[🇧🇩-Land] Bangladesh Army VS Kuki Chin

[Saif]

Govt must view Bandarban events politically, diplomatically

THE attacks on banks and security facilities in remote Bandarban between April 2 night and April 3 afternoon that the home affairs...

www.newagebd.net

Govt must view Bandarban events politically, diplomatically
Published: 00:00, Apr 05,2024

THE attacks on banks and security facilities in remote Bandarban between April 2 night and April 3 afternoon that the home affairs minister suspects Kuki-Chin National Front operatives to have carried out are highly surprising. They are so not only because the incidents appear to be 'a new phenomenon' but also because there was no resistance when the armed ethnic group carried out the attack at Thanchi in day light amidst heavy deployment of security and law enforcement personnel in the area. The armed group attacked two Sonali Bank branches at Ruma and Thanchi and a Krishi Bank branch at Thanchi — looted 12 firearms, 400 bullets and Tk 1.7 million in cash and abducted the manager of the Sonali Bank branch at Ruma. More than a hundred operatives of the armed group attacked the Ruma bank branch at night and the Thanchi bank branches an hour after the noon the next day. A local government official is reported to have said that the group had held the manager of the bank branch to a ransom of Tk 1 million. The events that took everyone by surprise warrant that the government should find out the people involved in the attacks.

But it appears that there is more to the events than meets the eye. And, it is political aspects rather than mere criminal issues. The Kuki-Chin National Front have been around the corner for long and the home affairs ministry initiated peace talks with the group after several army personnel, civilians and members of the armed group died and became wounded in clashes in 2022 and 2023. A government delegation held dialogues with the group in November 2023 and March 2024 at Ruma after a series of virtual meetings spanning the preceding months. Yet, general people are largely in the dark about the group and its political objectives that have supposedly prompted the government to hold meetings and dialogues. The government should, therefore, make a public statement in clear terms about the political objectives of the group and its activities. Besides, the attacks now, while peace dialogues are still under way, mean that there are political messages that the group wants to get through. The attacks at such a time also suggest that the group has defied the government and broken out of the peace process, at least for the time being. The government should look into this aspect, too, with the required earnestness. The incidents of rampant murder, abduction and rights violation that have happened in deep forests of Thanchi, Ruma and Rowangchari in the district spanning more than a couple of years also leave the government with looking into the events politically, diplomatically and militarily and to deal with them accordingly. What the government is further left with is to look into the allegations of international quarters having been involved in such incidents in the area. And, if it so happens, the foreign countries must be clearly identified and spoke to at the diplomatic level.

The government, therefore, has several issues to attend to in this connection. While it must find out the people who carried out the attacks, it must also make a public statement about the armed group and its political objectives. It must get the message that the group wants to get through and look into the events politically, diplomatically and militarily to head off any security risks.​

 

[Saif]

Who are Kuki-Chin armies in the CHT?

Breaking News, International News & Multimedia

thedailynewnation.com

Who are Kuki-Chin armies in the CHT?
6 Apr 2024, 12:00 am0

Staff Reporter :

Members of the militant group Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) are suspected of being involved in three bank heists in Bandarban within a span of just 16 hours, according to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

In a statement made on Thursday, he expressed his concerns regarding the incidents. Additionally, on Friday, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Commander Khandaker Al Moin attributed the three bank robberies in Bandarban to the Kuki-Chin National Front, also known as the Bawm Party, suggesting these acts were demonstrations of their strength.

The KNA serves as the armed division of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), a prohibited separatist organization operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) that advocates for the region's independence.

The KNF, established in 2017, envisions creating a separate state within Bangladesh, encompassing nine upazilas: Baghaichari, Barkal, Belaichari, and Jurachari in the Rangamati hill district, along with Ruma, Thanchi, Alikadam, and Rowangchhari in Bandarban.
Nathan Bawm, the founding president of the KNF, is a graduate of the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University.

