Two innocent villagers arrested in Naniachar

chtnews.com
News No. 55/2008, March 22, 2008

On 20 March 2008, two innocent villagers were arrested in Naniachar under Rangamati disctrict.

Sources said Dipon Chakma (20) s/o Rabi Joy Chakma and Ushamoy Chakma (27) s/o Sumongol Chakma were arrested during an army raid in the village of Rangipara under Sabekshyong Union, about 10km north-east of Naniachar sub-district headquarters.

A group of army personnel from Naniachar zone conducted the raid, said a UPDF leader from Naniachar town and added that "the victims are poor day labourer. Both of them were arrested from their houses."

After the arrest, local village elders including a Union Council member and the chief of the village pleaded with the zone commander to release them as both of them were the sole wage earners of their families. They also argued that there was no justification whatsoever for their arrest because both of them are innocent and none of them committed any crime.

"But the army refused to listen to us. They were not prepared to listen to any reason" said one of the village elders who were present during the meeting with the army officer.

He said the army commander bluntly warned them saying "those who will recommend for their (Dipon Chakma and Ushamoy Chakma) release will be treated as terrorists".

Afterwards, the army handed the arrested Jummas over to the Naniachar police and filed "a Ganja case" against them alleging that the soldiers found hashish from their possession.

Another source informed that the military had been conducting operations in a large swath of Mahalchari and Naniachari Thanas since 19 March. "Such operations invariably involve raids, arrest, torture and harassment of innocent people" he said.