In 2025, there were reports of abductions of civilians, including two incidents in Lama Upazila (Bandarban) in February 2025 where seven tobacco farmers, and 26 rubber workers were abducted. The rubber workers were held hostage by unknow perpetrators and were released for a ‘hefty ransom’.624 There were also reports of five students being abducted in Baghaichari, Rangamati, on 16 April 2025.625 They were released after one week.626 Some kidnappings of civilians were attributed to the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF),627 which the party denied.628 There is a history of inter-party violence and killings between the PCJSS and the UPDF in the CHT,629 and three UPDF members were reportedly shot dead in Khagrachhari, by a group of ‘miscreants’ on 30 October 2024,630 and another UDPF member was shot in Manikcchari, Rangamati, on 16 March 2025, allegedly by the PCJSS.631
- 624
Dhaka Tribune, 26 workers still held hostage in Bandarban after two days, 17 February 2025, url
- 625
Hill Voice, 5 CU students kidnapped by UPDF (Prasit) armed group, PCP condemns and demands release of abductees, 16 April 2025, url
- 626
Dhaka Tribune, Five CU students freed a week after abduction in CHT, 24 April 2024, url
- 627
Hill Voice, Two villagers abducted by UPDF released for ransom, 28 January 2025, url; Business Standard (The), UPDF member shot dead in alleged PCJSS attack in Rangamati, 16 March 2025, url
- 628
Dhaka Tribune, Five CU students freed a week after abduction in CHT, 24 April 2025, url
- 629
Patwary, O. H., The Dynamics of Conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh in the Post Peace Accord Period, Social Alternatives, 2023, url, pp. 41–42
- 630
Prothom Alo, 3 UPDF members shot dead in Khagrachhari, 30 October 2024, url
- 631
Business Standard (The), UPDF member shot dead in alleged PCJSS attack in Rangamati, 16 March 2025, url