chtnews.com
News No. 172/2008, November 28, 2008
At least ten Jummas were injured in a settler attack in Mahalchari under Khagrachari district yesterday, 27 November.
Sources from Khagrachari said the attack took place at around 3:30 pm near Mahalchari Police station when the Jummas were on their way to participate in a funeral in the village of Tholipara. The settlers were led by Jasim Uddin from Chongrachari cluster village and were armed with stick and dao (a kind of knife).
Four of the injured were admitted to Khagrachari hospital. Their condition has been stated to be critical.
The incident is a sequel to a series of other incidents. On 24 November, settlers led by Jasim Uddin, a fish trader, caught two UPDF supporters – Tissu Chakma (18) of village Bodanala and Tikon Tripura (18) from Sinkukchari -- and handed them over to the army. This created resentment among the Jumma villagers, who decided not to allow them to fish in their area.
Yesterday, at around 1pm when a group of settler fishermen went there to catch fish the Jumma villagers told them that they would not allow them to fish until the arrested UPDF supporters were set free. A heated altercation took place between the two sides, leading to a minor scuffle.
After coming back, the settlers incited their fellow brothers and attacked the Jummas near the police station without slightest provocation. These Jummas were not in any way involved in the previous incidents.
The Jummas tried to resist the attack but with little success. The police intervened only after the attack was over. Army personnel were also deployed later on.
At least ten Jummas were reported to have been injured in the premeditated attack. Four of them were admitted to Khagrachari hospital. They have been identified as Ulhapru Marma(42) son of Ushapru Marma of village Mahamunipara, Chinginala, Mahalchari; Kamol Marma (25) son of Ushapru Marma of Village Mahamunipara, Chinginala, Mahalchari; Mrs. Shuimrasang Marma(60) wife of Mr. Lailapru Marma of Village Khaiyongsa para; and Kangja aung Marma(34) son of Mr. Chailapru Marma of Village Khaiyangsa para. Mr. Kangja aung Marma is an employee (Bloc Supervisor) of Agriculture institute.
A few settlers also reportedly sustained minor injuries, but their identity was not revealed fearing criminal actions. None of the attackers has so far been arrested.
Friday, November 28, 2008
UPDF office keeper arrested in Kawkhali
chtnews.com
News No. 171/2008, November 26, 2008
An office keeper of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) has been arrested in Kawkhali under Rangamati district.
Sachib Chakma, central committee member of the UPDF, told chtnews.com that at around 8:30am a group of army personnel from Talukderpara camp came to the UPDF office in a pick-up van and took away Onyon Talukder (28) s/o Gobinda Talukder.
Talukder is responsible for maintaining the office which was reopened on 17 November.
The soldiers took him to the camp and subjected him to torture and intense interrogation. Later on, he was taken to Panchari village where the army made a few more arrests of innocent Jumma people, another source said without giving further details.
News No. 171/2008, November 26, 2008
An office keeper of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) has been arrested in Kawkhali under Rangamati district.
Sachib Chakma, central committee member of the UPDF, told chtnews.com that at around 8:30am a group of army personnel from Talukderpara camp came to the UPDF office in a pick-up van and took away Onyon Talukder (28) s/o Gobinda Talukder.
Talukder is responsible for maintaining the office which was reopened on 17 November.
The soldiers took him to the camp and subjected him to torture and intense interrogation. Later on, he was taken to Panchari village where the army made a few more arrests of innocent Jumma people, another source said without giving further details.
Midnight raid into UPDF office in Kawkhali
chtnews.com
News No. 170/2008, November 19, 2008
Army personnel broke into the Kawkhali unit office of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) around midnight last night, sources in UPDF said.
The incident comes about 11 hours after they ordered the party to close down the office, which was reopened on 17 November, after the government had withdrawn a ban on political activities.
The soldiers have reportedly removed the office furniture. No further details are available.
