6 dead in clash between factions of Bangladesh ethnic group

 Six people were killed in a gunfight Tuesday between two factions of an ethnic group over control of a hilly region in souastern Banglesh where armed gangs are active, police said.

clash took place between Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samiti and its reformist faction, both dominated by influential Chakma tribe in Bandarban district, police official Mobasser Hossain said. He said all of de were from reformist faction.

group previously fought an insurgency against Banglesh's military and or security ncies for deces with India's help, demanding greater automy for a region kwn as Chittagong Hill Tracts. insurgency ended after group signed a peace treaty with government in 1997, but some group members were unhappy because y wanted more political freedom for ethnic group.

Bandarban is 387 kilometers (240 miles) souast of Dhaka. About a dozen ethnic groups live in region. Each has its own dialect, distinctive dress and rituals.

Hossain said bodies were being taken to a police station and police have launched an investigation.

Such attacks are common in region because some of groups are reportedly involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking and kidnapping for ransom.