16 new camps set up in Bandarban in the name of operations against KNF and Islamic militants

Hill Voice, 17 August 2024, Bandarban: 15 new temporary camps of Army and 1 camp of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been set up in Rowangchari, Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban district under the pretext of operations against Islamic militant and Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) known as Bawm Party.

According to local sources, the army started setting up these camps since 3 October 2022, when the operation by the army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) against armed Islamic militants known as ‘Jamatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya’ and militants shelter provider, the KNF, known as Bawm Party.

Most of the camps were then set up since an army-led operation against the KNF began following a bank robbery by the KNF in Ruma and Thanchi and the looting of 14 weapons of law-enforcement forces on 2-3 April 2024.

Assistant Information and Publicity Secretary of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) Sajib Chakma said, the establishment of new camps is a direct violation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997.

It should be noted that Kuki-Chin National Development Organization (KNDO) was formed in 2008 under the patronage of the army under the leadership of Nathan Loncheo Bawm and Vangchunlian Bawm. Later, with the help of the army, in 2019, it was renamed KNF and started operations as an armed group.

Since then KNF started providing shelter and military training to an Islamic militant organization called Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya in exchange for money. After this information came out, the government was forced to carry out operations against KNF and Islamic militants by the army and RAB under international pressure.

After the bank robbery and weapons looting by the KNF last April, the joint forces intensified operations against the KNF. under the pretext of this operation, Army established the following 16 camps including 1 camp of BGB.

The 16 camps set up are-

1. Ramju Pahar, Rawangchari Sadar UP, Rawangchari.

2. Debta Pahar, Rowanchari Sadar UP, Rowanchari.

3. Kata Pahar, Rowanchari Sadar UP, Rowanchari.

4. Mualpi Para, Paindu UP, Ruma.

5. Bethel Para, Ruma Sadar, Ruma.

6. Lairoonpi Para, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma.

7. Chaikhyong BGB Camp, Remakri Prangsa UP, Ruma.

8. Tamlau Para, Remakri Prangsa UP, Ruma.

9. Siloupi Para, Remakri Prangsa UP, Ruma.

10. Thaikhyong Para, Remakri Prangsa UP, Ruma.

11. Dulachan Para, Remakri, Thanchi.