UPDF member shot dead in Rangamati; two sisters injured

A member of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-Prasit) was shot dead while his two sisters were injured in a gun attack in Rangamati on Friday.
The incident occurred around 6:15am in the Kutukchhari Uparpara area in Kutukchhari union of Sadar upazila.
The deceased was identified as Dharmashing Chakma, 39, vice-president of the central committee of the Democratic Youth Forum, the youth wing of UPDF (Prosit). 
He was the son of the late Dhananjay Chakma of Ward No. 4 in the area.
The injured are his two sisters: Bhagyashova Chakma, 31, and Kripasona Chakma, 45. 
They were initially treated at Rangamati General Hospital and later referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for furhter treatment. 
UPDF Organiser and Spokesperson Angya Marma confirmed the incident and alleged that members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) were responsible for the attack.
Another UPDF organiser, requesting anonymity, said that a group of 17 to 20 armed men opened fire on Dharmashing Chakma while he was at his residence, leaving him dead on the spot after being hit in the chest and waist. His two sisters were also injured during the attack.
However, JSS leaders denied the allegation.
President of JSS Rangamati district unit, Ganga Manik Chakma, said, “We have no activities in that area. UPDF is spreading false information against us.”
Echoing the same, JSS central committee’s assistant information and publicity secretary, Sajib Chakma, said that none of their members were involved in the incident, adding that UPDF’s own activities have created multiple rival groups in the region.
Residential Medical Officer of Rangamati General Hospital Saikat Akbar said that the two injured women sustained bullet injuries in their hands and were sent to Chattogram for furhter treatment.
Officer-in-Charge of Rangamati Kotwali Police Station, Jasim Uddin, said that the police were heading to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting. 
Details will be known after investigation, he added.

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