India has rejected claims from Bangladesh’s temporary government implicating New Delhi in the recent violence in the Khagrachhari hill district. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated that Dhaka struggles to maintain law and order and often tries to shift blame onto others. The Indian government urged Bangladesh to investigate local extremists responsible for violence against minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The response followed comments by Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser accusing deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India of instigating unrest in the region without providing evidence. Tensions in Khagrachhari escalated after clashes erupted between tribal groups and Bengali settlers following the alleged gang rape of a tribal girl, resulting in casualties and injuries.
Despite authorities imposing restrictions on gatherings in the area, sporadic violence persists, leaving residents fearful of further clashes. The strained India-Bangladesh relations post-Sheikh Hasina’s removal in August 2024 have added complexity to the situation.