A leader of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF, Prasit) was killed in an armed clash with the Jono Sanghati Samiti (JSS, Santu) group in Khagrachari’s Panchhari area on the second day of fighting.
In a statement, the UPDF’s affiliate organization, the Democratic Youth Forum, confirmed that Khuku Chakma, a member of the organization’s district branch, was shot dead by the armed members of JSS (Santu) group.
According to the statement, Khuku Chakma was injured by gunfire in the Ugudochhari village of the 2nd number Chengy Union at around 3:00 PM on Sunday. The statement alleges that after the injury, JSS (Santu) group “executed” him by point-blank shooting.
Local police and authorities confirmed reports of clashes between the two groups, while UPDF spokesperson Ongya Marma denied reports of casualties on his side. He told Times of Bangladesh, “The reports circulating in the media about four UPDF deaths in the gunfight are completely baseless.”
Local sources in the hills have confirmed that, ahead of national elections, both the security forces and the pro-peace accord JSS (Santu) group have escalated operations to suppress the UPDF, which is opposed to the peace agreement.
The JSS (Santu) group launched a campaign in both Khagrachari’s Dighinala and Panchhari areas as part of their ongoing efforts. Despite JSS (Santu) group publicly distancing itself from such operations, there has been no official statement from them regarding the current offensive.
Following a recent statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) regarding an operation against UPDF in the hills of Rangamati, it has been reported that key leaders of the group have gone into hiding.
UPDF spokesperson Ongya Marma confirmed this development, acknowledging that leaders of the group have indeed been in hiding. He claims that they are facing similar repression from the current interim government, similar to the period under the previous regime.
In addition, several senior leaders of the UPDF have taken refuge outside the country, with party president Prasit Bikash Khisa and general secretary Rabishankar Chakma reportedly having moved to India’s Tripura state, and another leader, Samari Chakma, settling in Sydney, Australia.
In the past, the UPDF found political alignment with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. However, after the July uprising, their relationship with these two political parties has shifted dramatically.
Local sources confirm that UPDF has lost political backing from both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami due to their armed stance against the government agencies. Both parties have now refocused on their independent electoral politics.
The UPDF (Prasit) has long faced allegations of abductions, extortion, and violence, though the group has consistently denied such claims. In 2001, the UPDF gained international attention when it held three foreign national hostages in Naniarchor, Rangamati for a month.
The group also set a record for one of the largest kidnappings in the country, abducting nearly 70 villagers from Rangamati in a mass abduction several years ago. Most recently, the group made headlines during the interim government’s tenure when they abducted five hill students during the Chakma community’s ‘Bijhu’ festival in April.
Over the past two and a half decades, the UPDF (Prasit) and JSS (Santu) have been engaged in frequent ‘brotherly’ clashes, which have resulted in numerous casualties. The UPDF has faced multiple arrests of its operatives, often with arms and ammunition, during security operations.