Home boss vows stern action on Bandarban crisis, probe into intelligence failure

Underscoring the urgency for decisive action, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said the government will take a hardline approach to address the terrorist activities prevailing in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

"Bandarban has always been known for its peaceful environment. We are determined to identify those who are instigating or assisting the armed activities in the CHT," he said following his visit to the site of a bank robbery in Ruma, Bandarban today.

He also said the government would thoroughly investigate any possible shortcomings within law enforcement or intelligence agencies.

In response to a query, the minister said that law enforcement agencies have already begun their investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Following the minister's visit, the presence of RAB, BGB, police, and army personnel was noted at different locations in Ruma upazila. Multiple RAB teams reportedly carried out raids on suspected terrorist hideouts in the hills.

During the visit, Asaduzzaman Khan inspected the Sonali Bank branch, mosque, and upazila parishad, as well as reviewed the bank's security system and obtained firsthand details of the incident, issuing directives for future actions.

The minister was accompanied by a delegation of 20 members from various law enforcement agencies including the Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar, and DGFI chief, along with local members of parliament.

Following his visit, Asaduzzaman Khan convened a meeting with government officials at the Bandarban Circuit House on how to alleviate concerns in the mountainous region and outlined future strategies.

A group of armed members of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) attacked the Upazila Parishad office, and later they stormed Sonali Bank's Ruma Branch in Bandarban and abducted its Manager Nizam Uddin on 2 April night. 

The following day, they targeted Thanchi Bazar, vandalising branches of Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank and looting Tk17.45 lakh from both banks' counters and bystanders, according to Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Mamun.

The kidnapped Sonali Bank's Ruma branch manager Nizam Uddin was released by KNF on 4 March after a Tk15 lakh ransom was paid.

Lingering fear in Bandarban

Locals said despite the heightened presence of law enforcement personnel, fear still persists across Bandarban. 

Mohammad Alamgir, who operates a tea shop at Ruma Upazila Parishad, told TBS that he has never witnessed such a situation before. Anxiety is widespread, leading to a lack of customers in his shop.

'Attacks in hilly areas won't affect tourism'

DIG Abu Kalam Siddique, chief of the Tourist Police, assured that the recent terrorist incidents in the mountainous region would not detrimentally impact Bangladesh's tourism sector.

"Our joint forces are conducting operations in the hilly areas. Security has been beefed up. These isolated incidents will not have any impact on the tourism sector," he told reporters after the inauguration ceremony of a zonal office of the Tourist Police in Ashulia's Jamgra area.