5 gunned down in brushfire in Rangamati

Five people were gunned down today and seven others shot as unknown assailants ambushed a microbus heading to the funeral of slain Naniarchar chairman in Rangamati.

The deceased and injured were leaders and members of Parbattya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samity's MN Larma faction, our Rangamati and Bandarban correspondents report.

Gunmen opened indiscriminate fire upon their microbus around 12:15pm killing three on the spot.

The deceased were identified as Tapon Jyoti Chakma, 50, alias Borma, president of UPDF (Democratic), Sujon Chakma, 28, general secretary of PCP Mohalchhari unit, Pronok Chakma, 23, and Robin Chakma, 30 members of JuboShamiti and their driver Md Sajit, 32.

Md Alamgir Kabir, superintendent of Rangamati district police, said the victims came under attack as they were going to attend the funeral of slain Naniarchar upazila Parishad chairman Shaktiman Chakma.

The injured have been admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, police said.

PCJSS Central Publicity Secretary Sajib Chakma said, “Over 300 supporters and leaders of PCJSS have been killed over internal feud in Chittagong Hill Tracts after Peace Accord, adding, “If the accord were fully implemented the conspirators would never get chance to create anarchy”.

“Around 280 leaders and activists of UPDF were killed over internal political feud in CHT after peace accord” said Michael Chakma, a spokesperson for UPDF.“We also want unity in CHT.”

“We lost around 12 activists and leader of our group PCJSS (faction) after 2007” said Sudha Khar Tripura, spokesperson of PCJSS faction group.

Goutam Dewan, president of CHT Nagorik Committee, said: “Such types of endless killings will never bring good result in CHT and we would not let it continue any longer therefore, CHT people must be aware of the issue for restoring peace in hills”.

Shaktimaan Chakma, the vice president of Parbattya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samity's MN Larma faction, was killed in a gun attack yesterday morning.

The chairman’s funeral took place at Naniarchar around 12:30pm today.