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Extortion, Kidnap Rampant in Bandarban

Armed criminals make villagers' life a misery

26 May 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

Monirul Islam Monu, Bandarban

People in remote Bandarban pass sleepless nights in fear of armed criminals while youths in groups patrol streets of their respective villages. Alleging that over a hundred armed criminals are active in the areas, public representatives have demanded strengthening security measures in remote areas of the hill district. Faced with security threats from the criminals -- both locals and outsiders, villagers are forming teams of 10 to 20 youths for patrolling at night, sources said. The initiative, however, sometimes prove too inadequate to resist armed criminals. Armed criminals introducing themselves as members of Democratic Party of Arakan, are engaged in extortion and kidnap for ransom in south-eastern part of Roangchhari upazila and bordering areas of Ruma and Thanchi upazilas for the last few months, Nue Sue Prue, councillor of Bandarban Hill District Council (HDC), said at a high level meeting last month. “Several public representatives and local indigenous leaders informed me that they have to live with fear. They have requested me to put up the matter to higher authorities,” he said at the meeting held at HDC auditorium in Bandarban town. Ruling Awami League lawmaker Bir Bahadur, a state minister status holder chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB), Prof Thanjama Lusai, chairman of Bandarban HDC, Tutul Chakrawarty, the acting superintendent of police and senior government officials were present at the meeting. Seeking active help and cooperation from local people to check criminal activities in remote CHT areas, Bir Bahadur urged forming local committees to build up local level security system in every village. As part of the present government's measures to ensure security for the CHT people, army patrol and anti-crime operation in remote areas have increased, the CHTDB chairman said. Some derailed people are out to foil the initiative, he said, adding that he will apprise the higher authorities of the situation so that proper steps can be taken. Talking to journalists at a meeting on Monday, Bandarban acting Superintendent of Police Nihar Ranjan Hawlader said they are strengthening anti-crime operations in the district following instructions from the home ministry.