He was actively involved with the Dhaka metropolitan branch and the central committee of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity's student wing, the Pahari Chhatra Parishad, and is also the founding president of the Kuki-Chin National Development Organization.

The spotlight turned to the KNA in May of the previous year following the death of two Bangladesh Army soldiers in attacks believed to be executed by this group in Bandarban.

The Army has implicated the KNF in providing militant training in exchange for financial compensation. In October 2022, it was uncovered that the KNF had been training members of a newly formed militant faction named Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.

The Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, who share a common tribal identity under various names, reside in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, straddling the border region among these nations.

This ethnic armed organization is actively pursuing political and military strategies to establish an independent entity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, an area that includes most of Bandarban and Rangamati districts.​

 

[Saif]

Army leading joint operation against KNF

In the wake of recent bank robberies, abduction and attacks on security personnel, Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed yesterday said a coordinated operation had been launched in Bandarban against regional armed group Kuki-Chin National Front.

www.thedailystar.net

Army leading joint operation against KNF
Rab arrests 'key KNF leader'

Photo: Mong Sing Hai Marma

In the wake of recent bank robberies, abduction and attacks on security personnel, Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed yesterday said a coordinated operation had been launched in Bandarban against regional armed group Kuki-Chin National Front.

"The intelligence agencies, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rab, police, Ansar and army are doing what they should do in their respective fields. The approach is holistic. Bangladesh Army is leading the operation… The operation will continue until the terrorists are eliminated," he told reporters at Bandarban Cantonment.

Several suspects have been arrested and two firearms recovered, the army chief told reporters in Bandarban.
"We are not declaring a war against any group. We are moving strategically. Whether or not there will be direct confrontation will depend on the situation. The criminals have left their firearms [somewhere] and mingled with the common people."

Cheusim Bawm

Meanwhile, Rab arrested Cheusim Bawm, one of the chief coordinators of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) central committee, on Saturday night, said Rab-15 Commanding Officer Lt Col HM Sajjad Hossain.

The joint forces surrounded Sharanpara area in Bandarban Sadar before Rab raided Cheusim's house and found him hiding in a locked cupboard, he told reporters at Bandarban Zilla Parishad office.
​

"The intelligence agencies, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rab, police, Ansar and army are doing what they should do in their respective fields. The approach is holisti​

— Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed​

An airgun was recovered from the house, he added.

Cheusim, a relative of KNF Chief Nathan Bawm, is a founding member of KNF, he said.

He used to coordinate between the KNF leadership and militant leader Shamim Mahfuz of Jamaatul Ansar Fil Indal Sharqiya, Lt Col Sajjad said.

A contract between KNF and the militant organisation was signed at his house, said the officer.

On April 2 night, a group of armed men broke into the Ruma upazila parishad office and snatched the firearms from security personnel before robbing Sonali Bank and abducting its manager. In less than 16 hours after the incident, groups of armed men robbed Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Thanchi.

Then on April 4, gunfights took place between police and an armed group that attacked Thanchi Police Station. The government says the attack and the three bank robberies were carried out by the KNF.

Members of the Armed Police Battalion stand guard outside the Ruma Upazila Parishad office in Bandarban. Armed men attacked the facility on the night of April 2 and snatched the firearms from security personnel. Law enforcers and security forces members patrolled the streets in the district yesterday. Photo: Mong Sing Hai Marma

The KNF, thought to be formed by people from the Bawm community in Bandarban, emerged in 2022.

KNF's media and intelligence wing chief known as Colonel Solomon wrote on the group's verified Facebook page on Friday that KNF launched the attacks because a committee to restore peace in the region violated an agreement signed between KNF and the committee.

The army chief arrived in Bandarban yesterday morning and coordinated the activities related to the operation against KNF.

He said the army last year took control of the KNF bases and drove its members away.

But they took advantage of the peace talks and engaged in criminal activities, he said.

