Intelligence agencies found out that the fight over establishing supremacy among four active groups was behind the recent unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The CHT has been plagued with unrest for the last 10 years.
Two recent incidents, abduction of two UPDF women leaders and the killing of UP Chairman Saktimaan Chakma, have created panic among local people. Besides, vehicular movement remained suspended on Rangmati-Khagrachhari road which is the only route to Malahchhari in Khagrachhari from Naniarchar.
A high official of an intelligence agency preferring anonymity told the Daily Observer on Saturday that establishing supremacy and collecting of extortion money was the main reasons for the conflict among the four groups.
The four groups which were once part of a single organisation called Chittagong Hill Tracts Jana Sanghati Samity, splintered into two groups, JSS, Jana Sanghati Samity, (MN Larma) and UPDF, United People's Democratic Front, sources said.
At least 18 people died in 5 months in conflict between the four active groups. The conflict has resulted in the death of six people in the last two days.
Alamgir Kabir. Superintendent of Police in Rangamati, said, "The government is serious about the armed activity and murders by local groups. We'll take measures according to the government directives."
Abdul Latif, Officer-in-Charge of Naniarchar Police Station, told this correspondent on Saturday that security has been beefed up in the upazila. Besides, the process of case filing is underway, said the OC.
The UPDF emerged in 1997, opposing the peace accord between the government and JSS led by Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma.
There has been little respite from the conflict despite the informal treaty made between the two groups in 2016. At least a thousand of leaders and activists have died in the conflicts between two groups since then.
In December 2017, JSS president Santu Larma had threatened that violence in the Hill Tracts would increase if the Peace Accord was not implemented on time.
UPDF activist Anal Bikash Chakma was shot dead on December 16, which UPDF attributed to its new faction. On January 3, Bishawrai Tanchanga, organizing secretary of Jubo League was shot and injured. The Jubo League said the JSS was responsible. Top UPDF leader Mithun Chakma was shot dead on January 3. UPDF had accused UPDF of the murder. Another UPDF activist Subhash Chakma was shot dead in Dighinala, Khagrachhari on February 21. UPDF activists Dilip Kumar Chakma was shot dead on February 17 while another activist, Natun Mani Chakma, was murdered on March 11.
At least three people were killed in attack and counter-attack between two groups on April 12. Another four activists of UPDF were killed in Naniarchar in Rangamati. Conflict between two fractions of UPDF led to the death of Surjo Bikash Chakma in Khagrachhari on April 16.
UPDF leader Sunil Bikash Tripura was killed in a shootout at Panchhari Upazila in Khagrachhari on April 22.
Rangamati Naniarchar Upazila Chairman and JSS (MN Larma) fraction leader Shaktimaan Chakma was shot dead in front his office, while another leader, Rupom Chakma, was shot and injured.
On May 4, at least 5 people were killed in an armed attack on their way to the funeral of Shaktimaan Chakma. The deceased included the top leaders of UPDF Democratic Tapan Jyoti Barma, Sujon Chakma, Setulal Chakma and their driver Sajib.
Shahdat Farazi Sakib general secretary of Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad said, "People of the hill areas have become hostages of terrorist organisations like JSS and UPDF.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Saturday said the government would find out the trouble makers in the Hill Tracts who are acting against peace.
"Those who are involved in the killing of upazila chairman and six others and want to destroy peace in the area will not be spared. They would be nabbed," he told journalists after the discussion on 'Gaurav 71', Book Unveiling and Freedom Fighters and Distinguished Personalities' Reception-2018 on the occasion of the 47th Anniversary of Independence at a function at Bangla Academy in the capital.
Addressing as chief guest, Kamal said, the law enforcers would find out all killers and trouble markers in the Hill Tracts.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed a contract for establishing peace in the hill areas. We have already implemented various points of the agreement, while some are under implementation." "The government would maintain peace in the area at any cost," he said, adding that people in the area are aware and they would never give militants and terrorists shelter.
