Hill Voice, 1 April 2025, Special Correspondent: Recently, several sources have reported that several identified Bengali settler terrorists, on behalf of the army-backed terrorist organization Mog Party, are carrying out reckless extortion and terrorist activities in various areas and bazars in Rajasthali upazila of Rangamati district. It is reported that the general public of the area have become distressed and helpless.

It has been alleged that at least 12 to 15 identified Bengali settlers, including Shafiqul Islam, Saidul, Belal, Pranta Ghosh Roni, have divided themselves into different areas and are posing as representatives and extortion collector of the Mog Party, forcibly collecting money from the people of the area, beating up various people and threatening many.

Many victims allege that the local army are involved in such indiscriminate extortion and terrorist activities carried out by Bengali settlers on behalf of the Mog Party. They believe that the local army also receive a large share of the extortion.

It is worth noting that after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the local Jumma (Pahari) and Bengali mob destroyed the armed hideout of the Mog Party in the Bangalhalia area of Rajasthali. After that, the Mog Party cadres fled with their weapons after being chased by the mob. Some of them took shelter in the Bangalhalia Army Camp and some members fled towards the Dongnala area.

After a few days of silence, it was suddenly known that the chairman of the Bangalhalia Union Parishad, Adomong Marma, was kidnapped. Although the chairman was supposed to be released in exchange for 1 crore taka, Adomong chairman was later released for 70 lakh taka.

A few months ago, cadres of the Mog Party kidnapped a Bengali person while he was doing contracting work in the Gaindya area. It is known that he was not returned later. Although the relatives of the abducted in that incident sought help from the law enforcement agencies, no response was received. The law enforcement agencies did not take action in the incident.

Earlier, a Buddhist monk was kidnapped from a Buddhist monastery and killed in Gaindya. In addition, many local leaders and activists of the Jana Samhati Samiti were killed and driven out of the village by the Mog Party terrorists.

Recently, it has been learnt that after facing various kinds of pressure and raising various questions, the Mog Party terrorists have finally taken up position in the Powaitu Para area of Rajasthali and are carrying out extortion and terrorist activities. The Mog Party is extorting money from various areas including Rajasthali Bazar, No.5 Bazar, Bangalhalia Bazar, Raikhali Bazar and Lichu Bagan in Rangunia through some Bengali settler terrorists.

Locals said that the Mog Party are extorting money through 12 to 15 Bengali settlers including Shafiqul Islam, Saidul, Belal, Pranta Ghosh Roni, by taking positions near Naikyachara, Fultali, Motipara, Karigor Para and Dongchari Army Camp. If the people fail to pay the money, they are beaten up. Ordinary farmers and vegetable sellers are also being extorted.

It is learnt that these extortions are happening right under the nose of the administration. In addition, the members of the Mog Party are collecting information against the members of the Jana Samhati Samiti through some young Bengali settler boys by giving them money. Those Bengali settler boys are entering the hilly areas disguised as businessmen. Even though complaints have been filed against these people at the army camp, no effective action has been taken. Due to this, a kind of discomfort and panic prevails in the areas of Raikhali, Dongnala, Fultali, Karik Para, Bangalhalia, Shariatpur, 5 Number, Rajasthali and Naikyachara. The general public are fed up with the atrocities, lawlessness and extortion of those Bengali settlers including the Mog Party.

Some of the identified terrorists and extortionists are as follows:

One of the hired terrorists, extortionists and arms collectors of the Mog Party is Shafiqul Islam. His house is in 4 Number area of Bangalhalia in Rajasthali Upazila. It currently falls under Rajvila Union of Bandarban. His house is next to Mitu Member’s house. It is known that he also drives a truck. He travels around the hilly areas disguised as a businessman and also works as an information collector for the Mog Party and the army. He goes to Rajasthali, Bangalhalia, Motipara in Raikhali, Fultali, Rajvila and Kuhalong in Bandarban Sadar and collects information disguised as a businessman. He is accused of beating many innocent people and raping hill women. It is known that this Shafiqul always has 2 pistols with him. When the Mog Party members go on patrol with a group, this Shafiqul also joins them with weapons.

Another collector of the Mog Party, Saidul, lives in 2 Number area of Bangalhalia. Locals allege that he regularly collects money in the bazars of Fultali and Bangalhaliya with a pistol in his waistband. On the other hand, Belal, who works as a representative of the Mog Party, roams the hilly areas disguised as a timber trader, collects various information and extortion for the Mog Party and the army, and threatens various people.

It is worth noting that the Mog Party was formed by the then MP of Bandarban 300 constituency Bir Bahadur, Chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council Kwashwehla, and MP of Rangamati constituency Dipankar Talukder and former Chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council Aungshweprue Chowdhury to obstruct the movement for implementation of the CHT Accord and to attack the members and supporters of Jana Samhati Samiti. Since then, the Mog Party have been carrying out various terrorist activities, including extortion and killing and threatening members of the Jana Samhati Samiti with the support of the army.