Two groups exchange fire on Rangamati-Bandarban border

A gunfight occurred between two armed gangs in the remote hilly border area of Rangamati and Bandarban district yesterday (March 22).

Local journalists said three persons were killed in the gunfight but The Daily Star could verify the report of deaths independently.

Police and other intelligence unit confirmed the gunfight but they did not find any bodies from the spot till filing this report today.

Police said the gunfight took place between the members of "Mog Liberation Party (MLP) and another armed group of the hilly area in the border of Rangamati's Kichipara under Rajesthali upazila and Bandarban's Noapara area under Rajbila upazila.

Confirming the gunfight Rangamati Distric Police's Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operation) Mahmuda Begum told The Daily Star that "Locals heard gunshots between around 10am and 11am yesterday morning and informed the law enforcers."

"As the place, Rajbila, is located in remote area, police moved there with Army personnel but found the area under the jurisdiction of Bandarban district. Later, we informed Bandarban Sadar circle in this regard," she said.

"Our police did not find any body there that time," she added.

However, Jerin Akhter, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bandarban, told The Daily Star "The place where the gunfight took place is under the jurisdiction of Rangamati's Rajesthali upazila."

"Hearing the gunfight incident, our team also moved but after learning the Jurisdiction matter, we came back," Jerin added.

Ubach Marma, upazila chairman of Rajeshthali, said "The incident took place from around three kilometres off Kechipara. Local told us they heard gunshots but we don't know details."