Meanwhile, sources from Rangamati said a terrorist group had kept pressuring Lakshman Sen Chakma (60) to revoke a deal over the use of his house as an office by UPDF in Ghagra.
Yesterday, they called the village elders to their den and threatened them not to allow UPDF to carry out its activities in Ghagra.
"We are giving you the last warning – either you cancel the deal (over the UPDF office), or we will take actions against all of you", one of the villagers who attended the meeting quoted the terrorists as saying.
News No. 170/2008, November 19, 2008
Army personnel broke into the Kawkhali unit office of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) around midnight last night, sources in UPDF said.
The incident comes about 11 hours after they ordered the party to close down the office, which was reopened on 17 November, after the government had withdrawn a ban on political activities.
The soldiers have reportedly removed the office furniture. No further details are available.
Meanwhile, sources from Rangamati said a terrorist group had kept pressuring Lakshman Sen Chakma (60) to revoke a deal over the use of his house as an office by UPDF in Ghagra.
Yesterday, they called the village elders to their den and threatened them not to allow UPDF to carry out its activities in Ghagra.
"We are giving you the last warning – either you cancel the deal (over the UPDF office), or we will take actions against all of you", one of the villagers who attended the meeting quoted the terrorists as saying.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Denial of Registration: UPDF sends legal notice to EC
THE United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) on Sunday, November 09, sent a legal notice to the Chief Election Commissioner, A T M Shamshul Haq, urging him to inform the party by 2pm today whether the EC would "cancel, withdraw or rescind" its decision of 2. 11. 2008 not to register the UPDF as a political party.
The notice has been sent on behalf of the UPDF President, Mr. Prasit Khisha, by Advocate Md. Shariful Haq from Hazlul Karim and Associates.
It said " the said decision dated 2.11.2008 of the Election Commission not to register the UPDF as a political party is ultra vires of the Political Parties Registration Rules, in particular Rule 7(5) which specifically provides that the Commission shall give any applicant party an opportunity of fifteen days to correct any errors in its application and to supply the necessary documents in support of such application."
It also contended that " the said decision dated 2.11.2008 of the Election Commission is without lawful authority and of no legal effect inasmuch as it is wholly arbitrary and in violation of the principles of natural justice."
The press release was signed by Aongay Marama, Publication and Public Relations Department of the UPDF.
chtnews.com
News No. 167/2008, November 9, 2008
The notice has been sent on behalf of the UPDF President, Mr. Prasit Khisha, by Advocate Md. Shariful Haq from Hazlul Karim and Associates.
It said " the said decision dated 2.11.2008 of the Election Commission not to register the UPDF as a political party is ultra vires of the Political Parties Registration Rules, in particular Rule 7(5) which specifically provides that the Commission shall give any applicant party an opportunity of fifteen days to correct any errors in its application and to supply the necessary documents in support of such application."
It also contended that " the said decision dated 2.11.2008 of the Election Commission is without lawful authority and of no legal effect inasmuch as it is wholly arbitrary and in violation of the principles of natural justice."
The press release was signed by Aongay Marama, Publication and Public Relations Department of the UPDF.
chtnews.com
News No. 167/2008, November 9, 2008
UPDF member arrested in Sajek
A member of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was arrested in Sajek under Rangamati district on 7 November.
Sources said Motor Chakma, aged 33, s/o Budu Chakma (mother's name Erebu Chakma) of village Balukhali under Bongoltoli Union of Baghaichari Thana was arrested from the house of one of his relatives in the village of Egojyachari in Sajek.
A group of army personnel from Majolong camp raided the village at around 4:30pm and arrested him.
Mr. Chakma, an active member of the UPDF, is believed to have been there on a family business. He has not been handed over to the police till the writing of this report at 3pm today.