"We will deal with the situation as per the government's strategies," he said.

Whatever is required for the country's sovereignty and people's peace must be done, he said, adding that the operation will be conducted with utmost caution so that common people do not suffer.

Meanwhile, the peace committee yesterday issued a statement urging KNF members to lay their weapons down and return to normal life.

The bank robberies in Ramu and Thanchi and attacks on security personnel by KNF members shocked the entire country, it said.

Fear and apprehension were still prevailing among locals in Ruma, Thanchi, and Rowangchhari upazilas yesterday.​

 

[Saif]

One of the main coordinators of KNF arrested in Bandarban

 

[Saif]

KNF gets arms, support from other side of border

The strong influence of armed group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar and Mizoram and Manipur states of India has led to its creation in Bangladesh, said security analyst Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain.

www.thedailystar.net

KNF gets arms, support from other side of border

Says security analyst M Sakhawat Hossain

The strong influence of armed group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar and Mizoram and Manipur states of India has led to its creation in Bangladesh, said security analyst Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain.

"Kuki-Chin has a strong influence in these areas. In Chin state, the National Defence Force [NDF] is fighting against the Myanmar government. Most of the NDF members are Kuki-Chin. Many Kukis have also gone to Mizoram from here. Unrest has been created there over this issue also," theformer army official, who once served in the Chattogram Hill Tracts area, told The Daily Star.

"In Manipur, we see serious clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki. The movement and activities of the Kuki-Chin on the other side of the border led to the creation and activation of KNF here."

KNF gets arms and support from there, he said.

He said the CHT region is almost close to becoming a major drug route.

Drugs emerge at the scene of any armed unrest, he said, adding that the narcotics trade is basically a means to earn money to procure arms.

"They [Kuki-Chin] are now demanding autonomy for a large area in Bandarban. However, they are yet to mention the Kuki-Chin controlled areas on the other side of the border in this connection."

The distance between Ruma, Thanchi, and Alikadam is not insignificant. The recent attacks in these three upazilas within a short span of time indicate that KNF members divided themselves into several groups and carried out the attacks in a well-planned manner. Their show of strength indicates that they want to "turn the area into a battlefield", he observed.

He said KNF is reportedly trained by the Kachin Independent Army. He suggested tasking the Bangladesh Army with countering insurgency, as police and Rab are not trained enough on this.

Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab's legal and media wing, said they were yet to have any confirmed information about bank robberies and snatching of firearms by KNF on April 2-3 as they were yet to arrest any member of the armed group.

He, however, observed that there might be two motives behind KNF's criminal activities -- firstly, to collect funds, arms and ammo, and secondly, to show its supporters and rival groups in the hill tracts that it is a strong-armed group in the hills.

Meanwhile, KNF's media and intelligence wing chief, named Colonel Solomon, on the group's verified Facebook page on Friday said they launched the recent attacks as the peace committee violated the terms of the agreement signed between KNF and the committee.

WHO ARE KNF?

In early 2022, the name of the new armed group -- KNF -- came to light. It was learned that some people from the Bawm ethnic community in Bandarban formed the group.

The group came to the fore after it opened a Facebook page and demanded a separate state comprising nine upazilas of Bandarban and Rangamati.

The upazilas are Baghaichhari, Barkal, Jurachhari, and Bilaichhari of Rangamati, and Rowangchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, Lama, and Alikadam of Bandarban.

They claim that they represent six ethnic communities -- Bawm, Pankhowa, Lusai, Khyang, Mro, and Khumi.

The KNF, in several statements circulated on social media at the time, said that they had formed an armed group called the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA).

They also claimed that more than 100 members of their military wing migrated to Myanmar's Kachin province for guerrilla training three years ago.

A trained group returned to Bangladesh in 2021, and its members went into hiding in 2022.

Nathan Bawm of Aden Para of Bandarban's Ruma upazila is the head of this organisation.

