Five UPDF men held with arms, ammo

Five activists of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) were arrested with arms and ammunition by joint forces yesterday afternoon.

Mohammad Shamsuddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar Police Station, said joint forces, acting on a tip-off, arrested Ziko Tripura, 36, Pratim Chakma, 40, Swapan Chakma, 30, Ranju Chakma, 30 and Nikat Chakma, 19, from Khabongpuriya area in the hill town at around 2:00pm. They also seized two guns, eight bullets and Tk 89 thousand from their possession.

The arrestees were interrogated by joint forces and later handed over to police, the OC said, adding that a case will be lodged with Sadar Police station under the Arms Act and for their involvement with extortion.

Pradipan Khisha, organiser of district UPDF, said the arrestees were innocent. He demanded immediate release of the party men.