2 more of new Roangchhari armed gang rounded up

10 September 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Bandarban

Roangchhari police on Wednesday night arrested two more members of Chittagong Hill Tracts Nationalist Forum (CHTNF), a newly formed armed group in Bandarban. A few days ago, a joint team of army, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and police rounded up eight of the same group. Police caught Sujan Chakma, 25, and Sumon Chakma, 18, inhabitants of Rangamati from local bazaar area with some documents, said the officer-in-charge (OC) of Roangchhari Police Station. Police said during interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they are active members of CHTNF and confessed to their involvement in the recent abductions in Bandarban hill district for ransom. On recovery of a money receipt from Suman's possession, police claimed that the same receipts were used during the abduction of Faruque Contractor and his two construction labourers. Police suspect that all the recent abductions including that of PHP rubber garden supervisor Hefajetur Rahman in Naikkhongchhari upazila were committed by CHTNF men. Locals alleged that CHTNF men have established their strongholds in remotest areas of Bandarban Sadar, Ruma, Roangchhari and Thanchi upazilas. Taking advantage of inaccessible location, they are carrying out abduction, extortion and killing unabatedly. Within a short time, they have expanded their crime network in Naikkhongchhari and Alikadam upazilas, locals informed. A source linked to the gang told The Daily Star correspondent that some local Marma, Boam and Mro youths trained in Rangamati formed CHTNF. It is now one of the strongest armed groups in Bandarban, he said.