316 killed by armed groups in hill districts over five years: Home Minister

A total of 316 people have been killed in attacks by armed groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the past five years, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has told Parliament.

The minister disclosed the figures on Wednesday (November 11) while responding on behalf of the prime minister to a question from Manikganj-1 MP SA Jinnah Kabir during the question-answer session of the third day of the fourth session of Parliament.

In his question, the MP sought details of attacks, abductions, extortion, illegal arms use and assaults on members of the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.

In his reply, the Home Minister said 308 civilians and eight members of the security forces had been killed in armed group attacks over the past five years.

During the same period, 435 civilians and 55 security personnel were injured. Armed groups also carried out 97 attacks on security forces.

He further said armed groups had carried out 194 attacks on members of the Bengali community and 81 attacks on ethnic minority communities.

Additionally, there were 297 incidents of abduction, 471 incidents of forced extortion and 377 incidents involving the use of illegal firearms during the period.

Salahuddin said the special operation ‘Operation Uttaran’ by the armed forces was ongoing to maintain peace and order in the hill districts and curb terrorist activities.

He said the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and SRB had intensified regular patrols and intelligence activities to prevent criminal operations.

The government had adopted a strict policy against illegal arms holders, extortionists and terrorists, he added.

The minister also said local administrations were working round the clock to ensure the safety of residents in the hill districts.

Regular joint operations involving the Army, BGB, police and SRB were being conducted to dismantle the activities of both new and old regional armed groups and recover illegal firearms.

He added that coordinated forces also conducted special operations in remote hilly areas to destroy hideouts and training camps based on intelligence information. Helicopters were used when necessary, depending on the availability of Air Force support.