RAB detains KNF 'chief coordinator'

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) detained militant outfit Kuki-Chin National Front's (KNF) 'chief coordinator' in a special operation in Bandarban on Sunday (7 April).

The arrestee, Cheosim Bom, 55, is said to be one of the chief coordinators of the organisation's central committee. 

Commander of RAB-15 Lt Col HM Sajjad told reporters in a press conference in Bandarban's Meghla around 3:30pm that Cheosim Bom was arrested after a raid at his house at the Suwalok union of Bandarban Sadar upazila this morning.

He was hiding inside a locker in the house. RAB broke the lock, got him out and made the arrest. 

He further said, "Cheosim Bom is a founding member of the KNF. He has family ties with KNF chief Nathan Bom. He is a fundraiser in the organisation." 

He also said after the arrest, an air gun was recovered from the house.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff SM Shafiuddin Ahmed said some members of the armed hill group Kuki-Chin National Front were arrested and weapons recovered by law enforcement forces in Bandarban.

In a press briefing after visiting Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban today (7 April), he said, "Combined operation against the armed group KNF has started and two weapons have already been recovered. The operation of the joint forces will continue until the situation becomes normal," he said.

"After being cornered last June, they appeared willing to negotiate. Unfortunately, their commitment to peace was superficial, as evidenced by their continued involvement in criminal acts," he added.

Meanwhile, a panic situation still remains in Ruma and Thanchi due to the KNF's rampage last week. A total of eight cases – four in Ruma and four in Thanchi – have been filed in connection with the bank robberies and kidnapping of a bank manager carried out by the KNF. The accused in these cases are unknown.

Confirming the matter, Bandarban Superintendent of Police Saikat Shaheen said no one has been arrested in these cases so far.

However, no fresh KNF firing was reported anywhere in Ruma and Thanchi today, he added.

Earlier on Saturday, RAB started a crackdown on terrorist activities in Bandarban. More than 100 RAB members took part in the operation.

Khandaker Al Moin, director of RAB's legal and media wing, informed media about the operation at a press conference on Friday morning. The drive began in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban.

Earlier, abducted manager of Sonali Bank's Ruma branch Nizam Uddin was rescued from the Bathel Para area of Bandarban through the mediation of the Rapid Action Battalion on Thursday, after 48 hours of his abduction by KNF members.

The separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank manager on 2 April, and tried to loot Tk1.5 crore from the vault of the Ruma branch. Unable to take the money, they kidnapped the bank manager.

They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday.

A tense situation has been prevailing in the upazila after the incidents.

Senior officials of the home ministry, security forces and administration have already visited the area.

So far, eight cases have been filed with Ruma and Thanchi police stations.

Earlier, in a briefing on 3 April, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, "Kuki Chin was involved in bank robberies and firearms looting. They also hit police constables, bank guards and ansar." 

"First, they switched off the electricity substation and then started looting valuables and firearms. Later, they abducted the local Sonali Bank manager when he was performing Tarabi Namaz," he said.

The minister said they also attacked Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank at Thanchi and looted cash and valuables.

Kamal said police and BGB are carrying out operations immediately after the incident.

"We will do everything we need to bring the situation under control. Police and BGB have been carrying out their duties. If necessary, Bangladesh Army will also join the operation against Kuki Chin and other militant outfits," he added.

Kamal said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Special Branch Chief Md Monirul Islam and other high officials are now in Bandarban to look into the matter seriously.