Concerns grow over KNF uniform production in Chattogram
PARBATTA NEWS DESK
Authorities have expressed growing concern over the seizure of a large volume of uniforms allegedly produced for the banned armed group, the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), in Chattogram, Desh Rupantor reported.
According to the daily, between 3 and 27 May, police conducted three separate operations across two garment factories, a warehouse, and a residential building in the city. Five individuals were arrested, and 47,085 pieces of KNF-marked clothing were seized, along with 315 feet of uniform fabric.
The latest operation took place on 27 May at Noor Fashion & Garments in the DT Road area under Pahartali Police Station, where 12,500 pieces of suspected KNF clothing were recovered, Desh Rupantor said.
Factory owner Matiur Rahman, from Patgram in Lalmonirhat, was arrested and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act. On 30 May, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court granted a five-day remand for interrogation, the paper added.
During questioning, Matiur reportedly confessed that he and business partner Md Shahed had signed a Tk 5 million contract to produce uniforms for the KNF, Desh Rupantor quoted police sources as saying.
The report also stated that in April, Monghlasain Marma – identified as the buyer – and Mohammad Kamruzzaman, owner of Ringvo Garments in Bayezid, supplied materials including fabric, thread, zippers, Velcro, and buttons for the order.
The first breakthrough occurred on 2 May, when police arrested Md Suruzzaman from a building in Tayyabiya Housing Society. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcers recovered 315 feet of KNF-marked fabric. Suruzzaman, from Tangail, was remanded and later gave a confessional statement under Section 164, according to Desh Rupantor.
Senior officials of Chattogram Metropolitan Police have yet to make formal statements, but multiple sources confirmed to Desh Rupantor that the discoveries have raised serious concerns among law enforcement.
The daily noted that questions have emerged as to why KNF outsourced production to Chattogram – a commercial hub – rather than relying solely on its base in the hill tracts.
A senior police official, speaking anonymously, told Desh Rupantor: “KNF is expanding its network into urban centres like Dhaka and Chattogram to build logistical and financial support.”
The military has also taken the matter seriously. At a briefing on 26 May, military authorities said over 1,979 KNF members had been arrested in the past month, bringing the total to over 14,000, Desh Rupantor reported.
On the night of 26 May, 11,785 uniforms were seized from a warehouse in Noyahat, Bayezid. Earlier, on 17 May, detectives recovered 20,300 uniforms from Ringvo Apparels in the same area. Factory owner Shahedul Islam and suppliers Golam Azam and Niaz Haider were arrested and remanded, Desh Rupantor said.
The police allege the order originated from KNF member Monghlasain Marma, with a contract valued at around Tk 20 million.
Despite the scale, initial police silence led to speculation, but unofficial details later emerged, Desh Rupantor noted.
The report further highlighted that KNF has been involved in armed clashes with security forces in Bandarban’s Ruma, Rowangchhari, and Thanchi. The group faces allegations of extortion, arms trade, and ties with jihadist groups like Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.
According to Desh Rupantor, analysts believe KNF is rebuilding its logistics through urban networks and using Chattogram as a supply hub.
Retired Major Emdadul Islam, speaking to an international outlet and cited by Desh Rupantor, commented that KNF likely expanded due to early inattention but is now under more aggressive scrutiny following revelations of militant links.
