Members of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an armed group operating in the hill regions of Bangladesh, have blocked all types of vehicular movement in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas in Bandarban on Sunday morning.
According to local sources, a lineman of a bus, Lupru Marma, 53, was going to Ruma Bazar from Sadarghat area at 7am. When he reached the Sangu College Para area, some armed KNF members attacked him, and held him hostage for half an hour.
Later, at around 7:30am, some motorcyclists were attacked and abducted from the Bogalake area.
At that time, the KNF members also snatched a mobile phone from a young man named Nusingthoai.
Shaimang Marma, president of Ruma Upazila Awami League and chairman of Ruma Sadar Union No 2, said members of the KNF are patrolling the streets of Ruma, threatening and beating people. “No buses and vehicles from Ruma to Bandarban are operating.”
Md Nurul Alam, general secretary of Bandarban-Rowangchhari-Ruma-Thanchi Transport Owners' Association, said no bus left Ruma and Thanchi stations since morning due to the KNF’s threats.
Md Shahjahan, officer-in-charge of Ruma police station, said: "I have heard that the bus service from Ruma to Bandarban has been suspended since morning. We will take legal action if any complaints are filed.”
In response, all internal roads within Ruma upazila, including the Ruma-Bandarban route, have been closed for any vehicular movement.
The KNF, comprising young male and female members of the Bom community, operates in the hills, and maintains close ties with like-minded groups in Mizoram, Manipur, Rakhine State and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
It aims to establish a separate state within Bangladesh with nine upazilas, namely Baghaichari, Barkal, Belaichari and Jurachari upazilas of Rangamati and Ruma, Thanchi, Lama, Alikadam and Rowangchhari upazilas of Bandarban.
Law enforcers say the KNF has repeatedly called on the international community to intervene in the implementation of the so-called Kuki-Chin State.
The KNF has also urged the government to fulfill its demands, threatening to go into armed conflict otherwise.
