Those arrested are being interrogated by police, Khagrachhari administration sources told this correspondent over telephone yesterday evening. But they declined to name the arrested people.

Bullet-hit PCP activist Shiplu Tripura is now under treatment at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital. UPDF, opposed to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord and PCP, supporter of the accord are at loggerheads, creating tension in the hills.

Protesting Sunday's incident, the PCP held a rally on the Shilpakala Academy premises in Rangamati town yesterday.

Presided over by PCP central committee president Uzzal Chakma, the rally was addressed by, among others, its leaders Bodhishattya Chakma and Asreen Cgakma.

They said the UPDF, backed by some vested quarters, are disturbing peace in the CHT. The people, irrespective of tribesmen and Bangalees want to live in peace and they will any move to create violence and tension.

They called upon all to thwart any anti-peace move by any quarter.

Sunday's firing incident followed abduction of seven UPDF activists from in front of Riveng Club in Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari district on Friday.

Police said earlier that Shiblu Chakma, 22, was shot in the thigh when UPDF activists opened fire on him when he was pasting posters on a roadside wall.

Tension mounted in Khagrachhari town as several incidents of clash took place between the supporters and opponents to the peace accord in the last few days.

Six activists from the parties were injured in a clash centring PCP founding anniversary celebrations on May 20.

Police patrol has been increased in Khagrachhari town to stave off violence, said SI Farooqe, duty officer at Khagrachhari Kotwali police station when contacted over phone Sunday evening.

On Saturday, PCP held a rally and brought out a procession in Khagrachhari town demanding rescue of their activists.