The Parbatya Chattogram Nagorik Parishad held a protest and human chain in Bandarban on Thursday morning, demanding an end to alleged extortion, abductions, disappearances and indiscriminate killings by active armed groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The group also called for overall law and order and public security in the hill region to be ensured. The programme was held in front of Bandarban Press Club.

Kazi Mujibur Rahman, chairman of the organisation's central committee, attended as chief guest. He said residents of the Chittagong Hill Tracts had long faced various forms of harassment, extortion and insecurity. According to him, extortion and terrorist activities by armed groups were disrupting the normal lives of people in the hills.

Rahman called for effective steps to stop such activities quickly and ensure the safety of people and their property. He also said the constitutional and legitimate rights of all hill residents must be guaranteed, and law enforcement agencies should take a stricter and more effective role against armed terrorist activities. District president Maulana Abul Kalam Azad chaired the gathering, attended by several local and central leaders.