Army arrests ex -JSS man in Dighinala

chtnews.com
News No. 92/2008, May 29, 2008

On 13 May, army personnel from Dighinala cantonment arrested Anunoy Chakma (55), an ex-member of the Jana Samhati Samiti, from cantonment's check post under Emergency Powers Act.

Mr. Chakma, who joined the JSS movement during its early phases, is better known by his nom de guerre "Manos". He surrendered arms in 1998 pursuant to a peace deal signed in December 1997.

Disillusioned with JSS politics, he left the party a few years ago and opened a drug store at Baghaihat bazaar. During the 20 April communal attack that left 77 Jumma houses burnt, the settlers tried to assault and kidnap him, but he was spared when one sympathetic Bengali businessman forcefully intervened.

Manos is believed to share views with the moderate sections of the JSS which want unity with the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF). In 2005 and 2006, he supported the JSS moderates (now reformists) who attempted to effect democratic change within the party. According to sources, at its 2006 congress, JSS narrowly escaped another "10 November" meaning bloodbath. On 10 November 1983, the Priti faction of the JSS attacked JSS headquarters and killed its founder Mr. M. N. Larma.

Father of two daughters, Manos comes from Sizok Dore village in Baghaichari. He was returning from Rangamati to Baghaihat when the arrest was made.