A graduate of the Department of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, Nathan Bawm founded a non-governmental organisation called Kuki-Chin National Development Organisation (KNDO) in his area in 2008. In 2019, the name was changed to KNF, sources in the Bawm community said.

In October 2022, KNF grabbed media attention after law enforcers came up with mindboggling information that the group was providing combat training and operational tactics to the members of the newly emerged militant group Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya at KNF training camps in CHT.

The militant group's plan was to establish a caliphate in Bangladesh through armed struggle and, if necessary, carry out attacks on key installations and important personalities, said officials of Rab, which successfully launched crackdowns on the militant group and KNF.

To reach their goals, the group recruited young men from at least 19 districts, took them to the hills, and made them go through rigorous combat training provided by the KNF. Jama'atul Ansar has 55 members trained in the use of firearms including assault rifles, officials said.

In the wake of such information, law enforcement agencies launched a series of operations in which dozens of militants and around 20 KNF members were arrested with firearms. Many of those KNF members are still behind bars.

According to media reports, five members of joint forces, including a DGFI official, were killed during the operations last year. Several KNF members were also killed.

A peace establishment committee was formed on May 29 last year, with Bandarban Hill District Council Chairman Kyaw Swe Hla as its convenor, to bring the KNF members back to normal life.

KNF held several meetings, both online and in-person, with the committee. Two memorandum of understandings were also signed in the two rounds of meetings held on November 5 and March 5 last year. The KNF had promised to stop all kinds of criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, and looting.

But breaking the promise, armed members of KNF stormed Sonali and Krishi banks in Ruma and Thanchi last week and kidnapped banker Nezam Uddin. The armed group looted 14 firearms from the police and Ansar personnel.

KNF also launched a gun attack on a police outpost in Thanchi on Thursday night. Police and KNF members traded around 700 bullets during the hour-long fight starting at 8:30pm.

Besides, they created terror in the area by extorting, looting, and torturing innocent people at different times.

M Sakhawat Hossain said, "Peace talks with armed groups only serve to strengthen those organisations.

"Peace talks with such groups mean you are giving them recognition. This gives them the opportunity to recruit more members. It also gives the hint that the government is giving importance to them," he told The Daily Star.

Last year, KNF attacked ordinary people, construction workers, and a Buddhist temple during a Prabarana programme. It also clashed with another armed group in the hills, UPDF-Ganotantrik, and even tried to blow up a bridge. At least 12 people were killed and five wounded in the attacks and clashes.

According to leaders of the Bawm community, KNF initially had 300 armed members. During a joint operation by security forces last year, many village youths fled to the forest. Many of them later joined the KNF, willingly or unwillingly. Now the group may have about 700 members.​

 

[Saif]

53 KNF members detained during operations in Bandarban

Members of the Bangladesh army and police in Bandarban have detained 53 KNF members in two separate operations

www.thedailystar.net

53 KNF members detained during operations in Bandarban

Photo: Collected

Members of the Bangladesh army and police in Bandarban have detained 53 KNF members in two separate operations.

Among the detainees are 18 women. The operations also led to the arrest of Lalchiam Bom, assistant cashier of Sonali Bank in Ruma upazila, who is currently undergoing interrogation.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies carried seven firearms, ammunition, and KNF-related equipment during the operations.

The operation, conducted on Monday afternoon by army personnel, targeted several villages, including Bathel Para in Ruma upazila, where a cache of arms, ammunition, and equipment was discovered.

On Sunday night the operation by the police, resulted in the arrest of three KNF members at Reicha camp and the driver of the vehicle used in the robbery, apprehended from Thanchi.

Zone Commander of the army in Ruma upazila, Lt Col KM Arafat Amin confirmed the matter.

The detainees from the police operation were identified as Vannanun Moy Bom, Jemeniyu Bom, and Ame Lanchao Bom, residents of Simtlangpi Para in Ruma upazila, while the arrested driver was named Md Kofil Uddin Sagar, 28, from Thanchi.

