Four platoons of police mostly in riot gear were deployed at district headquarters to thwart attempts of violence during a scheduled programme today, officials said.

The programme is allegedly organised by Bangali settlers under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) banner to protest chairman of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity Shantu Larma's recent comments, officials added.

"We have taken all out measures to keep the situation under control," Superintendent of Khagrachhari police Matiur Rahman Sheikh told The Daily Star yesterday.

The BNP activists launched a heavy campaign to draw massive crowd during the programme, locals said.

During a recent visit to Khagrachhari, Larma blamed local ruling party lawmaker for the August 26 incidents at Mahalchhari.

About 400 ethnic people of nine villages became homeless as Bangali settlers reportedly torched their houses at Mahalchhari and left one killed and 20 others injured.