A total of 316 people, including 308 civilians and eight security personnel, were killed in attacks by armed groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) over the past five years, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament on Wednesday.
During the same period, 490 people, including 435 civilians and 55 members of security forces, were injured in such attacks, he said.
The minister disclosed the figures while responding on behalf of the prime minister to a question from SA Jinnah Kabir, lawmaker for Manikganj-1, during the question-and-answer session on the third day of the fourth session of parliament.
The lawmaker sought information about attacks, abductions, extortion, illegal firearms use and assaults on members of the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
In his reply, Salahuddin said armed groups had carried out 97 attacks on security forces over the five-year period.
He added that members of the Bengali community had come under attack 194 times, while people from different ethnic communities were attacked 81 times.
The minister also reported 297 abductions, 471 incidents of forced extortion and 377 instances of illegal firearms use in the three hill districts during the period.
Operation Uttaran underway
Salahuddin said the armed forces’ special operation, ‘Operation Uttaran’, was continuing to maintain law and order in the region and contain the activities of armed groups.
He said the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and SRB had intensified regular patrols and intelligence activities to prevent criminal activities.
The government has adopted a strict approach towards illegal arms possession, extortion and terrorist activities in the region, he said, adding that cases were being filed under existing laws against those accused of specific offences.
The minister said local administrations were also working round the clock to ensure the security of residents in the hill districts.
He added that joint special operations involving the Army, BGB, police and SRB were being conducted regularly to dismantle the armed activities of both new and old regional groups and recover illegal firearms.
Based on intelligence information, joint forces also conduct operations in remote hilly areas to destroy the hideouts and training camps of armed groups, he said.
Helicopters are deployed when necessary, depending on the requirement and availability of support from the Bangladesh Air Force, the minister added.