A leader of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and 14 others were allegedly abducted at gunpoint by some miscreants from Kaukhali and Naniarchar upazilas in Rangamati on Sunday.
In Naniarchar upazila, 20-25 members of an armed gang swooped on Putkhali and abducted 14 people at gunpoint in the morning.
According to UNB, they fled into the forest along with the abducted villagers, witnesses said.
Meanwhile, some miscreants abducted Bakul Chakma, administrative unit director of UPDF, from Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati in the afternoon.
An armed group of 8-10 people swooped on Bakul Chakma's house and picked him up.
UPDF blamed its faction - Democratic UPDF- and reformist group of Parbatya Chattagram Jana SamhatiSamiti (JSS) for the abduction.
However, both the organisations denied the allegation.
Police Super of the district Md Alamgir Kabir said a team of police with the help of army was conducting drives at different places to rescue the victims.
Police suspect that they were abducted over the Naniarchar Upazila Parishad by-polls scheduled to be held on July 25.
