Authorities have released the body of six people out of seven who were killed when unidentified men armed with semi-automatic firearms ambushed a vehicle carrying them at Rangamati’s Baghaichhari Upazila on Monday (Mar 18).
“The bodies were handed over to police after conducting the autopsy on Tuesday (Mar 19). Police released the bodies to the families after completing formalities,” said Anutosh Chakma, acting resident physician of the state-owned hospital at Khagrachari’s district town.
People, whose body is received by the family are; assistant presiding officer Amir Hossain, Ansar and VDP member Al Amin, Bilkis Akter, Jahanara Begum, Mihir Kanti Dutta, and Montu Chakma.
The body of another victim, Abu Tayeb who succumbed to his injuries while airlifting to Chattogram, is yet to be released.
“Police are preparing to file case over the Monday’s shooting,” said Baghaichhari OC Md Jahangir Alam adding, combo operation is underway to nab the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the Rangamati shooting, security has been beefed up in Khagrachari.
“Addition security measure have been taken to tackle any untoward situations,” said Khagrachari Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Ahmar Uzzaman.
Monday’s ambush took place when the victims were returning to the Returning officer’s office along with election result and other electoral equipment after ending vote counting from a polling station in Sajek Union.
According to witnesses, the security personnel retaliated when the gunmen attacked and Chakma was caught in the cross-firing.
Eyewitness accounts from locals painted the picture of an ambush, with some saying the attackers were apparently waiting on a roadside hillock for the vehicles of the election officials.
Baghaichhari, Naniarchar and Kaukhali Upazilas in Rangamati went to polls on Monday in the phase-2 of the Upazila council elections with four candidates boycotting the elections on the allegation of irregularities.