KHAGRACHARI: A dawn-to-dusk hartal called by United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) is being observed loosely in Khagrachari Thursday (November 16).

UPDF, under the banner of ‘committee against miscreants and drug-terrorism’, called on the hartal to protest a newly-formed committee of some reformists of the party.

Long-route bus communication was suspended due to the blockade.

Meanwhile, picketing was reported in some suburban areas of the district.

Security measures have been strengthened to avoid any untoward incident.

However, formed in 1998, UPDF is a political party based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts who have been fighting for establishing full autonomy in the hills.

A reformist faction of the party emerged officially through a meeting held on Wednesday (November 15) in a community center in the town.

The recent activities of UPDF goes against the democratic values, said the meeting.

BDST: 1042 HRS, NOV 16, 2017
SI