Advocate Shaktiman Chakma, chairman of Naniarchar upazila parishad and vice-president of the Parbattya Chattagram Jana Shanghati Samity (PCJSS-Reformist-MN Larma group), was gunned down, allegedly by members of the rival faction (PCJSS-Santu group), in front of the parishad office yesterday. The incident took place while Shaktiman Chakma, accompanied by his associate Rupom Chakma, was going to the upazila parishad office around 11.45 am. On receiving news, police rushed to the spot, but the miscreants had fled by then.

Parishad officials and locals took the victims to the upazila health complex, but the doctor on duty declared Shatiman Chakma dead.

Rupom Chakma, organising secretary of the upazila unit, had been admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. Naniarchar Hospital authorities sent the victim’s body to the Rangamati Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.

Rangamati police super Alamgir Kabir confirmed the incident.

 Naniarchar police station officer-in-charge Abdul Latif told The Independent that some armed goons fired at Shaktiman Chakma and Rupom Chakma when they were going to the upazila parishad office. They slumpled to the ground after being hit by bullets.

A tense situation now prevails in Naniarchar upazila.  Abdul Latif, however, said the situation was under control. Additional forces have been kept ready in case the law and order situation deteriorates, he added.

UPDF spokesperson Niren Chakma issued a statement, denying the involvement of his party in this matter.

Locals said they had been hearing gunshots for the past couple of days in remote areas of different upazilas, including Naniarchar and Mohalchari.