The bodies of three young men shot dead in the Madhumangalpara area of Panchari on Monday remain unclaimed at the Khagrachari Sadar Hospital morgue. Despite efforts by the authorities, no relatives have yet come forward to identify or receive the deceased.
The victims have been identified as Padma Chakma, 18, Dhana Chakma, 18, and Real Chakma, 18. According to local sources, Padma and Dhana were residents of Rangamati, while Real was from Panchari Upazila.
Panchari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ferdous Wahid said police are coordinating with local representatives and dignitaries to locate the families of the deceased. He added that the bodies would be handed over once relatives are found; however, as of Tuesday afternoon, no one appeared.
If the families do not come forward to filing a case, the police will initiate legal proceedings as the plaintiff. Furthermore, if the bodies remain unclaimed, they will be buried through a charitable organisation as unidentified remains.
Local sources revealed that five youths were travelling in an auto-rickshaw from the Logang area towards Panchari Bazar. When they reached Madhumangalpara in Chengi Union, a group of armed assailants intercepted the vehicle and forced them out. The gunmen shot three of the youths dead on the spot and abducted the other two.
Following the incident, police recovered the three bodies along with 14 used cartridge shells, four live rounds, and two stray bullets from the scene. OC Ferdous Wahid confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the actual cause of the killings.
Initial police reports suggested that the victims were killed during a clash between two regional political groups: the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) and the Parbattya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS).
In a press release, the UPDF claimed that the five youths were former party members who had recently left the organisation, and their defection had sparked violent retaliation. However, no statement has been made by the Santu Larma-led JSS regarding these allegations.
