Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Two supporters of a candidate arrested by army in Lakshmicahri

Two supporters of Remrachai Marma, a candidate for the post of chairman of Lakshmichari Upazila, were arrested in Lakshmichari, Khagrachari district.

The army arrested Ani Chakma (20) s/o Prabin Bikash Chakma and Dipak Chakma (19) s/o Hridoy Kumar Chakma yesterday at around 4:30pm from in front of the Zone's canteen while they were returning home riding Remrachari Marma's motor bike.

Both of them are students and hail from the village of Morachengey. Ani Chakma passed Higher Secondary Certificate exam last year and is seeking admission to Universities, while Dipak Chakma is a candidate for HSC exam in Manikchari College.

Lt. Col. Sharif, commander of Lakshmichari zone, ordered their arrest.

They were later handed over to the police. But it is still unclear what charges have been brought against them.

The army is openly backing Mrs. Deva Rani Chakma, a candidate for the post of chairman, and has been intimidating the supporters of Remrachai Marma.

Mr. Marma is believed to have the blessing of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF).

chtnews.com
News No. 06/2009,
January 21, 2009

Army arrests supporters of a candidate in Mahalchari

There are serious allegations against the military of breaking neutrality and campaigning for its faourite candidates in various Upazilas of Khagrachari district.

One report said the Bizitola camp commander, Captain Mohammad Alamgir (13 Bir), is pressurising the voters to cast their votes in favour of Ula Prue Marma.

Mr. Marma, an Awami League member, is contesting for the post of Chairman in Mahalchari Upazila.

Today, at around 1pm, soldiers led by a Warrant Officer from Bizitola camp detained four supporters of his rival candidate Mr. Sona Ratan Chakma from the village of Bodanala.

The arrested have been identified as Amiyo Kanti Chakma s/o Karmasur Chakma age 40 and Mera Chakma s/o Zin Mohan Chakma age 40 of Bodanala village and Mohammad Bokkor age 35 and Mohammad Nasiruddin age 22 from Lemuchari village.

They have been taken to the camp, sources in Khagrachari said.

Mr. Sona Ratan Chakma is known to be backed by the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) and commands support from both the Jummas and Bengalis.

The Mahalchari Zone commander and his second in command Ziaul Haq (13 Bir) are also alleged to be pressurizing the Bengali voters to cast their votes in favour of the Awami League candidate, Ula Prue Marma.

The army is also allegedly campaigning for Bakul Chakma in Panchari and Animesh Dewan alias Sudukkya in Khagrachari Upazilas to stem the victory of the UPDF-backed candidates.

In Lakshmichari, the army is intimidating the supporters of Remrachai Marma, who is contesting for the post of Chairman. He is believed to have the blessing of the UPDF.

The army is openly backing Deva Rani Chakma, wife of Anil Chakma, in this Upazila.

Anil Chakma was a member of the UPDF but was expelled for embezzling party funds and breaking party disciplines a few years ago.

Since then he and his wife have been working for the army, alleged most of the voters in Lakshmichari.

chtnews.com
News No. 05/2009,
January 21, 2009

Armed terrorists kidnap a UZ candidate in Barkal

A gang of armed terrorists allegedly kidnapped Santosh Chakma, a candidate for Barkal Upazila Chairman, yesterday while he was returning from a campaign meeting held at Tripurachara bazaar under Barkal Upazila in Rangamati district.

"Mr. Chakma was kidnapped from Kukichara area" newspapers said without mentioning the identity of the kidnappers.

But some described the incident as a "friendly kidnapping", designed to garner sympathy votes in the election.

The terrorists belong to a small armed group which has ganged up with Awami League and the military in Baghaichari to make sure their favourite candidates win in the Upazila election.

Mr. Santosh Chakma is an active member of the Awami League.

The terrorist gang is harboured by a powerful leader of a regional political party whose headquarters are based in Rangamati.

Most of the time during the state of emergency the group members remained dormant in a corner in Baghaichari area, but they have been most active in the last few days under the auspices of the military.

They are being used to curb the influence of the UPDF in the area and intimidate and coerce its supporters in the election.

chtnews.com
News No. 04/2009,
January 21, 2009

Terrorist attack in Sajek, one terrorist dies when resisted

Reports say one terrorist has been killed when villagers resisted an attack on a UPDF house in Sajek under Rangmati district.

The terrorists, 15 in number and led by Chinu Marma, encircled the house at Choinoichara village in the small hours last night and then set it on fire after looting valuables.

When the villagers came to know of the incident, they blocked the road and fought the terrorists. One of the terrorists was killed in their own "friendly fire", sources said. However, the name of the deceased could not be known immediately.

The terrorists also beat up five villagers during the attack. They have been identified as Kina Chan Chakma (45) s/o Rangahulo Chakma, Chikkakala Chakma (30) s/o unknown, Kalacheda Chakma (22) s/o late Budu Chakma, Bhagyojit Chakma (25) s/o Bannya Chakma and Ripon Chakma s/o Bharat Bijoy Chakma.

Besides being tortured, the victims were also made to carry the dead body up to the river bank of Sajek and were tortured there again.

