In a flagrant and unprecedented violation of Bangladesh’s territorial integrity, the Arakan Army—a formidable insurgent group from neighboring Myanmar—staged an extravagant water festival within Bangladeshi borders on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through security circles and leaving local residents gripped with anxiety.
The event, held at Remakree in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban, featured live musical performances under a massive banner proclaiming the “Arakha Water Festival.” Dressed performers danced on stage as a crowd gathered, oblivious—or perhaps resigned—to the geopolitical ramifications unfolding before their eyes.
What should have been a matter of immediate national concern instead unfolded in plain sight. Among the attendees were local officials, including Mhuishwe Thui Marma, Chairman of Remakree Union, and Mong Prue Aung, former Chairman of Tindu Union.
Most astonishingly, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were also reportedly present, their silence and inaction amplifying public outrage.
“This is nothing short of a calculated and symbolic occupation,” said a regional security analyst, requesting anonymity. “The Arakan Army didn’t just cross a border—they challenged Bangladesh’s sovereignty with impunity.”
When contacted, Bandarban Superintendent of Police Md. Shahidullah Kowsar offered a terse confirmation:
“Yes, the Arakan Army organised a cultural programme inside our territory at remote Thanchi. I can’t make more comment on this.”
His guarded response only intensified public unease.
Repeated attempts to reach Bandarban Deputy Commissioner were futile, as she didn’t response the phone call. Similarly, Remakree Union Chairman could not be reached for comment as his phone was switched off.
For the residents of Thanchi—a remote yet strategically sensitive region along the volatile Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier—the incident has become a source of existential dread.
“This wasn’t just a festival. It was a manifestation of power, a public display of dominance,” said a local journalist, too fearful to be named. “We are silenced—not by censorship, but by fear.”
Security analysts warn that the event could embolden cross-border armed actors and erode state authority in the already fragile Chittagong Hill Tracts.
“This is a watershed moment,” said one Dhaka-based defense expert. “If an armed group from another country can orchestrate a full-blown cultural event on our soil—attended by elected officials and ignored by security forces—what’s next? Armed parades? Recruitment drives? We are on a slippery slope.”
Residents now speak in hushed tones, their apprehension deepened by official silence.
With national security seemingly compromised and the state’s response conspicuously apathetic, many fear that this episode may mark the beginning of a more perilous trajectory.
Source : The Chittagong Hill Tracts
