Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday said Armed Police Battalion (APBn) will work in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to ensure security alongside preventing bloodshed and extortion.
"The APBn members will now work in abandoned camps of the Bangladesh Army and ensure security, stop bloodshed and extortion in the hills," he said while laying the foundation stone of three buildings for APBn in Rangamati as the chief guest.
Kamal further said that the government would take strict action against terrorism and extortionists not only in the hilly areas but also in entire Bangladesh, reports BSS.
He said that the APBn is a part of the police and they are highly trained.
"Under their leadership, action will be taken against terrorists and extortionists as well as to stop killings and bloodshed in the hill areas."
The minister said that the CHT was a potential region, as its cashew nuts got a nationwide reputation. "Some entrepreneurs started work to expand cashew nut cultivation in the hills. Hopefully, we will be successful."
He also hoped that the issues related to the implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord would be resolved through discussions.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants the region to be peaceful. We have discussed the matter with local leaders including Santu Larma,” he added.
Among others, CHT Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sin, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food Ministry Dipankar Talukder, lawmakers Kujendra Lal Tripura and Basanti Chakma, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed, and other top officials were present.
