Four killed in UPDF-JSS gunfight in Khagrachari, say police
PARBATTA NEWS DESK
At least four people have been killed in an armed clash between members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF–Prasit faction) and the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS–Santu faction) in Khagrachhari’s Dighinala upazila, according to police.
The gunfight broke out around 8:30pm on Friday in the remote Sindhu Karbaripara area of Naraichhari, said Md Jakaria, officer-in-charge of Dighinala Police Station.
He said a group of 40–45 armed men led by UPDF commander Biplob Chakma faced off with 35–40 men under JSS commander Joydev Chakma over establishing control in the area.
“Both sides opened heavy fire. Preliminary information suggests that four members of the UPDF’s armed wing, the People’s Liberation Army, were killed. Several others were injured,” said OC Jakaria.
Police have yet to confirm the names or identities of the deceased. The situation in the area is now under control, he added.
Meanwhile, UPDF district organiser Angya Marma denied that any such incident had taken place.
In a statement issued on Saturday, he said, “UPDF has no knowledge of such a gunfight. As a democratic party, UPDF does not have any armed wing named ‘People’s Liberation Army’. The claim is entirely baseless and fabricated.”
He also alleged that a “vested group” was behind the spread of false information to divert attention from ongoing protests over the alleged gang-rape of a Tripura teenager in Bhaibonchhara.
The UPDF was formed under Prasit Bikash Khisa in 1998 in opposition to the 1997 peace accord signed between the government and JSS, led by Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma (Santu Larma).
