Daily Star

UNB, Khagrachhari

As the general election is nearing, pro and anti-peace agreement groups are facing each other creating panic among the peace-loving people in the hill districts.

United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) has started electioneering seeking votes in favour of tribal candidates while Parbattya Chattagram Jano Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) has been trying to resist the election threatening local voters to abstain from casting their votes.

In addition, the two rival groups, ahead of the October 1 election, have been trying to establish supremacy somewhere in the hill region creating concern among the voters.

PCJSS announced to boycott the general election unless its various demands including formulation of separate voter list of the permanent settlers of three hill districts are fulfilled.

Local people also expressed concern over probable violence during the general election by the rival pro and anti-peace accord groups and showing of arms openly in the hill region.

Meanwhile, police arrested two tribesmen along with firearms from Matiranga area of the district recently and two more with AK-47 rifle and ammunitions from Kaukhali of Rangamati district on September 4.

In addition, a gang of tribal terrorists numbering 17-18 showed arms in broad daylight at a bazaar in Ramgarh upazila on Saturday creating panic among the local people.

No efforts has so far been made in the hill district to create congenial atmosphere for holding the election in fair and peaceful manner, local people alleged.

DS Mujibur Rahman Hawlader at an opinion exchange meeting here said that tight security measures would be taken for holding the election in free and fair manner.

Necessary steps would be taken to recover illegal arms and special security measures beefed up in those centres identified as vulnerable, he added.

Meanwhile, 133 centres out of total 157 in the district have been identified as vulnerable.