Mohiuddin Jewel, Chattogram
Peace and stability in the three districts of Chattogram Hill Tracts -- Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban are being threatened by the extortionists.
In addition, stockpile of illegal weapons by regional groups is increasing posing a threat to peaceful living atmosphere for the Bangla speaking hill people in the region.
The main sources of income of the terrorists groups are kidnapping, hostage ransom and regular extortion. If anyone fails to pay the ransom, the hostages have to lose their lives.
The members of these armed groups have been carrying out their business years after years in different areas of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban districts.
According to local sources, the four parties fighting for dominance in the hills are- Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS-Santu Larma), Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS-Manabendra Larma), United People's Democratic Front (UPDF-Prasit) and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF- Democratic).
The armed groups in the three hill districts possess light and heavy weapons. All the Bangalee citizens have been held hostage by them for a long time.
Members of the security forces have been threatened at various times by the armed groups in deep jungles and remote mountainous areas.
Armed terrorist groups hiding in the mountains, collect weapons from India, Myanmar and international arms smugglers.
The hill groups have huge stockpiles of heavy weapons such as mortars, rocket launchers, LMGs, SMGs, AK-47s, sniper rifles, hand grenades, local and foreign guns, and rifles.
In the last six years, law enforcement agencies recovered 561 different types of weapons and ammunition from the terrorists in the mountains.
Mizanur Rahman, a retired government officer in Bandarban told Bangladesh Post that dominance for extortion continues unabetted in the hill regions. Local employees have to pay a certain amount of their salary.
Meanwhile, cultivation of food grain is being stopped in some places of the hills due to extortion.
Terrorists detained food grains-laden trucks at Dighinala, Mahalchhari, Panchhari and Langadu, Baghaichhari food warehouses in Khagrachhari for several weeks due to non-payment of voluntary dues.
When conacted, Abdur Rashid, General Secretary of Bangladesh Food Transport Contractors’ Association, said that they are worried and feel insecure due to the oppression of the hill terrorists.
``We have been assured by the district administration to bring and take food grain-laden vehicles under police guard. Yet the contractors are in panicked,`` he added.
Contacted, Pratap Chandra Biswas, Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner (DC), told Bangladesh Post that balanced development is not possible where there is fear and panic in the name of extortion.
``All those who will try to extort money in the hills will be resisted by administrations and legal action will be taken against the armed terrorists,`` the DC added.
Khagrachhari District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abdul Aziz said that nobody has the opportunity to continue terrorist activities or extortion by holding people hostage.
``Legal action will be taken against those who will carry out illegal activities including domination, extortion, kidnapping, murder and forced disappearance in the hills,`` the DC further said.
