Killings in the hill districts due to extortion, political feud and establishment of control have become common. In recent times, there were several attacks on law enforcers.
A member of the armed forces was also killed during a gunfight in Rangamati. The residents of the hill districts say they are passing time in uncertainty.
The fingers are pointed at United People’s Democratic Front, UPDF for the upsurge of violence.
It’s believed that UPDF has become aggressive to reinforce its influence in the area.
On Aug 18 last, a member of the armed forces was killed and five days later, on Aug 23, an armed UPDF member was killed in a gunfight with the army.
After two decades of bloody insurgency, a peace treaty was signed on Dec 2, 1997, between the AL government and president of Janasanghati Committee, Santu Larma.
But opposing the peace treaty, Santu left the organisation and declared UPDF on Jun 26, 1998 led by Prasit Khisha.
It’s alleged that UPDF began politics of abduction with three foreigners in 2001. This event turned the hill district volatile.
At the moment, there are four parties in hill districts: Jansanghati Smaity led by Santu Larma has united with Prasit Khisha’s UPDF to create pressure on JSS led by Sudhashindhu Khisha and UPDF (Democratic) led by Shyamal Kanti Chakma.
Violence has also erupted in the hill areas in recent times.
President of Rangmati Press Club, Sakhawa Hossain, Rubel, says: “Terrorists hide in the deep forests and with illegal weapons are threatening the government; the government has to think about hill districts in a new way.”
Former general secretary of Rangamati Government College, Jahangir Alam Munna, says: “A soldier had to give life without any reason, those working at the upazila election were fired upon on 18 March with eight killed.”
Additional SP of Rangamati, Md. Sufi Ullah said: “Law and order are maintained and we are pursuing the drive to catch criminals.”
Meanwhile, Khagrachari police SP, Md. Ahmaruzzaman, observed: “Recent incidents prove that terrorists have heavy weapons.”
A terrorist group here dreams of autonomy but aspirations cannot be realised with weapons and violence, added the SP.
Khagrachari MP, Kujednra Lal Tripura, observes: “The hill tracts are a part of Bangladesh and all terrorist groups will be suppressed with a firm hand; we will not allow abductions and intimidation to impede development in the hill areas.”