UPDF-Democratic leader shot dead in Khagrachhari

A leader of the United People’s Democratic Front (Democratic) was shot dead by some assailants at Panchhari upazila in Khagrachhari.

The deceased, Niti Dutta Chakma, 45, who served as an upazila organiser of the group, was attacked around 9:00am in the Sutakarma Para area on Friday morning (March 27).

According to local sources, Niti Chakma was sitting at a shop when armed attackers approached and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene. He was rushed to Khagrachhari District Sadar Hospital, where on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Hospital authorities said he sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and had a fractured left arm. A post-mortem will determine the exact cause of death.

Ferdous Wahid, officer-in-charge (OC) of Panchhari Police Station, said police rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting and are working to maintain law and order.

Following the incident, UPDF (Democratic) central organiser Amar Chakma blamed the Prasit-led faction of the group for the killing.

However, district organiser Anga Marma denied the allegation, suggesting the incident may have stemmed from an internal dispute linked to a local fair.