Sonali Bank manager released as Tk15 lakh ransom paid to KNF

The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an insurgent outfit, has freed kidnapped Sonali Bank's Ruma branch manager Nizam Uddin after a Tk15 lakh ransom was paid, family members said.

The KNF handed him over to his family members -- brother Mizanur Rahman, wife Maisura Isfat and wife's elder sister Nishat Jahan -- in a remote area of Bandarban's Ruma upazila around 7:30pm Thursday (4 April).

The family members including Nizam were then taken to safety by a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) vehicle. Nizam was in RAB custody as of filing this report at 10:45pm. 

Ruma Upazila Nirbahi Officer Syed Mahbubul Haque said Nizam Uddin was in good health. Details in this regard will be disclosed later in a press briefing.

Meanwhile, a gunfight erupted in the hills near Thanchi Bazar in Bandarban. 

Md Rayhan Kazemi, additional superintendent of Bandarban Police, told TBS that over 100 armed individuals made another attempt to rob the Sonali Bank branch around 8pm.   

Law enforcers got engaged in a shootout with the attackers, and the exchange of fire was still ongoing, he told TBS around 10:30pm. 

On Tuesday night, armed men surrounded the mosque in Ruma Upazila Complex, where they kidnapped Nizam Uddin and attempted to rob the Sonali Bank branch, resulting in vandalism. 

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

On Thursday evening, Nizam Uddin's wife, Maisura Isfat, spoke with her husband over the phone during which the kidnappers demanded Tk15 lakh for his release, a family member of Nizam Uddin told TBS.

Sonali Bank's Deputy General Manager (Bandarban), Md Osman Gani then said that they are diligently following all procedures to rescue their colleague Nizam Uddin, with the administration being highly active. However, he declined to comment on the ransom payment.

Later, Sonali Bank authorities paid Tk15 lakh ransom to secure the release of the bank official. The family confirmed that the money was handed over directly to a KNF-appointed representative. 

"Soon after handing over the money, the KNF representative's phone number was found switched off," a family member of Nizam Uddin told TBS.

"However, later at around 6:45pm, another member of KNF contacted us. The KNF member told us that Nizam Uddin was offering his Maghrib prayers and that he will be freed soon."

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, in a Wednesday afternoon press briefing in Dhaka, blamed the KNF for the armed attacks on banks in Ruma and Thanchi. However, there has been no response from the KNF regarding the matter. 

Law enforcement agencies have yet to apprehend any suspects involved in the Ruma and Thanchi incidents. 

However, due to the situation, the Peace Establishment Committee, led by the chairman of Bandarban Zilla Parishad, cancelled the next meeting with the KNF. 

Thursday afternoon, Deputy Inspector General of Chattogram Range Police Noor-E-Alam Mina announced after visiting the looted banks in Thanchi upazila that a joint operation, led by the army, would be conducted to rescue the abducted bank official and address terrorism in the hills. 

He mentioned that the attacks on the two banks were for fundraising purposes and assured that the looted weapons would be recovered. Additionally, preparations are underway to file eight to nine cases, including charges related to bank money looting in Ruma and Thanchi and attacking the police.

Is the arrest of KNF chief's brother the motive?

There's speculation that the looting and kidnapping at two branches of Sonali Bank might be retaliation for the arrest of the brother of KNF chief, Nathan Lanchew Bom. 

Lal Juhom Bom, arrested in late 2022 on KNF-related charges, was previously a senior officer at the Rowangchhari Sonali Bank branch. 

Sonali Bank's Deputy General Manager (Bandarban) Md Osman Gani acknowledged Lal Juhom's employment but could not confirm his ties to KNF or any hostility towards the bank.

He also said that transactions have resumed in four of the seven Sonali Bank branches in Bandarban, but those in Ruma, Thanchi, and Rowangchhari remain suspended due to security concerns.