Siam Sarower Jamil, Dhaka
DHAKA, BANGLADESH — Unidentified assailants shot six leaders and activists of United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), Bangladesh to death in Shonirbhar area of Khagrachari district sadar of Bangladesh early Saturday (August 18). Local Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahadat Hossain confirmed the matter to Kathmandu Tribune.
Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire at the central office of United People’s Democratic Front and adjacent areas at around 8:30 a.m. when people were gathering there to attend a rally to accord reception to four people who were abducted by the ‘masked force’ which the UPDF brand as blesses by the administration.
Among the victims three were identified as UPDF-backed Pahari Chhatra Parishad’s Khagrachari district unit president Tapan Chakma, its assistant secretary Elton Chakma and Democratic Youth Forum activist Palash Chakma, said Michael Chakma, an organizer of UPDF.
Sources at Khagrachari General Hospital also said they could identify the remaining three. They are health assistant of Mahalchair Jitayan Chakma who was passing by the area during the attack and two residents of Swanibhar area Rupam Chakma and Dheraj Chakma.
The UPDF leaders blamed their rivals for the attack and said three of the victims were activists of their front organizations.
Khagrachari police officer-in-charge Shahadat Hossain Tito said six people died in the attack and the injured were taken to the hospital.
Khagrachari General Hospital’s resident medical officer Nayanmay Tripura said five of the victims were brought dead at the hospital and another one died after admission. Three of severely injured people were referred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
The local member of parliament Kujendralal Tripura, deputy commissioner Shahidul Islam and superintendent of police Ali Ahad visited victims at the hospital.