Furthermore, Additional Superintendent of Police Raihan Kazemi revealed that 49 individuals from Ruma, three from Bandarban, and one from Thanchi were detained and sent to the Bandarban district headquarters for further processing.

Meanwhile, in response to the escalating situation, a joint combing operation led by the army has been initiated since Sunday night, covering Ruma, Rowangchhari, and Thanchi upazilas. The authorities have bolstered security measures by deploying four Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) from Dhaka and increasing the number of security personnel in the area.

The intensified security measures have caused disruptions in daily life, with the closure of banking and financial institutions and the suspension of vehicular movement in Ruma upazila. Markets are shuttering early, reflecting the prevailing tension in the affected upazilas.

The district administration has instructed hospitals to remain on high alert and prepare to provide prompt medical assistance to patients and the injured. The situation remains fluid as security forces continue their efforts to quell any potential threats posed by insurgent activities in the region.​

 

[Saif]

Decoding the motives of KNF’s recent escalation

Decoding the motives of KNF’s recent escalation

www.daily-sun.com

Decoding the motives of KNF's recent escalation
Mahabub Alam, Dhaka
Publish: Saturday, 06 April, 2024 00:00

Security experts speculated three possible reasons behind the sudden menace of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in the hills.

The first reason behind KNF's violence is showing its power to draw others' attention, the second is dreaming of victory for a separate state after seeing the favourable position of rebels in Myanmar, and the third is just to collect money to resolve their financial crisis, security experts and sources in the law enforcement and intelligence agencies told the Daily Sun.

There is another possible reason that somebody or a quarter does not want the separatist outfit members to return to normal life, said security experts.

Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, professor of international relations at Dhaka University, told the Daily Sun that maybe, the Kuki-Chin is showing their efficiency to draw others' attention to themselves.

Militancy has increased in Myanmar's Rakhine State and north-east India. Through the latest show of power, the organisation may get the work of giving training to other groups as it earlier trained a militant outfit's members, he said.

He also said the condition of Myanmar may encourage the KNF.

"I think that a solution should be found out at local, national and international levels. The crisis cannot be resolved by the army only if there are local political conflicts," he said. Echoing him, Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain told the Daily Sun that the favourable condition of rebels in Myanmar is definitely encouraging the KNF.

He said that it might get firearms from Rakhine, Chin State, Manipur and Mizoram.

"A small group is now demanding independence as it is getting help across the border," he said.

Sakhawat Hussain said police and Ansar have lack of training to combat such situations. Besides, there was a lack of intelligence information.
In addition, the experience of the army was not applied in this case, he added.

Crime expert and Dhaka University teacher Tawohidul Haque told the Daily Sun that the armed organisation provided training to their members; sometimes, they become active and sometimes they remain inactive.

He said, "The separatist organisation wants to dominate the hilly areas. Its latest menace might be for drawing fresh members. Maybe, it has followers on local levels.

"Besides, the favourable position of rebels in Myanmar may encourage them to fight for their victory for a separate state."

Tawohidul Haque urged the law enforcers to be more vigilant to eliminate the anti-state force.

On condition of anonymity, a senior officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) told the Daily Sun that the KNF did not gain much power. Currently, it needs money severely. That is why it has taken the path of robbery and kidnapping.

"They are using their existing members and firearms to generate finance so that they can survive," the officer said.

Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director (Legal and Media) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), also said that the members of the KNF might carry out heists in banks as they badly need money.

Another security expert, who wished not to be named, said that the security measures should be reshuffled. The Army should be given the responsibility of ensuring security in the hills as they have such training, which the police and RAB do not have.

Kuki-Chin through a Facebook post showed their existence about two years back. It declared a separate state with nine upazilas of two hilly districts and uploaded a map of their imaginary state.

