The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) authorities cannot deny responsibility in the killing of five people, including a BGB man, in Khagrachhari.
"Five people were killed by bullets from firearms which were in possession of BGB members, whether it was because of firing by the BGB men or by villagers after snatching the BGB's arms. The commission’s Chairman Nasima Begum thinks that BGB authorities cannot avoid responsibility in the killings," NHRC said in a statement.
Citing the incident as very sensitive, the commission said it is essential to launch a fair and impartial investigation to find out whether any situation has evolved to fire bullets.
It also demanded to bring the persons responsible to justice.
Considering the issue as very important, a letter has been sent to the home ministry to inform NHRC on actions taken based on investigations into it, added the media release.
Five people, including a Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) member, were killed when a clash erupted on Tuesday in Gazinagar of Khagrachhari's Matiranga upazila, between BGB and some villagers over transporting timber.
The deceased are BGB Palashpur zone soldier Md Shaon, villagers Sahab Miah, his two sons Ahmed Ali and Ali Akbar, and Mofiz Miah.
According to the press release signed by BGB Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam on Tuesday, the villagers surrounded the BGB team when they tried to stop the timber trafficking. BGB fired a blank round and the two sides pushed each other around.
At some point, the villagers snatched the weapons from the BGB and started firing indiscriminately, killing five people.