Three activists of United People Democratic Front (UPDF) were shot dead by unidentified criminals in Korollya Charri village in the district's Baghaichari upazila yesterday morning.

The dead are UPDF members Smriti Chakma, 50, and Atol Chakma, 30, and Democratic Youth Forum member Sanjib Chakma, 30. Democratic Youth Forum is the youth platform of UPDF.

Quoting witnesses, police said the UPDF members were holding a meeting at a house in the village around 7:00am. All of a sudden, a group of 10-12 armed men open fired on the house, leaving the three dead on the spot.

Muhammad Anowar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sajek Police Station, said police recovered the bodies from the spot and sent those to Khagrachhari District Hospital for autopsies. 

In a statement, Sochol Chakma, organiser of Rangamati UPDF, blamed the PCJSS (MN Larma) for the triple murder. He demanded immediate arrest of the killers.

Prashanto Chakma, assistant information and publicity secretary of PCJSS (MN Larma), said the killings might have taken place over the UPDF's internal conflict. He denied the PCJSS' involvement in the incident.

At least 19 people were shot dead in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the last six months allegedly over conflicts within different organisations.

Among them are UPDF members Mithun Chakma, Anadi Ranjan Chakma, Anal Bikash Chakma, Natun Moni Chakma, Jhony Tanchangya, Sain Chakma, Surjo Bikash Chakma, Sunil Tripura, Smriti Chakma, Atol Chakma and Sanjib Chakma, PCJSS (MN Larma) members Shakti Maan chakma, Kalo Moy Chakma, Sadhan Bikash Chakma, Tanak Chakma, Setu Chakma and Sujon Chakma and UPDF (Democratic) president Tapan Jyoti Chakma.