Incidents of killing, abduction and other crimes are on rise in Chittagong Hill Tracts [CHT] in the recent days due to poor monitoring of law enforcing agencies.
The situation in three hill districts, particularly in Khagrachhari, has become tense as the United People’s Democratic Front [UPDF] and the Parbottya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity [PCJSS] are locked in a long-standing clash turning the entire area into a valley of death.
In the latest incident, two UPDF activists Notun Kumar Chakma, 50, and Pratul Chakma Rocket, 35, were shot dead by unknown assailants at Panchhari upazila in Khagrachhari hill district on Saturday morning.
“The victims were chased by a gang of armed men while gossiping at a tea stall and shot dead near Chengi river. We have recovered the bodies and sent them to the morgue for autopsy. The Police are trying to arrest the suspected murderers,” Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in Charge of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station said.
In another incident, armed robbers killed Ahmed Safa, 60, storming a house at Kagojikhola village in Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban hill district in the early hours of Saturday where the marriage ceremony of the deceased’s younger brother was being held.
Police said a gang of robbers numbering 22/23 stormed the house of Nurul Amin, where the marriage ceremony was being held and looted valuables, including gold ornaments, Tk one lakh cash and gifts at gunpoint.
Just three days ago, on April 9, Sudristi Chakma, a leader of Juba Forum of UPDF was also gunned down by armed assailants at Babuchara intersection near Dhiginala area in Khagrachhari. Another youth Ripvi Chakma was also injured in the attack.
On April 5, Narayan Marma, 35, an activist of PCJSS was shot dead by some unknown assailants at Beltolipara in Laxmichhari upazila of the district. Another person named Jiten Chakma was also injured when some armed assailants opened fire on them at Laxmichhari bazar.
Superintendent of Police of Khagrachhari Md Sheikh Mizanur Rahman told The New Nation yesterday, “The incidents of killing have increased in the recent days as both the groups are trying to establish their supremacy in the area. The reasons behind the killings are mainly extortion and collection of ransom.”
The SP said: The UPDF is an illegal organization and most of its members are engaged in various crimes, including abduction. They operate their network from deep forest and collect ransom, for which it is very tough for police to conduct raids.”
Indicating another reason for increasing killings, he said, “Nobody comes forward to file any case after such murder. The Police have to file murder case. But we do not get any complainant or even witness.”
Meanwhile, UPDF spokesman Niron Chakma has blamed the PCJSS led by Santu Larma for the killings. He also claimed that about 200 members of his group were killed and more than 100 abducted by PCJSS cadres since the peace agreement was signed between the PCJSS and the government on December 2, 1997. Of them, 30 were killed by its rivals in the past three years.
On the other hand, PCJSS leader and spokesman Sajib Chakma categorically denied the allegation and put blame on UPDF for the killings. Blaming the rival UPDF for the killings, he also said that at least 400 activists of the group have been killed since the peace accord was signed.
A local woman leader, Chanchana Chakma said, “Crimes like rape, murder, abduction and child marriage have been increasing in recent years. Between January 2007 and December 2012, a total of 122 indigenous women and children were victims of different kind of violations, including rape, torture and sexual harassment.”
Local administration and police sources said more than 600 activists of the two parties have been killed in gang-fight during the past 17 years since the peace accord was signed between the PCJSS and the government in 1997. The UPDF is known for its opposition to the peace accord.
