Criminals shot dead a United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) member early yesterday in Dhameichara area of Bandhuk Vanga in Rangamati.

The deceased was identified as Anal Bikash Chakma, 40, organiser of UPDF Bandhuk Vanga union unit.

Officer-in-Charge Sattyajit Barua of Kotwali Police Station said police recovered the body from the spot and sent it for an autopsy.

A press release signed by Sentu Chakma, member secretary for Nobbo Mukosh Bahini Pratirodh Committee, called for a half-day blockade of roads and waterways in Rangamati on December 19 protesting the killing. It said the newly formed breakaway faction of UPDF, which calls itself “United Peoples Democratic Front (Democratic)” was behind the killing.

A former UP member, also a UPDF member, was shot dead in Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati on December 5. The UPDF had also blamed the United Peoples Democratic Front (Democratic) for that killing.