UPDF men hurl 7 petrol bombs in Khagrachhari

Activists of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) hurled seven patrol bombs targeting police and vandalised a microbus during a half-day road blockade programme in Khagrachhari today.

Police had to fire at least nine bullets to disperse the protesters but none was hurt, reports our Khagrachhari correspondent.

The law enforcers picked up at least two people on charges of attacking police at different parts of the district including the main entrance of the Khagrachhari town, Khagrachhari Bus Station, Shanirbhar and Khabangpuria.

The anti-peace treaty organisation, UPDF, enforced the road blockade programme protesting setting up of an office of Border Gourd Bangladesh (BGB) at Babuchhara Bazar area in Sadar upazila.

Soon after the blockade programme began at 6:00am, the activists of UPDF put barricades at different parts of the town halting road communications in the area and also vandalised a microbus.

Hill Student Parishad, Democratic Youth Forum and Hill Women’s Federation also expressed their solidarity with the programme.

Mizanur Rahman, superintendent of police in Khagrachhari, told our correspondent that the overall situation is under control now.

Earlier on Tuesday, clashes between the locals and BGB men took place over acquiring a piece of land in Babuchara Bazar area for setting up an office of the BGB battalion.

Protesting the BGB attempt, the pro-UPDF hill people staged a rally in the district town on Wednesday.

They also announced the road blocked programme at the rally on that day.