Bandarban Correspondent: Villages in the area have been left deserted after eight people were killed in firing by two armed parties in Bandarban’s Rowangchari. Out of fear, the houses of 195 families, including cattle and poultry, are left in an abandoned condition. The fleeing families are in panic and worry. The Police Superintendent of Bandarban said security measures have been strengthened to protect their lives. Tariqul Islam
Superintendent of Police, Md. Tariqul Islam
At that time, the Superintendent of Police said that after the incident, besides strengthening security, we had increased intelligence surveillance. We are reviewing security risks. District police are working. After this incident in Rawangchari, we are in regular contact with the villagers who left the village in fear and took shelter in the Rawangchari Government High School in Rawangchari Sadar. I am trying to give them courage by talking to them so that fear does not work in them and they are not worried. We have strengthened security in areas where we have police outposts, camps, and checkpoints. People living in the area are always being asked about them. The Superintendent of Police also said that more than 200 people who fled the scene in fear have taken shelter in Rwangchari Government High School. On the other hand, more than 60 people have taken shelter in the left community hall of Ruma upazila. They are being given security under the responsibility of the OCs of our two police stations. And talking to them, encouraging them. He said that we will talk to them along with the district administration and proceed regarding when and how they will return.
Meanwhile, even after knowing the identity of the body, none of the relatives came to collect the body. The relatives did not come to collect the dead bodies from the Bandarban Sadar Hospital mortuary after the post-mortem. In this regard, Bam Social Council President Lal Jarlam Bam said, I received a total of eight dead bodies. Six bodies were handed over to relatives in Juvarang district, and two bodies were handed over to Pakhniya district. He also said that after a few days, a decision will be taken after discussing the case with the relatives.
Incidentally, last Thursday night, there was a massive gunfight with the Kuki Chin National Front (KNF), a separatist armed organization of the hills, and the members of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Jana Sansahti Samiti (JSS Sanskar). Later on Friday morning, the locals informed the police after seeing the dead bodies of eight people wearing olive-colored clothes.
The police from Rowangchari police station went to the spot and recovered the dead bodies and sent them to the Bandarban Sadar Hospital morgue. After this incident, 195 families fled the village when panic spread in the neighboring areas. They have now taken shelter at Rawangchari Government High School and the Ruma Upazila Community Hall. In this incident, the police claimed that the shooting happened between the KNF and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-Reform) over the dominance of the hills.
