Govt to go tough on KNF
Home boss leaves door open for talks; ministers make conflicting statements
Amid widespread fear in the hills of Bandarban following last week's bank robberies and attacks on security personnel, the government has said it will be tough on the regional armed group Kuki-Chin National Front.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said the army was given a detailed outline to lead a combined operation against the outfit better known as KNF.
"The state cannot remain silent on the matter. We will not tolerate armed extortionists on our land," he told reporters after attending a meeting with security and law enforcement officials at the Bandarban Circuit House.
"They committed heinous crimes... They are the enemy of the state," he said.
"KNF is robbing banks and carrying out other terrorist activities with the help of terrorists from a neighbouring country."
The armed criminals wearing uniform and holding firearms carried out the recent attacks to let people know about their presence, he added.
He, however, left the door open for peace talks with KNF.
Last week's violent attacks happened as a Peace Committee led by Bandarban Zila Parishad Chairman Kyaw Shwe Hla was in talks with KNF members.
Referring to this, the minister said, "We were in discussion. The zila parishad chairman spoke with them and was considering what to do about their demands. But instead of going to the discussion with the peace committee, they have done this."
Replying to a question, he said, "If the people of this area think the peace committee should continue its efforts, the discussions will continue. It is for the people of the hills to decide."
"We don't think anyone from other side of the border will give backing to this separatist and terrorist group [KNF]."
Sources who attended the closed-door meeting said the minister told the security forces to ensure peace and law and order at any cost in Bandarban.
He ordered the deployment of more police, Rab and Ansar members and asked the BGB to tighten security at borders with India's Mizoram, a source said.
MINISTERS MAKE CONFLICTING STATEMENTS
Two ministers expressed opposing views when asked if KNF members were backed by armed groups from across the border.
Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader said he did not believe Kuki-Chin received backing from groups in neighbouring countries.
"Who would back such a small group? They might have done this out of grievances," he told reporters at the secretariat around 11:30am.
"I don't know whether they have any connection in Mizoram. But there are many Bawm people there. We don't think anyone from across the border would back this separatist and terrorist group."
In Chattogram around 12:00pm, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said, "KNF is robbing banks and carrying out other terrorist activities with the help of terrorists from a neighbouring country."
He said there was information that firearms of terrorists of a neighbouring country were in possession of KNF members.
"The government is determined to eliminate them."
On April 2 night, a group of armed men broke into the Ruma upazila parishad office and snatched the firearms of security personnel before robbing Sonali Bank and abducting its manager. In less than 16 hours after that incident, groups of armed men robbed Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Thanchi, looting Tk 17.45 lakh.
Then on Thursday night, gunfights took place between police and an armed group that attacked Thanchi Police Station. Law enforcers say the attack and the three bank robberies were carried out by the KNF.
BANDARBAN STILL IN SHOCK
Residents of Ruma and Thanchi were still reeling from shock yesterday. Large numbers of armed security personnel were patrolling the mostly empty streets. Shops were open, but people did not leave their homes if they could help it.
In Ruma Bazar, Sukumar Mallik, owner of a clothing store, said, "What just happened here is unprecedented. It will be a while before normalcy returns to this area."
In the morning, Home Minister Asaduzzaman visited Ruma and said it would be investigated whether there was negligence on the part of officials during the robbery at Sonali Bank.
"We never imagined there would be such a volatile situation in Ruma… We will address this firmly. The law breakers will not be tolerated any longer."
The minister then travelled to Bandarban Circuit House and held a two-hour closed-door meeting with the state minister for CHT affairs, home secretary, inspector general of police, special branch chief, Chattogram divisional commissioner, and top bosses of BGB, Ansar-VDP, DGFI, and Bandarban administration.