Chattogram:The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has lodged a money laundering case implicating nine individuals, including Nathan Bom, the chief of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), for allegedly financing uniforms for the banned organization.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the accused were involved in funding and facilitating the creation of 40,000 sets of four-color camouflage uniforms for the KNF. Investigators have traced financial transactions amounting to approximately Tk 1.63 crore linked to the uniform production.
The individuals named in the case are Nathan Bom (also known as Nathana Lancheo), Mongholasin Marma (alias Mong), Niaz Haider, Md Golam Azam, Sahedul Islam, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Jamalul Islam, Md Touhidul Islam, and Md Matiur Rahman. The case was filed on October 7 at Bayezid Bostami Police Station under Section 4(2) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.
The investigation stemmed from a special operation by the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) on May 18, 2025. During the operation, police conducted a raid in Mozzafarnagar, arresting an individual involved in producing the uniforms. Further raids in the Chotopul area resulted in two more arrests.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of 20,300 sets of camouflage uniforms from a warehouse and a garment factory in Bayezid Bostami. The uniforms were seized under a case filed at the same police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The CID commenced a detailed examination of financial activities surrounding the uniform production. This involved analyzing bank transactions, cheques, cash payments, and purchase orders among those implicated. It was revealed that Mongholasin Marma, representing KNF, initially contacted Niaz Haider, who then liaised with Golam Azam. They approached Well Composite Knit Ltd to produce the fabric, resulting in payments totaling Tk 90.59 lakh.
Further instructions from Marma led to engaging Ringvo Apparels, NN Fashion, and Noor Fashion for the cutting and sewing of uniforms, with Tk 72 lakh paid to these entities.
The preliminary investigation indicates that Nathan Bom directed Marma and others to finance and produce the uniforms, attempting to obscure the funds' origins, allegedly to support activities threatening Bangladesh's sovereignty. The CID continues to investigate the financial network tied to the KNF, scrutinizing the funds' source and flow and the roles of other potential entities in the financing network.