KNF members loot two more banks in Bandarban

Outlaws also took away over Tk 10m from Ramu branch of Sonali Bank, kidnapped manager Tuesday night

FE Team | Published: April 04, 2024 00:03:44

Nezam Uddin

Sixteen hours after a Sonali Bank branch was robbed in Bandarban's Ruma Upazila, armed robbers have attacked two more banks in Thanchi Upazila, report agencies.
Two vehicles full of armed men swarmed into the neighbouring branches of Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank in the Upazila around 12:30pm on Wednesday, said Krishi Bank Branch Manager Hla Sui Thwai.
"In the blink of an eye, they entered and took everyone inside the bank hostage. They corralled everyone into a room and locked the door."
The Krishi bank manager was unable to say whether they had looted money from the bank.
"We are not yet sure what they did inside the bank," he said. "We'll be able to say for sure once we look at everything."
The bank manager said that the neighbouring branch of Sonali Bank had also been attacked. However, bdnews24.com was unable to get a statement from officials at the bank.
"We have received reports that a bank in Thanchi was attacked a short while ago," said Bandarban Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Abdul Karim. "We believe the group from yesterday (Tuesday) is responsible. There have been no developments regarding the investigation into yesterday's (Tuesday's) incident."
More than 100 men took part in the attack on the Sonali Bank branch in Ruma Upazila's Sadar area around 9pm on Tuesday. At least 20 people, including officials and security personnel, were assaulted and the branch's Manager Nezam Uddin was kidnapped.
On the Ruma Sonali Bank robbery, acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Ruma M. Didarul Alam told BSS: "The KNF gang members broke the vault of the bank and took away all the money. They kidnapped its manager then."
"They also snatched four firearms from the security guards of the branch and on-duty Ansars. They also entered a nearby mosque and took the mobile phones and valuables of the Muslim devotees who were performing Taraweeh prayers there," he added.
More than 60-80 men took part in the attack. Several people, including officials and security personnel, were assaulted during the time, the UNO added.
Ever since the incident, police, Army and other law enforcement agencies launched search operations to nab the miscreants and rescue the abducted person.
However, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Wednesday that a group of militant outfit Kuki Chin was found involved in bank robberies at Ruma and Thanchi in Bandarban.
"Kuki Chin was involved in bank robbery and firearms looting. They also hit police constables, bank guards and ansars," he told journalists at his ministry office in Dhaka.
The minister, however, said that detailed information in this regard was yet to be available.
"First, they switched off the electricity substation and then started looting valuables and firearms. Later, they abducted local Sonali Bank manager when he was performing Tarabi Namaz," he said.
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that police and BGB were carrying out operations immediately after the incident.
"We will do everything whatever needed to bring the situation under control. Police and BGB have been carrying out their duties. If necessary, Bangladesh Army will also join the operation against Kuki Chin and other militant outfits," he added.
Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has warned that firm action would be taken against anyone involved in the bank robbery at Bandarban's Ruma Upazila.
The IGP went to the scene on Wednesday after the Tuesday night robbery.
He also went to the nearby mosque and spoke to bank officials and locals.
The chief of police told the media afterwards, "I came to Bandarban to learn more about the shocking events. We went to different locations. They attacked our people, they attacked the mosque, they attacked the Ansar camp. They then stole weapons."