Nine Jummas tortured in Belaichari

chtnews.com
News No. 105/2008, June 14, 2008

There have been reports of widespread military torture in Belaichari Upazila (sub-district) of Rangamati district.

According to sources, between 3 to 6 June, at least nine innocent Jumma villagers, including an orally challenged person, have been tortured by Lt. Tanvir, commander of Dhupchari camp (8 Bengal) in Belaichari.

On 3 June 2008, a group of about 15 army personnel led by Lt. Tanvir raided the village of Down and searched for Bimal Kanti Chakma, a staunch UPDF supporter. The soldiers stripped Riton Chakma (26) s/o Kandara Chakma naked and then beat him up severely. He is a resident of Dujuri Para village in Kaindya, Rangamati.

Thereafter, the army personnel took Bishwa Sagor Tonchongya (35) s/o Roma Kanti Headman to the camp along with his licensed gun, stripped him naked and tortured. He was set free the following day. The seized gun was also returned.

On 4 June 2008, Lt. Tanvir and his soldiers took 4 innocent Jummas of Down village to the camp and beat them up alleging that they provided support to the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF).

The victims have been identified as Anil Karbari (52) s/o Dhulon Chandra Chakma, his brother Ranjan Chakma (50), Kanchon Tonchongya and Shanti Kumar Chakma (60). The army released them after torture.

On 6 June 2008, Lt. Tanvir tortured another three Jummas. This happened at around 9 a.m. when he detained them Jummas at the camp gate. He took them inside the camp and beat up after stripping them naked.

The victims have been identified as Chandra Chakma (45), Jibon Chakma (25) and Subhash Chakma (30). They were on their way from Bogakhali to Belaichari to collect relief being provided to the rodent-hit Jum cultivators by Belaichari TNO and UP chairmen. The soldiers released them after torture.

Again on 6 June 2008, at about 12 noons, another Jumma named Shanti Muni Chakma (18) s/o Jonokdhan Chakma was subjected to physical torture. Mr. Chakma is orally challenged. He was on his way from his village Shalbagan to the village of Down when the incident took place.