Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday alleged that the armed attack during the recent violence in Khagrachhari’s Guimara was carried out with foreign-sourced weapons.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the construction of five administrative-cum-barrack buildings for Dhaka Metropolitan Police at the Old Ramna Police Station Complex, the adviser said, “Some terrorists opened fire from hilltops. These weapons often come from outside the country. I would prefer not to name the country, but journalists already mentioned it. Preventing such infiltration requires cooperation from all, and I believe everyone will extend it.”

Asked whether India had any involvement in the unrest, Jahangir Alam replied, “That is indeed a valid question. We are taking all-out measures so that such incidents cannot be instigated. The Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs is currently in the area, holding talks with law enforcement agencies and local leaders.”

The adviser noted that the overall law and order situation is “reasonably stable” but said vested quarters are trying to disrupt communal harmony during Durga Puja.

A certain quarter does not want this festival to be celebrated peacefully with religious fervor. That is why they are attempting to create unrest in Khagrachhari,” he added.

He urged all to refrain from disorder and ensure uninterrupted celebrations of Durga Puja, which began on Sunday.

Turning to police infrastructure, the adviser said only 25 of Dhaka’s 50 police stations have their own buildings, while the rest operate out of rented spaces.

We are working to change that. Today five new station buildings were inaugurated, to be completed within the next 15 months. I told them if they can finish in 18 months, I’ll be grateful. Soon, we will also lay the foundation for Shahbagh Police Station’s building,” he said.

Meanwhile, Section 144, imposed on Saturday in Khagrachhari, remains in force. However, the road blockade enforced by ‘Jumma Chhatra Janata’ has been partially relaxed on the Dhaka-Khagrachhari and Chattogram-Khagrachhari highways.

In a Facebook post on Monday morning, the group said the blockade was lifted on the two major roads to facilitate the treatment of the injured and funeral arrangements for those killed in Guimara during clashes involving security forces, police, and settlers. They also urged cooperation to ensure the arrival of a medical team from Dhaka.

The post, however, clarified that blockades on other roads in the district will continue.

The indefinite blockade began early Saturday in protest against the reported gang rape of a Marma teenage girl. Protesters set fire to tyres and felled trees on roads across the district, prompting the administration to impose Section 144 from Saturday noon amid fears of escalating violence.

On Monday, security checkpoints were set up at key points in Khagrachhari town, including Chengi Square, Shapla Chattar, College Gate, Swanirvar, and Zero Mile, where law enforcers were questioning commuters under the restrictions.