KNF continues insurgent activities in Bandarban

Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) is reportedly committing insurgent activities at different parts of Bandarban even amid the ongoing drives conducted by the joint forces.

The members of the insurgent organisation, also known as Bawm party, are reportedly threatening the inhabitants for extortion, looting their foods and torturing.

They are also “forcing” the common people to help them in their anti-state activities.

Several hundred people of the Bawm or Bom community in the area had no option but to leave the country and take shelters at their relatives’ houses in the neighbouring countries, said sources.

Besides, the trade and commerce in some areas have shrunk, leaving the inhabitants struggling for survival, said some elected representatives in different upazilas of Bandarban.

Cha Sha Thowai Marma, vice-chairman of Thanchi upazila parishad, told the Daily Sun that they are living in a situation comparable to that of Palestine and Israel.

“We cannot die or live. We panic when something bad occurs. Fury prevails in different areas. Last week, a KNF man was killed in a fight with the joint forces,” he said.

He said the KNF members foray at the houses of different communities and forcibly take their rice and other things.

Aungpro Mro, chairman of Thanchi Sadar union parishad, told the Daily Sun that if anyone refuses to give rice, wheat or other things, the KNF members torture him or her.

Bhagachandra Tripura, chairman of Tindu union parishad, told the Daily Sun that the border of Ruma upazila has become very problematic. The KNF members march in the area.

Muishithui Marma, chairman of Remakri union parishad, told the Daily Sun that there is an area named Baklai which is a border area of Ramu and Thanchi. The members of the KNF sometimes cross the area.

He said, “Many people of the Bawm community left the country and went to Mizoram in India.”

Uhla Ching Marma, chairman of Ruma upazila parishad, told the Daily Sun that the members of the KNF haunt some remote villages at night.

He said many people of the Bawm community left the country for two reasons – one is for the attack of the KNF members and another is the fear that the joint forces might arrest them.

Shoimong Marma, chairman of Ruma Sadar union parishad, told the Daily Sun that more than 1,000 people of the Bawm community went to Mizoram in India over the last few months.

The number of the community people in Bandarban is about 12,000, said sources.

In February this year, the KNF members kidnapped Paindu union parishad (UP) Chairman Uhramong Marma and his UP members and demanded Tk2 lakh as ransom.

However, they were released after seven hours, said Uhramong.

Sources said business activities at Bogakain Lake Para, Mulnaipara, Darjeeling Para, Mungsa Para, Rumana Para and some other areas of Thanchi and Ruma have almost halted.

The Thanchi upazila administration imposed a ban on tourist travel for an indefinite period from 27 June. When contacted, Sykat Shahin, superintendent of police in Bandarban, denied the menace of the KNF in the area.

He claimed that a peaceful situation prevails in the area.

On 27 June, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui told reporters that the joint force operations will continue until the KNF is eliminated.

The KNF was formed in 2008. It began to commit its menace in 2016.

Last year, it published a separate map of their imaginary state, which includes Baghaichari, Barkal, Jurachhari, Belaichhari, Rowangchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, Alikadam, some parts of Mizoram, Tripura and Monipuri in India.

On 2-3 April, the armed members of the KNF stormed into three branches of Sonali and Krishi banks in Thanchi and Ruma and kidnapped a manager and looted around Tk18 lakh.

They also looted some firearms and bullets of Police and Ansar from the areas. After that, the joint forces began drives against them.

More than 100 members of the insurgent group were arrested while a number of them were killed in fighting between the joint forces and the KNF.