Army detains suspected UPDF member, releases later

chtnews.com
News No. 81/2008, May 9, 2008

On 30 March 2008, army personnel arrested Debapriya Chakma (20) from Dumdumi Union in Jurachari when he came to get himself registered as a voter.

He was arrested on suspicion of being an activist of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF). The soldiers took him to the camp and interrogated him for more than four hours.

However, he was released later only when the army became convinced that he was not a UPDF activist. The arrest was made by warrant officer Md. Ibrahim from Pukirachara army camp.

Villagers in Jurachari alleged that recently military searches, raids and harassment of innocent people have increased in the area. The people always live in constant fear of army atrocities. Many have gone in to hiding to avoid military persecution.

"The army officers arrest innocent people and then portray them as terrorists after placing arms and ammunition in their hands in order to secure a promotion for themselves" alleged a teacher of Jurachari High School who wished not to be named for fear of reprisal.