According to the map, the state comprises Baghaichhari, Borkol, Juraichhari, Bilaichhari, Ruangchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, Alikadam and Lama areas.

The organisation came to the fore after some youths of Cumilla left their houses to join militancy.

The RAB discovered that the Kuki-Chin was providing training to the members of Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.

The separatist sat in meetings with the government and promised to quit the path of astray life. The next meeting between KNF and the government is scheduled to be held on 22 April.

However, the members of Kuki-Chin looted three branches of two banks in Ruma and Thanchi on Tuesday and Wednesday.

They abducted the manager of a bank branch and later released him after receiving ransom.

On Thursday night, they fired bullets at the security forces.​

 

[Saif]

Major (rtd) Hafiz thinks that the security forces of Bangladesh have lost their skills and professionalism. He urged the govt. to make efforts to raise the skills and professionalism of our security forces. He would like to see Bangladesh as a strong military power in the region.

 

[Saif]

BNP doubts if KNF issue a govt drama

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday doubted if the Kuki-Chin National Front issue was a drama of the government....

www.newagebd.net

BNP doubts if KNF issue a govt drama
Staff Correspondent | Published: 22:24, Apr 09,2024

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday doubted if the Kuki-Chin National Front issue was a drama of the government.

'The government once staged an IS [Islamic State] drama to intimidate people and now only the government can say whether it is staging a new drama over the KNF issue,' said BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan.

He made the statement while talking to journalists after a meeting with BNP religious affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal, who was recently released from jail.

He said that the government turned into authoritarian grabbing all powers.

'The government is now even searching the BNP inside the KNF with a binocular microscope,' he said.

The BNP believes in peaceful systematic politics, he said, adding, 'We want the people of the country to live with their own rights.'

The BNP is agitating for the restoration of the people's democratic rights and the rights to vote and freedom of speech, said the party leader.

In the past week KNF members reportedly robbed three branches of two state-run banks and carried out an attack on a police establishment in Bandarban and looted cash and arms.​

 

[Saif]

Dealing with terrorism in Bandarban

Already overwhelmed with incursions into border areas by Myanmar rebels as well as that country's Border Guard Police (BGP) personnel and members of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) in its south-eastern districts, Bangladesh is now facing a new threat from homegrown terrorists in the hill di

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Dealing with terrorism in Bandarban
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Apr 07, 2024 22:19
Updated :
Apr 08, 2024 22:00

Already overwhelmed with incursions into border areas by Myanmar rebels as well as that country's Border Guard Police (BGP) personnel and members of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) in its south-eastern districts, Bangladesh is now facing a new threat from homegrown terrorists in the hill district of Bandarban. Members of this so-called Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) recently unleashed a reign of terror in the Ruma and Thanchi areas by firing at the police station and conducting armed robbery in banks. They also kidnapped the manager of Sonali Bank, Ruma branch during the robbery and later released him, thanks to the quick action by the elite force, RAB. The government appears to have taken the matter with due seriousness and promised coordinated action by the members of the army, the border guard and the police to destroy the new terrorist outfit called KNF.

The objective of the attacks on police station and the act of robbery by the armed group was not purely one of money collection. Clearly, its aim was to declare its presence in the area through creating panic among the local population. Reports coming from Ruma and Thanchi areas testify to this. So, the terrorist outfit has to some extent succeeded in its primary objective of striking fear among the local population. Obviously, this does not speak well for the local administration. The way the armed group overpowered the Ansars and police force guarding the offices of the local administration and seized some 14 pieces of arms including a submachine gun from them, beat up banks officials at Ruma and Thanchi during the robberies has made people there panicky. Surprise is the hallmark of any terrorist attack and the job of those on guard at sensitive places such as banks, government offices and police stations is to be prepared for such attacks. But they were not, so far as the reports go. However, it is definitely reassuring for the local population that the home minister went to the places where the terrorist attacks took place and promised stern measures against the KNF terrorists.