No further details are available.
chtnews.com
News No. 166/2008, November 9, 2008
Sources said Motor Chakma, aged 33, s/o Budu Chakma (mother's name Erebu Chakma) of village Balukhali under Bongoltoli Union of Baghaichari Thana was arrested from the house of one of his relatives in the village of Egojyachari in Sajek.
A group of army personnel from Majolong camp raided the village at around 4:30pm and arrested him.
Mr. Chakma, an active member of the UPDF, is believed to have been there on a family business. He has not been handed over to the police till the writing of this report at 3pm today.
No further details are available.
chtnews.com
News No. 166/2008, November 9, 2008
PCP Naniachar office standoff: army picks up 10 PCP and HWF members
In a latest development today, the army picked up five members of the Hill Students Council (PCP) including the president of its Naniachar branch, Bilash Chakma, and another five Hill Women's Federation members from their office at T & T area in Rangamati district.
However, they were released later after "interrogation". PCP and HWF sources in Naniachar told chtnews.com that a group of army personnel led by Adjutant Nazmul from Naniachar zone (1 EBR) came to the PCP and HWF office at around noon and took the PCP and HWF members to the zone headquarters.
At the zone, they were interrogated by captain Morshalin. In reply to his questions, the PCP Naniachar unit president told him that they had closed down the office after the declaration of the state of emergency last year.
"The army officer said they will not allow us to open the office without permission from the TNO (Thana Nirbahi Officer)." one of the PCP men present at the interrogation told chtnews.com.
Captain Morshalin also asked them to appear before the zone headquarters with identity cards and meet with the Commanding Officer (CO) tomorrow.
The other PCP members that were picked up included Bablu Chakma, Organising Secretary; Bignabinashon Chakma, Assistant General Secretary; Tapu Moni Chakma, member; Kalo Moni Chakma, member.
The HWF members taken to the zone headquarters along with them are Aruna Chakma, Kemie Chakma, Bipasha Chakma, Rupashi Chakma and Api Chakma.
PCP condemns
The Hill Student's Council President, Ricoh Chakma, and General Secretary, Aungya Marma, in a statement condemned what they called "the autocratic and undemocratic attitudes" of the army.
However, they were released later after "interrogation". PCP and HWF sources in Naniachar told chtnews.com that a group of army personnel led by Adjutant Nazmul from Naniachar zone (1 EBR) came to the PCP and HWF office at around noon and took the PCP and HWF members to the zone headquarters.
At the zone, they were interrogated by captain Morshalin. In reply to his questions, the PCP Naniachar unit president told him that they had closed down the office after the declaration of the state of emergency last year.
"The army officer said they will not allow us to open the office without permission from the TNO (Thana Nirbahi Officer)." one of the PCP men present at the interrogation told chtnews.com.
Captain Morshalin also asked them to appear before the zone headquarters with identity cards and meet with the Commanding Officer (CO) tomorrow.
The other PCP members that were picked up included Bablu Chakma, Organising Secretary; Bignabinashon Chakma, Assistant General Secretary; Tapu Moni Chakma, member; Kalo Moni Chakma, member.
The HWF members taken to the zone headquarters along with them are Aruna Chakma, Kemie Chakma, Bipasha Chakma, Rupashi Chakma and Api Chakma.
PCP condemns
The Hill Student's Council President, Ricoh Chakma, and General Secretary, Aungya Marma, in a statement condemned what they called "the autocratic and undemocratic attitudes" of the army.
UPDF terms EC 'biased' in party registration
The United People's Democratic Front on Friday accused the Election Commission of showing 'discriminatory and biased' attitude in the registration of political parties, says the New Age, an English national daily in Bangladesh.
Full excerpt of the New Age report is as follows:
UPDF terms EC 'biased' in
party registration
Staff Correspondent
The United People's Democratic Front on Friday accused the Election Commission of showing 'discriminatory and biased' attitude in the registration of political parties.
Condemning the commission's decision not to register the UPDF as a political party, the party's president Prasit Bikash Khisha, in a statement signed by Angya Marma, the office and public relation secretary of the party, termed 'unacceptable and illogical' the reasons the commission showed for not registering it.
