Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 97 Mon. August 30, 2004  
   
Front Page


Myanmar rebel leader surrenders


Leader of the Democratic Party of Arakan, a rebel organisation of Myanmar, Ba Ong Mong and his family surrendered to the security forces in Tarachha in Roangchhari upazila Saturday.

Ba Ong Mong is a notorious criminal in Tarachha. He used to introduce himself as an indigenous man and collect tolls from the poor indigenous people and traders at gunpoint.

The Myanmar-based rebel group has been operating criminal activity in Tarachha, Betchhara and some other areas for some days, highly placed sources said.

Security forces conducted separate drives in Tarachha and Betchhara to nab the criminals yesterday morning. However, details of the operations could not be known until yesterday evening.

The activity of several Myanmar-based rebel groups has increased in different parts of the district. Locals on August 19 caught three people in the act of collecting toll. Cha Sai Nu Marma, U Cha Pru Marma and Sanu Pru Marma claimed they were indigenous people of Bandarban but could not prove their claim.

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) recovered eight rifles from Modok in Thanchi upazila the same day.