Quader: Govt taking tough stance against armed groups in Bandarban

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said the government is taking a tough stance against armed activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region.

“Law enforcement agencies are conducting joint operations in this regard. Hopefully, the situation will calm down soon,” he said.

The minister made the comments while addressing an Iftar and Eid gifts distribution program organized by the party’s front Matsyajibi League at Rajdhani High School ground on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Friday morning.

"A small group has started some armed activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This group is not in Rangamati or Khagrachhari, they are only present in Bandarban. This armed activity of the group will not disturb the entire hill region,” Quader said.

Referring to BNP, the senior Awami League leader said their movements and attempts to thwart the election failed.

“They had said the government would not even last for five days. It has been three months now. They (BNP) have destroyed democracy and Sheikh Hasina has freed democracy,” the minister added. 

Earlier in the day, armed men reportedly attacked a checkpost in Alikadam upazila of Bandarban.

This follows incidents of robbery, abduction, and a clash between the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) and law enforcement in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas over recent days.

The latest incident reportedly took place in the 26 Mile area of Alikadam at around 12:30am.

Previously, over 100 men and women members of the KNF carried out an attack and opened fire in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on Thursday night.