Kaladan News

Dated: Wednesday, February 16, 2005

2 AK-47s with Bullets Seized at Chittagong Hill Tracts

Bandarban, Feb, 16: Bangladesh army seized two AK-47 rifles and 150 bullets from a hotel in the Bandarban Town of Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh on 12^th February 2005.

The army also arrested an indigenous man named Maung Tun Sein, a Bangladeshi, hailed from Raytha village, about 5 kilometers away from Bandarban town, and 10 others in this connection from said hotel, said a local ward member who is afraid to be named.

On information, an army troop in plain cloth led by Bandarban Sadar Zone Commander Lt. Col Iftekhar raided the hotel at about 8:30 pm, said a Bandarban army camp spokesman Major Humayun.

As the army encircled the hotel, two Burmese citizens who are thought to be the actual arms smugglers, managed to escape while the army arrested the said Maung Tun and ten others and seized the two rifles one is made of Russia and the later one is made of China, he more said.

According to army statement, one Kyaw Hla Aung and U Sui Chai--- a Burmese criminal gang---booked a room for Maung Tun in a hotel Pru to stay a few days, promising to give him taka ten thousand.

Three arms trades led by Nurul Islam, Chittagong also booked a room in the same hotel that day, said the aforesaid local ward member.

Whenever, the Bangladesh authority seized guns at Chittagong Hill Tracks (CHT), they deliberately accused the Burmese nationals who are living there, the local member further added,

For instance, all the men who were involved in the arms smuggling (buyers and sellers) are Bangladeshis. But, knowingly, Bangladesh authorities accused the Burmese nationals as arms smugglers. Though the said Nurul Islam is the local Bangladeshi businessman, but the “The Daily Star”, indirectly reported that the said Nurul Islam, who is resided in Chittagong, is the president of Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), said the local member disappointingly.##

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