He says the authorities will investigate if there are any backers of the group
Published : 06 Apr 2024, 10:17 PM
Separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front or KNF will not be allowed to get away with brazen bank robberies in Bandarban last week, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has warned.
“Law and order in the hill tracts cannot be allowed to deteriorate under any circumstances. Peace and order must be maintained at any cost,” he said during a meeting over the security concerns in the region at Bandarban Circuit House on Saturday.
Asaduzzaman said Bandarban was once the “most peaceful” among the three districts in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
“The armed separatists are carrying out significant terrorist activities such as bank robberies in recent times. The group had performed such activities earlier. We won’t let these things happen without a challenge anymore.”
He said the authorities will also investigate if there are any backers of the group.
More than 100 robbers first attacked the Sonali Bank branch in Ruma on Tuesday night. Besides taking away money from the cash box and guns from security personnel, they abducted the manager. Armed assailants also beat two security personnel in Ruma.
Sixteen hours later, the branches of Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Thanchi came under attack on Wednesday afternoon.
The name of KNF, better known as the Bawm Party in the hills, surfaced in both incidents.
Amid panic in the areas, the manager was released on Thursday evening. But at night, a heavy gunfight for over an hour rocked Thanchi Bazar.
Police said they filed three cases at their Ruma station and two others at Thanchi station against 200 people over the incidents.
With these incidents in the backdrop, the home minister visited Bandarban on Saturday to see the sites of bank robberies, abduction and a gunfight with the separatist group KNF.
He arrived at Ruma around 10:45am and visited the Upazila Parishad Complex, Ansar Barrack, Sonali Bank and a mosque. He spoke to the media about law and order in three hill districts afterwards.
“An armed separatist group has carried out these attacks in a display of power. We believe these are crimes against the state.
“So the state cannot remain silent, we will do whatever is necessary against these crimes. We will increase the number of police, RAB and Ansar personnel in the areas and the BGB on the border to maintain law and order,” Asaduzzaman said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had instructed the chiefs of the armed forces to launch a crackdown on the KNF, according to him.
He warned that “no kind of armed groups” will be allowed to exist in Bangladesh.
“We patiently have had discussions with KNF. Bandarban Hill District Council chairman sat with them twice but the group committed such crimes to exhibit their strength.”
"If those involved in the incidents take refuge abroad, we will bring them back to the country through Interpol and ensure justice," he added.
Responding to questions about the discussion with the KNF, the minister said, “If they want, the Peace Establishment Committee could have another discussion with the group.”
Necessary measures would be taken after investigating whether there was any shortcomings or negligence in preventing the recent incidents, he added.