Police recover bodies of 2 brothers killed in Bandarban village clash

Police have recovered the bodies of two brothers in remote Ruma upazila of Bandarban, two days after they were killed in a clash between villagers.

The deceased were identified as Kyasi Mong Marma (30) and his brother Kyasi Thoai Marma (29), Abul Kashem Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Ruma Police Station, told The Daily Star.

They were killed in a clash between residents of Hla Ching Para under Remakri Prangsha union in the upazila on Tuesday, the OC said, adding that police recovered the bodies this morning.

"As the area is very remote, it took time for police to reach from upazila headquarters. We sent the bodies to Bandarban Sadar Hospital for autopsy at noon today," OC Abul Kashem also said.

"Filing of a case in this connection is underway," the police official added.  

Kyamu Hla Marma, younger brother of the dead, alleged that the villagers had attacked and beaten his siblings to death over a rumour.  

"At around 1:15pm on Tuesday, two villagers -- Kyanu Ching and his brother Ukya Hla -- locked in a quarrel with my brother Kyasi Thoai. At one stage, the villagers attacked my brothers following a rumour that they had killed Kyanu's father," Kyamu said.

"Later, the villagers took my brothers to a forest area near the village, and after around 15 minutes both my brothers were found dead," he added,

"In January this year, both deceased were sued in a case filed against them for allegedly cultivating poppy in the village," said Md Reza Sarwar, additional superintendent of police (Bandarban Sadar Circle).