'It is very unfortunate the commission refused to register democratic and progressive parties such as the United People's Democratic Front whereas it registered parties like Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami which acted against the country's independence in 1971, amid strong opposition,' the statement said.
Prasit Bikash asked the chief election commissioner to reconsider registering it as a political party.
chtnews.com
News No. 164/2008, November 8, 2008
Full excerpt of the New Age report is as follows:
UPDF terms EC 'biased' in
party registration
Staff Correspondent
The United People's Democratic Front on Friday accused the Election Commission of showing 'discriminatory and biased' attitude in the registration of political parties.
Condemning the commission's decision not to register the UPDF as a political party, the party's president Prasit Bikash Khisha, in a statement signed by Angya Marma, the office and public relation secretary of the party, termed 'unacceptable and illogical' the reasons the commission showed for not registering it.
'It is very unfortunate the commission refused to register democratic and progressive parties such as the United People's Democratic Front whereas it registered parties like Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami which acted against the country's independence in 1971, amid strong opposition,' the statement said.
Prasit Bikash asked the chief election commissioner to reconsider registering it as a political party.
chtnews.com
News No. 164/2008, November 8, 2008
Army-police cordon off UPDF office in Naniachar
A joint force of army and police personnel cordoned off the office of the Naniachar branch of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) yesterday, 7 November, a day after it was opened for the first time in nearly two years.
Like all other political parties of the country, the UPDF also closed down its offices after the promulgation of the state of emergency on 11 January last year suspending all kinds of political activities.
After the announcement of polls schedule on 2 November, the caretaker government relaxed the emergency rules, allowing the parties the freedom to conduct election related activities. A few months earlier, the government had withdrawn a ban on indoor politics.
In the morning of 6 November, the UPDF members and supporters opened their office in Naniachar Thana under Rangamati district. At 12 noon, two security intelligence personnel visited the office, but they did not speak to any one. "They stayed a few minutes at the office and then left" said a UPDF member from Rangamati.
The following day, i.e., 7 November, around 7am a joint force of army and police personnel came to the office in three pick-up vans and cordoned it off until 5pm.
The soldiers asked the people, present at the nearby tea shops, who had opened the office the day before.
The soldiers also told them that they had information that there would be a meeting at the office.
Sachib Chakma, a central committee member of the UPDF, confirmed the incident and said "the way the army and police cordoned off our office is a clear violation of our democratic rights."
"This is a tactic of intimidation and coercion, and they did it so that we are not able to participate in the polls freely and openly." he added.
chtnews.com
News No. 163/2008, November 8, 2008
Like all other political parties of the country, the UPDF also closed down its offices after the promulgation of the state of emergency on 11 January last year suspending all kinds of political activities.
After the announcement of polls schedule on 2 November, the caretaker government relaxed the emergency rules, allowing the parties the freedom to conduct election related activities. A few months earlier, the government had withdrawn a ban on indoor politics.
In the morning of 6 November, the UPDF members and supporters opened their office in Naniachar Thana under Rangamati district. At 12 noon, two security intelligence personnel visited the office, but they did not speak to any one. "They stayed a few minutes at the office and then left" said a UPDF member from Rangamati.
The following day, i.e., 7 November, around 7am a joint force of army and police personnel came to the office in three pick-up vans and cordoned it off until 5pm.
The soldiers asked the people, present at the nearby tea shops, who had opened the office the day before.
The soldiers also told them that they had information that there would be a meeting at the office.
Sachib Chakma, a central committee member of the UPDF, confirmed the incident and said "the way the army and police cordoned off our office is a clear violation of our democratic rights."
"This is a tactic of intimidation and coercion, and they did it so that we are not able to participate in the polls freely and openly." he added.
chtnews.com
News No. 163/2008, November 8, 2008
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