Moniswapan concerned at JMB presence in CHT

He urged security agencies to keep a close watch on activities of suspected militants, saying they can do subversive activities and undo efforts towards peace and progress in the hills.

"So long we were aware of existence of indigenous gunrunners supporting or opposing the (CHT) peace accord. But reported existence of Islamic militants, especially JMB activists, here has made us seriously concerned. Because, they can create a woeful situation for us any time ", Moniswapan said.

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He was speaking at the District Law and Order Meeting, held at Rangamati Deputy Commissioner's office on Monday.

"Naikhyongchhari (a frontier upazila of Bandarban hill district) recently became a route for smuggling of sophisticated firearms into the country. Islamic militants reportedly having foreign links are involved in smuggling and supplying those to terrorists roaming in the hills ", he said.

The Deputy Minister however did not name the two other hill districts in this regard.

Moniswapan regretted that the three hill districts are out of cell phone network. He urged the authorities to include the hill districts in the network, saying this will be helpful in tracking down criminals.

The argument that mobile phone network will help spread terrorism in the hills is not acceptable, he said.

"Rather, mobile network will help curb terrorism ", he said.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Gazi Md Zulhash, Police Superintendent Sheikh Md. Maruf Hassan, army officials, political leaders and newsmen were also present at the meeting.