Rangamati, Nov 28 (V7N) — One person has been killed and four others injured in an armed clash between two regional groups over territorial dominance in the remote Roishyabili area along the border of Kaukhali in Rangamati and Rangunia in Chattogram. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, according to local sources. The identities of the deceased and the injured could not be confirmed as of Wednesday night.

Kaukhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman Sohag said they received information that one person had been killed and four others wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Citing local residents, he stated that the clash erupted between armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and the Prasit faction of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF).

Local sources reported that although the area had long been under the control of the UPDF Prasit group, PCJSS (Santu Larma faction) had recently attempted to establish its dominance there. The territorial dispute is believed to have triggered the confrontation.

Witnesses said approximately 150 rounds of gunfire were exchanged during the clash, spreading panic throughout the surrounding villages. Due to the rugged and remote terrain, law enforcement officers were unable to reach the area immediately.

Residents and local administrative sources added that in the past week, a group of PCJSS members had taken position in the Mitingachhari and Roishyabili areas, traditionally controlled by the UPDF’s Prasit-led faction. On November 23, Ustaton Chakma—President of the Parbatya Chattogram Chhatra Janata Sangram Parishad and Chairman of Fatikchhari Union Parishad—expressed concern at a press briefing, alleging that an armed group of 35–40 PCJSS members equipped with modern weapons had set up positions in Ghaagra, Mitingachhari, and Roishyabili, creating fear among locals.

Three days after the briefing, the armed confrontation erupted. Residents reported intermittent gunshots beginning around 5 pm on Wednesday, prompting many to flee in fear. Panic spread across the nearby settlements as the exchange continued.

As of 10:30 pm Wednesday, OC Sohag said police had yet to verify the identities of the victims due to the difficult terrain. He added that legal action would follow once confirmation was possible. Efforts to contact representatives of both organizations remained unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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