Leaders of Shanti Pratishtha Committee (Peace Establishment Committee) and armed group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) on Tuesday held a peace talks to restore peace and stability in hilly areas.
The talks were held at a community centre at Ruma Upazila under Bandarban district.
Authorities concerned said that the two sides sat in-person meeting for the second time aiming at restoring peace and stopping conflict in the hill. The first in-person meeting was held on November 5 last year.
The meeting started at about 11:00am and lasted for two hours.
Bandarban Zila Parishad Chairman and Peace Establishment Committee convener Kyaw Shwe Hla and KNF general secretary Laljongmoy Bawm or brigadier Muiya led their respective sides.
Peace Establishment Committee convener Kyaw Shwe Hla said that both sides held the talks in a cordial environment.
“The Peace establishment Committee will try to implement some of the demands of the KNF while the rest of the demands which will not be implemented by the peace establishment Committee will be sent to the government,” he said.
He said that they would sit again in April.
The KNF community believes that the meeting with the Peace Establishment Committee will be a fruitful one, sources said quoting the KNF general secretary as saying in the meeting. The armed group KNF emerged in 2021 through carrying out an attack. Five soldiers of the Bangladesh Army were killed in recent months in the fights with the armed group.
Later, some 17 members of the KNF were detained. The armed group KNF was also accused of providing training to the terrorist organisation Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.
To restore peace in the hills, the peace establishment Committee was formed in May last.