession and street meeting in Howaikong, Teknaf, to protest recent cross-border attacks from Myanmar that left Bangladeshi citizens seriously injured. The rally began at Howaikong Market at 6:00 pm and concluded at the Techchi Bridge area, where a short street meeting was held. During the protest, participants burned tires on the road, temporarily halting traffic on both sides for about half an hour.

According to local sources, earlier on Monday morning around 10:00 am, Md. Hanif (28), son of Fazal Karim, was seriously injured while working on a fish project in the Naf River. The explosion of a landmine, allegedly planted by the Arakan Army, caused the loss of his left leg. Hanif was immediately rescued and admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

In a related incident on Sunday at 9:00 am, a 10-year-old girl, Hujayfa Afnan, daughter of Jasim Uddin, resident of Techchi Bridge area, was shot in the head by gunfire from armed Arakan Army groups across the border. She initially received local treatment and was later transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced care.

The twin incidents sparked widespread anger among the local population, prompting the student and community groups to organize the torch rally. Participants demanded heightened security along the border and protection for innocent civilians living in the area.

Howaikong Police Outpost In-Charge Khokon Chandra De confirmed the rally took place peacefully and stated that the overall situation in the area remains normal. Locals, however, expressed growing fear and anxiety due to repeated cross-border attacks in recent times.

The protest highlighted the urgent need for stronger border security and measures to safeguard residents from recurring violence along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border.

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