Special Correspondent :
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has rescued the abducted Sonali bank manager after 48 hours of ordeal.
Nizam Uddin, the manager who was abducted by the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) during the robbery of the Ruma branch of Sonali Bank in Bandarban, was rescued from Bandarban around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of RAB’s law and media wing, confirmed the rescue of Nizam Uddin.
He told the media, “Nizam Uddin was rescued around 7:30 pm on Thursday. RAB mediated with KNF through various processes and rescued him. Now he is being taken to the local RAB camp in Bandarban.”
Earlier, the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an armed separatist faction, made a ransom demand of Tk 15 lakh for the release of Nizam Uddin, a Sonali Bank official abducted during a robbery late Tuesday night in Bandarban’s Ruma upazila.
The abduction has sparked significant concern and drawn widespread media attention after Nizam Uddin’s wife, Nazmul Nahar, a teacher at Bandarban Cantonment Public School and College, disclosed the kidnappers’ demand following a chilling phone call from the KNF.
In response to these tumultuous events, the government has decided to put a temporary halt to the ongoing peace negotiations with the KNF, indicating a serious setback in the efforts to establish tranquilly in the region.
Furthermore, in a move reflecting the severity of the security situation, all banking operations within the Ruma, Thanchi, and Roangchhari upazilas have been suspended indefinitely.
At a press briefing held in the Bandarban Zilla Parishad conference room, Chairman of the Parishad, Kyaw Shwe Hla, communicated a firm stance against the KNF.
He unequivocally said, “There would be no negotiations with the group until they release the abducted bank manager, return the stolen firearms and cash, and cease all criminal activities.”
The backdrop to these developments is a series of aggressive assaults on banks and security outposts in the secluded, mountainous border regions of Bandarban.
These incidents, occurring between Tuesday night and Wednesday, resulted in the theft of at least 12 firearms, 400 bullets, approximately Tk 17 lakh in cash, and the distressing abduction of the bank manager.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, in a declaration to the press at the secretariat, underscored the government’s commitment to taking decisive action against those implicated in the attacks and robbery.
Government suspends peace talks with Kuki-Chin.
Negotiations aimed at peace with the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an armed separatist faction, have been temporarily halted by authorities in Bandarban.
This development interrupts a process that had previously seen some progress towards reconciling differences and ending violence.
Kyaw Shwe, who leads the district peace committee, detailed previous efforts to bridge the gap between the government and the KNF.
He recounted that on May 29, 2023, a pivotal meeting was convened at the Arun Saraki Town Hall.
This assembly, attended by leaders from various ethnic backgrounds, aimed to chart a course for reintegrating KNF members back into society.
Subsequently, on June 9, an 18-member Peace Establishment Committee was inaugurated to further this cause, embarking on several dialogues to set the stage for direct negotiations based on mutual understanding.
The dialogue process bore fruit with two significant meetings on November 5, 2023, and March 5, 2024, culminating in the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding.
These agreements marked KNF’s commitment to halting armed actions and addressing other pertinent issues, signalling a hopeful pause in hostilities.
In parallel developments, the banking sector in Bandarban’s Thanchi upazila experienced disruptions, with operations at the Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank branches suspended since Wednesday.
Contrastingly, banking activities in Ruma and Roangchhari upazilas saw varied impacts, with Krishi Bank operating normally whereas Sonali Bank faced suspension.
This backdrop of halted peace talks and banking suspensions sets the scene for the alarming events of April 2, when KNF escalated its tactics.
During Taraweeh prayers, the group executed a bold raid on the Sonali Bank branch in Ruma, absconding with Tk 1.5 crore and kidnapping the branch manager.
This incident was part of a pattern, as similar raids targeted Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila.
All banking activities are closed in 3 Bandarban upazilas Activities of all banks, including the Sonali Bank, in Ruma, Thanchi, and Roangchhari upazilas of Bandarban have been closed for an indefinite period.
The additional general manager of the Bandarban Sadar branch of Sonali Bank, Osman Gani, confirmed this to the media Thursday morning.
The decision has been made considering overall security issues, he said.
Sonali Bank sources said that the depositors of different banks can withdraw money from the respective banks’ branches in the district of Sadar town.
Earlier, a gang of armed people attacked the Sonali Bank branch in Ruma Upazila to loot money from its vault around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
But they kidnapped the branch’s manager, Nizam Uddin, as they failed to loot the money.
