Local people in Ruma of Bandarban on Thursday called on Kuki National Front (KNF) militants to give up criminal activities and surrender in order to come back to normal life.
At a human chain, formed before the Ruma grocery market, local people under the banner of “Shantikami Rumabashi” or peace-loving citizens of Ruma also protested the criminal and terrorist activities by the KNF members.
In his remarks as chief guest, Bandarban Zilla Parishad Member Jewel Bom, said: “People in Ramu were living in peace until the KNF members arrived here. In order to maintain peace as before, all must unite against theKNF.”
Upazila Parishad Chairman Uhlaching Marma, present at the human chain, said that general people are now terror-struck after being trapped in firing between the army and KNF men. People have fled their homes, he claimed.
Speakers said that at least 146 people of 51 families made their way out of the area on hearing sounds of firing in the remote areas of Ramu during an ongoing drive by the law enforcers on Saturday.
All of them took shelter in Ruma Sadar Upazila.
Earlier on Saturday, a member of the armed separatist group was shot dead in a reported gunfight with personnel of the Bangladesh Army in Ruma.
The identity of the deceased could not be immediately known.
Tipped off, a team of the army conducted a drive at Arthapara and Baslang Para, said Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Ruma Police Station.
Becoming aware of the danger, the KNF men opened fire at the army, forcing the troops to fire back, according to the soldiers' account. One separatist was shot dead.
Later, police recovered the body of the KNF member from the spot in the morning.
A gun, ten bullets and different goods used by the criminal gang were seized from the place.
