Cox’s Bazar Tragedy: Military Violence Escalates as Air Force Opens Fire on Civilians
Eviction Crisis Turns Deadly as Bangladesh Air Force Expands Its Grip on Displaced Communities
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – February 25, 2025 – A shocking act of violence unfolded in Cox’s Bazar as the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) opened fire on unarmed civilians protesting forced evictions. The attack resulted in the death of 30-year-old Shihab Kabir Nahid, leaving the community in mourning and raising serious concerns about state aggression against climate refugees who have been struggling for land rights for decades.
A Young Life Lost to State Violence
On the tragic day, Shihab stood outside his family home in Samiti Para, unaware of the danger ahead. A single bullet struck his head, killing him instantly. His grieving mother, Amena Khatun, recounted the horror:
“They blew my son’s skull open. The bullet pierced his head, and his brain spilled out. We rushed him to the hospital, but the doctors could do nothing. He was already dead.”
Shihab, the son of former superintendent Nasir Uddin and retired headteacher Amena Khatun, had no involvement in the protest. He was merely stepping outside when the military fired indiscriminately, escalating tensions in an already volatile situation.
A War Against the Displaced
For decades, communities in Samiti Para, Kutubdia Para, and 17 other localities have lived in fear of eviction. Many settled in these areas after the devastating 1991 cyclone, only to be labeled as illegal occupants by the military. The Bangladesh Air Force, expanding its base in Cox’s Bazar, sees these families as obstacles.
Despite numerous pleas for legal recognition or alternative housing, the government has responded with silence, intimidation, and now, lethal force.
State-Sanctioned Violence and Suppression
The violence began when local youth leader Zahid, along with other activists, attempted to submit a memorandum to the district commissioner, requesting intervention. However, before they could reach the office, air force personnel intercepted and abducted Zahid, torturing him inside the military base.
“They told me, ‘We can make people like you disappear, and no one will dare say a word,’” Zahid later revealed.
As news of Zahid’s abduction spread, enraged residents gathered outside the air force base, demanding his release. What started as a peaceful protest turned deadly when military personnel fired live rounds at the demonstrators.
Government’s Narrative Met with Public Outrage
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement claiming that “miscreants launched an unprovoked attack” on the air force base, justifying the military response. However, residents rejected this narrative.
“They are the real criminals,” said an elderly local. “They steal our land, kill our children, and then blame us.”
With over 65,000 families still awaiting resettlement, the government’s housing project in Khurushkul has failed to provide adequate solutions, leaving thousands vulnerable to further violence and displacement.
A Nation’s Betrayal and a Community in Peril
The roots of this conflict trace back to 2010 when then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the construction of an air force base in Cox’s Bazar. Since its inauguration in 2011, the military has seized vast amounts of land, systematically displacing thousands.
“They welcomed two million Rohingya refugees, yet the people of Cox’s Bazar, besieged by climate calamity and military expansion, are being driven out of their homes,” said local resident Nurul Islam.
A Call for Justice
This latest tragedy is a grim reminder of the unchecked militarization and human rights violations in Bangladesh. With no accountability, residents fear that Shihab’s death will not be the last. The pressing question remains: How much more blood will be spilled before the government listens?
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