Photo : Messenger
The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), a separatist armed group, is once again occupying the hilly areas of Bandarban. The areas have become turbulent again due to the activities of the armed group. Because of their terror and looting, the communities in the hills are in fear.
Recently, the incident of robbery in three branches of two banks in two upazilas of Bandarban within 17 hours has created tension. Attacks on two banks in Bandarban’s Ruma Sadar upazila on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon as well as terrorist firing at Thanchi Police Station on Thursday night have caused severe reactions.
In two upazilas of Bandarban, three branches of two banks were attacked and looted while a branch manager was abducted. Then on Thursday night, armed groups targeted Thanchi Police Station. Later at night, terrorists attacked a joint police and army checkpoint in Alikadam upazila. However, the police did not say anything about who fired the shots.
It was reported that a tense situation prevailed in Bandarban’s Thanchi Sadar upazila on Friday after the attack on two banks, armed robbery, kidnapping, and gunfire. Most of the shops in Thanchi Bazar were closed. Many women and children were leaving the area in fear. However, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police were keeping a close watch in Thanchi. Police said security had been beefed up and there was no reason for panic.
Thanchi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jasim Uddin said security had been ramped up since the shootings. “An additional 100 policemen have arrived at the police station. People have nothing to panic.”
However, many security analysts believe an indication of the armed group’s capacity, expansion, and growth in membership has become clear through the attacks. They also believe this may create new instability in some parts of the hilly region.
Security analyst Major (retd) Emdadul Islam told The Daily Messenger, “This fresh attack by the KNF has a major impact. As a result, the peace in the hills, especially in the KNF-dominated areas, has become very precarious.”
According to him, some other big armed groups in the mountains may have established new contacts with the KNF. The major groups do not want the KNF to go to peace talks now because it will destroy their sphere of influence.
He also felt that there is no way to avoid the ongoing armed conflict with the Kukis of India’s Manipur along with the activities of the KNF and the local Meiteis, the ongoing conflict of the government forces with various groups in Myanmar.
The KNF started its activities as an armed group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts two years ago by opening a Facebook page. They also announced the formation of a separate state with nine upazilas of two hill districts. Allegations of extortion and murder have been raised since the beginning of several armed raids.
At one point, there were allegations of training members of Islamic militant groups. After that, there were several armed clashes with the law enforcement agencies. Later, the group returned to peace talks with the government.
The discussion was supposed to be held again on April 22. But before that, the armed group robbed three branches of two banks. Now the initiators of peace talks no longer want to take the initiative forward, and the KNF continues to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear.
In view of the situation, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan is going to inspect the overall situation in Bandarban today (Saturday). Senior Information Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs Sharif Mahmud Apu said the minister would visit various areas, including Ruma, and exchange views with senior officials, including the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police of Bandarban.
Earlier, Asaduzzaman said the KNF’s hideout was wiped out by RAB and the army. “Later, they [KNF members] crossed the border and took refuge in some other countries. They were staying there. Sometimes, their representatives talk to us. They also said they want peace. But suddenly attacks and bank robberies seem new to us. Strict action will be taken against those involved in these.”
Meanwhile, Nezam Uddin, the manager of Sonali Bank’s Ruma branch in Bandarban, was rescued by RAB 48 hours after his abduction. In a press conference at the Bandarban Hill District Council conference room on Friday, Legal and Media Wing Director of RAB Commander Khandaker Al Moin said the incidents of bank robbery, armed robbery, and attacks in Ruma and Thanchi were about robbery and showing the capabilities of KNF.
He said there are several regional organisations in Bandarban. “Armed members of the KNF made the incidents happen to show their excellence, inspire their successors, and demonstrate the capabilities of their allies to the world.”
Moin also said strict operations would be conducted to establish peace in the hills and suppress terrorism. “Those who have committed terrorist activities will not be exempted. We will try to identify the terrorists by checking the CCTV footage. Those who attacked will be brought to justice.”
The RAB official said the campaign would continue. “We will conduct the campaign with the help of the army. We will deploy all our forces, including the army, to recover the weapons and bring the terrorists to book.”
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader said the government is taking a strict stand on armed activities in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
He said there is a joint operation going on and the situation will calm down soon. He also said a small ethnic group has started some armed activities in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
“This group is not found in Rangamati and Khagrachari, only in Bandarban. Some youths of the group are practicing with weapons. Law enforcement agencies are conducting a joint operation in this regard. There is no reason to think that the entire hill area will be disturbed by the armed activities of this small tribe,” added Quader.
Bandarban Correspondent Maungting Marma assisted to prepare the report
Messenger/Disha
