13 'kidnapped' Rangamati traders yet to be rescued
The 13 banana traders, allegedly kidnapped from Chilekdak area in Suvalong union under Barkal upazila of the district on Sunday evening, are yet to be traced out.
Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) blamed each other for the incident.
An armed gang picked up the 13 banana traders from their engine boat at Chilekdak when they were going from Bono Jogichhara Bazar under Jurachhari upazila to Rangamati town for selling banana, said Abdul Karim, officer in-charge (OC) of Barkal police station.
“As I have learnt from different sources, the UPDF men abducted the traders. They got angry with the traders for going to Rangamati district town instead of local Suvalong Bazar.
"On several occasions PCJSS and UPDF engaged in clashes over control of Suvalong Bazar. Three weeks ago, the PCJSS made an announcement, asking locals not to go to the market. Since then most people have been boycotting the bazar, much to the grievance of UPDF men," the OC said.
Joint forces comprising police, BGB and army are conducting drives to rescue the victims, he added.
Sajib Chakma, assistant information secretary of PCJSS central committee, said, "Our organisation did not make any announcement to prevent people from using Suvalong Bazar. Members of UPDF kidnapped the traders to serve their ill motive and create turmoil in the area. So far I know the UPDF imposed a so-called ban on Rangamati town bazar for public."
On the other hand, Michael Chakma, secretary of Gonotantrik Jubo Forum, a youths' body of UPDF, said, "We have no involvement with abducting the traders. The PCJSS, which hindered people from going to Suvalong Bazar, did the act."
The abductees are Ranger Chakma, Illo Chakma, Ujjalendu Chakma, Rupam Chakma, Moni Chakma, Sadhan Chakma, Kanti Chakma, Alen Chakma, Ajit Chakma, Amar Singh Chakma, Junel Chakma, Purno Bikash Chakma and Kanungo Chakma, police said.
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