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RANGAMATI: A gunfight lasting about an hour broke out between two regional political organisations, the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), in the Kalabunia area of Sajek Union under Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati on Saturday.
The exchange of gunfire took place intermittently between noon and 1:00pm, said Tawfazzal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sajek Police Station. No casualties have been reported so far.
According to the police, the incident involved the UPDF (Main), led by Prasit Khisa, and the PCJSS faction led by Santu Larma.
The OC said police had received reports of intermittent firing between the two groups in Kalabunia. However, the location is in a remote area about 20 kilometres from the police station, making it difficult to gather detailed information immediately.
Sajib Chakma, information and publicity secretary of the PCJSS, said he had not received any report of gunfire. He denied the involvement of his organisation in such clashes.
However, he alleged that the UPDF was backing road blockades and conducting armed demonstrations in some areas of Sajek. He said local residents believed these activities were intended to put pressure on people and prepare for attacks on supporters of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
Attempts to contact UPDF spokesperson Angya Marma by phone for comment were unsuccessful.
The cause of the reported gunfight and whether anyone was injured remain unclear.