EIGHT KILLED IN SHOOTOUT BETWEEN ARMED GROUPS IN BANGLADESH

A violent clash between two armed groups in Rowangchhari upazila, Bandarban, on Thursday night has resulted in the death of eight people. According to police reports, the gunfight took place between the United People’s Democratic Front (Democratic) and Kukichin National Army, the military wing of Kuki-chin National Front (KNF). The bodies of the victims, believed to be members of the

Kuki Chin National Army, were taken to the Bandarban Zila Sadar Hospital morgue and will be handed over to their families after the autopsy.

Locals reported hearing intermittent gunshots from Thursday evening until Friday morning, with some claiming that the gunfight took place between KNF and United People’s Democratic Front (Updf-reformist). Based on an inspection of their clothing, officials suspect that the deceased were carrying heavy weapons that were taken by the opposition armed group.

In a social media post, KNF claimed that only seven people were killed in the gunfight and blamed a reformist group for the incident without mentioning any names. KNF is the armed wing of the Kuki Chin National Front, which has separatist demands. On the other hand, the original UPDF under Prasit Khisa has in the past stated ‘full autonomy’ for the CHT districts as its principal demand.

The deaths reported on Thursday are the highest in an armed incident in the area since the July 2020 incident. The violence has forced some 175 families in the neighbourhood to take refuge in Rowangchhari Government High School. Since November 15 last year, at least 548 people from 132 families have taken refuge in Mizoram.

In recent months, armed activities by KNF members have caused concern among locals, leading to people fleeing their homes. On March 12 this year, a senior army warrant officer was killed and two other soldiers suffered injuries when members of KNA opened fire on a patrol team in Rowangchhari upazila of Bandarban. On March 15, KNF members abducted nine people, including Sergeant (Retd) Anwar Hossain, while they were working on the road in the Longthasi Jhiri area of Ruma.

The situation in the area remains tense, and residents fear further violence could erupt at any time.