UPDF man shot dead

An activist of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), a Chittagong Hill Tracts-based political party, was shot dead by unidentified miscreants in Karengatoli Bazar area of Baghaichhari upazila in Rangamati on Thursday.

The victim is Uday Bikash Chakma alias Chikkodhan Chakma, 45, an upazila coordinator of the UPDF.

UPDF leaders alleged that the Janasanhati Samity (MN Larma) men shot Bikash. But the Janasanhati Samity leaders rebutted the claim saying none of their men are involved in the incident.

“Armed activists of the Janasanhati Samity (MN Larma) men shot our activist to death. We condemn the incident and demand trial of the murder,” UPDF’s Baghaichhari unit chief Jewel Chakma told Prothom Alo.

But Janasanhati Samity (MN Larma) central assistant information and publicity secretary Prashanta Chakma rejected the claim. “There can be no question of our involvement in the incident. This could be the result of UPDF’s internal clashes.”

Police and witnesses said, a gang of eight-nine miscreants surrounded Bikash at a tea stall in Karengatoli Bazar and opened fire aiming him, leaving him dead on the spot around 11:00am.

Muhammad MA Monzurul Alam, officer-in-charge of Baghaichhari police station, confirmed about the death to Prothom Alo.

UNB added: Tension was prevailing in and around the area and additional members of the joint forces have been deployed.