The terrorist attack is believed to have been carried out to foil an election meeting called by UPDF. The meeting is scheduled to be held today.

The terrorists are remnants of an armed group patronized by a regional party whose headquarters are based in Rangamati.

Members of this armed group have recently ganged up with the military and the local leaders of the Awami League to make sure their favourite candidates win in the upcoming Baghaichari Upazilla elections.

They have been terrorizing, intimidating and coercing the innocent villagers in Baghaichari for the last few days.

On 14 January, the terrorists looted away cash Take 35 thousand and other goods from three shops in Ugalchari of the area. Three persons were wounded when they resisted the terrorists. They are Mohiuddin (20), Nazrul Islam (24) and Abbas Uddhin (30).

A local newspaper published from Chittagong treated the incident but stopped short of revealing the identity of the terrorists.

The army also did nothing either to prevent the looting or to nab the terrorists after the incident.

chtnews.com
News No. 03/2009,
January 20, 2009

Army forcing Jummas to sell goods at cheaper price

The army is forcing the Jummas to sell their produce such as dried turmeric and ginger at throwaway prices to the Bengali traders in Baghaihat bazaar of Sajek in Rangamati district, alleged a human rights activist, who requested anonymity, citing security reasons.

He said Saturday is market day in Baghaihat. On last Saturday, 17 January, the Commanding Officer (CO) of Baghaihat army zone, Lt. Col, Anisuzzaman, forced five Jumma villagers to sell their ginger at Taka 40 per kg, much cheaper than the market price.

At the market it sells at Taka 65 per kg.

According to him, Arun Mohan Chakma (53) s/o Lakshmi Chakma, Anil Kanti Chakma (52) s/o late Kanti Chakma, Shanti Bikash Chakma s/o Badi Chandra Chakma, Joton Kumar Chakma of Bhaibonechara village and Anil Kanit Chakma (30) s/o Shukar Singh Chakma of Hazachara village were forced to sell their produce at such a throwaway price.

"The Jummas each brought 80 kgs of ginger to the market, the aggregate value of which stands at Taka 26,000. Therefore, clearly they have been made to lose Take 10,000." he said.

He said he also received reports of such forced selling from Dighinala, but could not give details.

chtnews.com
News No. 02/2009,
January 19, 2009

Tripura woman hit by bullet from army's target practice

A Tripura woman has been grievously wounded when she was hit by a live bullet fired by the army conducting target practice in Latiban under Panchari Upazila in Khagrachari district.

The incident occurred yesterday, 17 January, at about 10am near Rajamoni Army Camp when 29-years old Madhuri Tripura of Karigorpara village was on her way to work. She was hit in the thigh.

The soldiers under the command of Subedar Mohammad Hannan had been conducting target practice without giving prior notice to the nearby villagers.

Quoting Madhuri Tripura's husband Horendra Tripura, a human rights activist in Khagrachari told chtnews.com that after the incident village elders went up to the camp commander to make a complaint.

However, the commander at first refused to acknowledge that his soldiers were involved, and suggested that she was hit by UPDF firing.

The village elders strongly protested his remarks, and in the end the commander had to retract and admit the fact of the incident.

He then asked them to bring her to the camp. From the camp she was taken to Panchari Health Complex. But when her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to the Combined Military Hospital in Chittagong.

Jumma and Bengali settlers clash in Longadu

On 15 January 2009 a clash between Jumma villagers and Bengali settlers was taken place at Bagachadar area under Longadu upazila in Rangamati district. Following this incident, Bengali settlers made attack on Jumma people at Baranachari bazaar under Barkal upazila (adjacent to Longadu upazila).

It is reported that Bengali settlers have been trying to collect forest product from the area owned by Jumma villagers. On the contrary, Jumma villagers have been trying to forbid them from collecting bamboos and trees from their garden and orchard. However, the Bengali settlers continued to do so. On that day, Bengali settlers also went to the Jumma locality to collect the bamboos and trees and consequently Jumma villagers opposed them. At a stage, the clash was taken place.

In retaliation to this incident, Bengali settlers made attack on Jumma people who went to Baranachari bazaar. That day was the market day. It is reported that many Jumma villagers were injured in this attack. Two Jumma villagers who were seriously chopped got admitted at Al-Rabeta hospital at Longadu. On the other, 8 Bengali settlers were also admitted at same hospital with injuries.

Following this incident, Jumma people were banned Kalanagya bazaar by the Bengali settlers from Kalabanya and Bhushanchara under Barkal upazila. Local Jumma villagers said that Bengali settlers issued this ban on Jumma people aiming to protect Jumma voters to cast their vote at Kalabanya polling centre during forthcoming Upazila Parishad election scheduled to be held on 22 January.

Returnee PCJSS member arrested by the police in Dighinala

On 15 January 2009 at the morning police from Dighinala upazila arrested returnee PCJSS member Mr. Jokoj Chakma from Dighinala. It is reported that he was brutally tortured during the police custody. Due to serious injuries, he was admitted at Khagrachari general hospital instead of producing before the court.