It is indeed good news that the government has finally swung into action to combat terrorism in the areas infested by these elements. But the question is why such preparations were not taken from the government's side long before the situation came to a head? It is said that the so-called KNF group has not been created overnight and, according to some security experts, the group consists of members from ethnic groups, namely, Bom, Pangkhwa, Lusai, Khiang, Mro and Khumi. The very fact that members of all these very small ethnic groups could make a common cause with the armed group known as KNF is concerning. For the name of the group reflects that it has a political agenda. When something becomes a cause and a group begins to claim as such, then it is a serious issue and cannot be taken lightly. It is said that all the small ethnic groups who have reportedly sworn their allegiance to the KNF feel that they got short shrift from the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord reached in December, 1997. In fact, the majority ethnic minorities populating the Chittagong (CTG) Hill Tracts were Chakma and Marma. So, they became the main beneficiaries of the peace deal. Actually, the CHT peace accord was signed between the Bangladesh Government and the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), then an overwhelmingly Chakma-dominated insurgent group. Small wonder that other small groups of people living in the CHT districts who had their separate ethnicities and cultural identities were left out in the cold. That means, sometime somebody would begin to talk about them, their rights and so on and they will listen. Nathan Bom, from the Bom community, one of these marginalised ethnic groups of the CHT, is learnt have been leading the KNF. A disgruntled former Dhaka University student, who failed to land a good job or start a business after graduation, Nathan Bom, received training in armed insurgency from different places from across the border both in India and Myanmar and has finally formed this armed group called KNF. But however modest this person's background might be or whatever has led him to become an outlaw, frustration or otherwise, he and his organisation now pose a significant security threat to the country. KNF, definitely, has external connections and has sympathisers across the border. It is said that the Mizos of Mizoram, an Indian state bordering Bangladesh, are sympathetic to the Kuki-Chin people of Bangladesh and have even been calling for giving shelter to people from this ethnic group infiltrating into Mizoram. Their bond lies in their religious belief: Christianity. The Chakmas and Marma, on the other hand, are mainly Buddhists. These marginally small ethnic groups are mostly inhabitants of Ruma, Barkal, Baghaichhari, Roangchhari, Bilaichhari of Bandarban district. Notably, these areas are close to the Chin state of Myanmar and Mizoram in India. Unsurprisingly, these ethnic minority groups of Bangladesh have cross-border connections and Nathan Bom of KNF took advantage of these connections to grow into a security threat to Bangladesh. While addressing the KNF-led terrorist attacks in Bandarban, the government will be required to exercise caution so that the entire issue is not looked upon as a purely law and order problem. For the terrorism unleashed by KNF has its political dimension, too, because the terrorist outfit claims to be representing the aforementioned ethnic groups living in that locality.

Evidently, the government is aware of this caveat and would reach out to those marginalised communities that KNF says it represents and try to address their genuine grievances.​

 

[Saif]

KNF adviser sent to jail as joint drive continues

KNF adviser Lal Liyan Siyam Bawm was sent to jail on Wednesday taking to 55 the number of people sent to jail following their arrest in connection with attacks on banks and police installations that saw cash and arms looted in April 2–4...

www.newagebd.net

KNF adviser sent to jail as joint drive continues
Staff Correspondent | Published: 18:09, Apr 10,2024

A suspected stalwart of the Kuki-Chin National Front was sent to the jail on Wednesday as a joint drive against the armed national minority group continued.

Bandarban additional superintendent of police Abdul Karim said that KNF adviser Lal Liyan Siyam Bawm was arrested at Thanchi in Bandarban hill district in the joint drive on Tuesday and a Bandarban court sent him to jail on Wednesday, when he was produced before the court.

He said that with Lal Liyan Siyam Bawm, 55 people were sent to jail following their arrest in connection with attacks on banks and police installations at Ruma and Thanchi in Bandarban that saw cash and arms looted in April 2–4.

