Independent

7th December 2001
4 killed in gunfight in Khagrachhari
from Our Correspondent

KHAGRACHHARI, Dec. 6: At least four people were reportedly killed in a gunfight between activists of two rival organisations in Mohalchhari upazila here in the hill district today (Thursday).

Reportedly bent on having control of the area, the members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) locked in the gunfight at about 7 in the morning. Both the groups had developed a rift over the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. PCJSS was in favour of the peace accord while the UPDF opposed the deal.

Villagers said that four people were killed in the gunfight, but police said that they had heard about three deaths. Police, however, could not find any body, police sources said.

On hearing news of the gunfight, army personnel and police rushed to the spot, but the gunfight stopped before their reaching the area.

The villagers said that those who died were identified as Tapan Bikash Chakma, Bipan Chakma and Binoy Kumar Chakma.

They said that tension was prevailing in the locality following the gunfight.

According to BSS: Sources said that a group of gunmen reportedly backed by the PCJSS attacked another group of UPDF while they were crossing the local river at 7 am, triggering the clash.

Later, UNO Abdul Ahad informed journalists about the incident and said in recent days fierce clashes had often erupted in different areas in Mohalchhari over dominance.

Confirming the news of the clash, Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachhari said, he had heard of the clash, but could not confirm any casualty.