In Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban, ordinary Bam people living in Bandarban formed a human chain protesting against bank robbery, abduction and looting of 14 government arms by Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).
On Sunday (May 19) at 4:30 pm, this human chain was organized under the banner of 'Samana Bom Janaklu' at Bandarban Ujani Para Evangelical Christian Church premises.
Hundreds of children, women and men of Bam community participated in the human chain. They are standing in a human chain with various placards in their hands. Speakers in the human chain said that left society is a part of the country, they also have the right to live normally. KNF does not mean bomb, bomb does not mean KNF. Not all left citizens are involved in KNF activities. Real criminals should be brought to justice through proper investigation.
The speakers demanded the unconditional release of those who have been mass-arrested in the name of KNF.
Bom organization leader Ngun Chuwan Bom said, “We don't want conflict, we want to live in peace, harmony and freedom.” It is very sad that some KNF are arresting both men and women en masse. None of the children studying in schools, colleges and universities are able to go to educational institutions. Bam students are not able to participate in exams like government jobs and BCS.
Lal Pek Thar Bam called on the government to lift the ban imposed on daily necessities for all Bam communities and ensure immediate access to purchase.
The human chain ended by demanding exemplary punishment of the KNF members through an impartial and proper investigation and the unconditional release of the arrested innocents.
It is to be noted that on April 2 and 3 this year, KNF members attacked three branches of Sonali and Krishi Bank in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban and looted 14 weapons and 18 lakh taka. After this incident, joint forces operation led by the army started in three upazilas of Bandarban to suppress the activities of KNF. So far 5 members of KNF have been killed in the operation and 87 people including 25 women have been arrested and sent to jail in 9 cases related to Ruma and Thanchi bank robbery, weapons loot and kidnapping.