An activist of Santu Larma-led Parbattya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity (PCJSS) was shot dead by unknown armed assailants in Langdu upazila of Rangamati on Saturday. The deceased Karun Chakma, 45, son of Anil chakma, was a resident of the Tintila area near the upazila headquarters.
Police and local sources said Karun was walking home on Saturday morning in the Kathaltali area when several armed men ambushed him, leaving him seriously injured.
Locals rushed Karun to the Langdu Upazila Health Complex where he succumbed to his injuries. Eyewitnesses say the miscreants wore guerrilla uniform similar to those of the Army’s’, but all of them were indigenous people.
PCJSS central press secretary Sajeeb Chakma claimed that United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and JSS (reformist) were responsible for the killing of Karun, who was a Shanti Bahini veteran. He demanded exemplary punishment of the killers. Sajeeb also claimed that UPDF member and terrorist Tapan Jyoty Chakma alias Borma had led this attack.
When contacted, UPDF spokesperson Mikel Chakma denied the allegations and said this was PCJSS propaganda, which is completely bogus. He also said, UPDF has no political activity in that area.
Razaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Langudu Police Station, said police had sent Karun’s body to Rangamati Zila Hospital where an autopsy had been performed. Later his body had been handed over to his family members. Kiron chakma, Karun’s younger brother, had filed a case at the station without naming any suspects.
Following the incident, additional army and police were deployed in the key areas of Langudu.