Hill Voice, 30 June 2024 Bandarban: It is alleged that a Bawm people was killed and, three Lusai and Mro people from indigenous community were detained by joint forces of Bangladesh government conducting an operation in the name of anti-Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) drive in Bandarban district recently. While the joint forces claimed the victims as the KNF members, they were innocent villagers, sources said quoting local people.

According to local sources, a group of 65 joint forces personnel led by Lt. Col. Sardar Zulkar Nain, PSC (Commander, 16 EB) from Baklaipara army camp in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban conducted the military operation in Simtlangpi Para on June 26, 2024. On that day, the joint forces surrounded the village at the wee hours of the night and shot dead one villager and arrested another one.

Reportedly, the person killed in the shooting was identified as Lalop Lian Bawm from Thangduai Para while arrestee was as Dana Mrow (24).

Although the joint forces and the police are labeling the victims as ‘KNF members’, they were ordinary villagers, locals claimed.

On the other hand, on June 27, 2024, a group of the Rapid Action Battalion arrested two more villagers belong to indigenous Lusai community from Bethani Para in Sualak Union of Bandarban Sadar Upazila. But the joint forces disclosed the detention on June 28.

The two detainees were Lal Bei Sai Lusai (42), son of- late Biat Lian Lusai and Dallian Lusai, son of-Bannun Lusai. It is learnt that both of them are from Farukpara village of Bandarban Sadar Upazila.

Lal Bei Sai Lusai was produced before the Bandarban Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court on June 29 and was sent to jail on the same day.

On the other hand, it is learnt that the arrested Dallian Lusai has still been kept in army custody in the Bandarban Sadar.

Various local sources claimed that both the arrested persons are ordinary villagers. However, Lal Bei Sai Lusai is said to be the sister-in-law of KNF’s self-proclaimed Major Lalsangrem Bawm.