15 Families Return to Bandarban Homes After 23 Months

After 23 months of displacement, 81 members from 15 families—out of 28 in Baklai Para, Thanchi Upazila—have safely returned to their homes in Bandarban, with assistance from the Bangladesh Army. The return is the result of a successful joint operation that has stabilized the security situation in the region, according to a statement from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.

These families were forced to leave their homes due to escalating insecurity linked to the activities of the Kuki Chin National Front (Bawm Party) terrorist group in the Ruma, Thanchi, and Rowangchhari areas of Bandarban. Since mid-2022, the residents lived in constant fear, fleeing extortion, unjust demands, and the threat of being used as human shields in violent clashes. Many were forced to take refuge in remote mountain and forest areas, enduring hardship, fear, and hunger.

Upon their return, the army organized a communal meal for the families and provided essential ration assistance. Additionally, a medical camp was set up to address the residents' healthcare needs, and educational support, including materials and tuition fee assistance, was offered to help reinstate the local education system.

The Bangladesh Army has pledged to continue its efforts to reunite all displaced families and ensure the restoration of their basic rights, helping them rebuild their lives and communities.