The police officer said that the joint drive would continue even on the Eid day.

Earlier between Sunday evening and Monday, the joint operation carried out by the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies arrested 49 suspected KNF members and supporters — 31 male and 18 female — and the police arrested five, including a driver who reportedly drove KNF armed people at Thanchi on April 3.

The Inter-Services Public Relations directorate on April 8 that they seized seven guns, 20 bullets, a laptop, a set of uniforms, and a pair of boots at Bethelpara of Ruma in the hill district.​

 

[Saif]

Three more held over Bandarban bank robberies

Three more people, including a woman, were arrested today in connection with the robberies at the Sonali Bank and the Krishi Bank of Bandarban's Thanchi upazila

www.thedailystar.net

Three more held over Bandarban bank robberies

Three more people, including a woman, were arrested today in connection with the robberies at the Sonali Bank and the Krishi Bank of Bandarban's Thanchi upazila.

The arrestees are Lal Ring Toyang Bawm, 20, Bhan Nuyam Bawm, 37, and Bhan Lal Thang Bawm, 45. They all are residents of Eden Para under Ruma union.

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Law enforcers arrested them during raids in different areas of Ruma upazila in the afternoon and produced them before a court.

The court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Najmul Hussain rejected their bail petitions and sent them to jail, said Biswajit Singha, general registrar's officer of the court.

According to the police, the three are suspected members of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), our Bandarban correspondent reports.

Bandarban's Additional Superintendent of Police Hussain Md Rayhan Kajemi said the arrestees are suspects in five cases filed in connection with the robberies.

So far, 58 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incidents.

According to a press release issued by Bandarban police, Tk 15-20 lakh was robbed from Sonali Bank and approximately 10 to 15 mobile phones were taken from bank officials, employees and customers. A total of Tk 3 lakh was taken from Krishi Bank, the press release added.

A group of armed men broke into Ruma upazila parishad compound and snatched firearms from security personnel before robbing Sonali Bank and abducting its manager on April 2 night. Less than 16 hours later, groups of armed men robbed Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Thanchi.​

 

[Vikings]

@Old School bhai ,even this Eilias Hussein ( one of the most anti Hasina guy, who called BCL members as goat theives lol) is indirectly supporting your claim ( from other thread)! @Bilal9 bhai, I think as a Bangladeshi perhaps you would like to watch this informative video too!

So if they aren't our enemy , then why still such drama for Hasina govt? That clearly means something is hidden! Wondering when many of our Bangladeshi brothers ( BNP) will understand it! 🤔





Ps - sorry Bengali only video!

 

[Malang]

Kuki is a famous tribe in India often involved with controversial activities. Is it the expansion of the same tribe In the other side of the border?

 

[Saif]

9 more 'KNF operatives' arrested with arms in Bandarban: ISPR

In response to the recent bank robberies, abduction and criminal activities in Bandarban district, the ongoing joint operation led by Bangladesh Army arrested nine more alleged operatives of the militant group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from a hilly remote area under Ruma upazila today

www.thedailystar.net

9 more 'KNF operatives' arrested with arms in Bandarban: ISPR

In response to the recent bank robberies, abduction and criminal activities in Bandarban district, the ongoing joint operation led by Bangladesh Army arrested nine more alleged operatives of the militant group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from a hilly remote area under Ruma upazila today.

Mine weapons and ammunition were also recovered during the drive, a press release from Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) said today.

On April 2, the separatist group kidnapped Bandarban's Ruma upazila branch Sonali Bank manager Md Nezam Uddin and tried to loot Tk 1.5 crore from the vault of the branch.

They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on the following day.

Later, senior officials of the home ministry, security forces, and administration visited the area.

So far, eight cases have been filed with Ruma and Thanchi police stations in connection with the incidents.

On April 7, the joint operation led by the army launched in the hilly district and arrested a good number of the KNF members, including its chief coordinator Cheusim Bawm since then.​