Three innocent villagers arrested in Karallyachari

Three innocent Jumma villagers were arrested by army yesterday from
Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir area in Karallyachari under Mahalchari Upazila
in Khagrachari district.

Warrant Officer, Md. Wahid of 13 Bir, stationed at Sarnath Arannyo
Kuthir, made the arrests at 9am while they were sawing logs in the
Kuthir (Buddhist temple) area.

The arrested have been identified as Shanti Ranjan Chakma, 45, s/o
late Ram Charan Chakma, Amar Singh Chakma, 40, s/o Biro Sen Chakma and
America Chakma, 45, s/o Kalabiza Chakma. They are from the village of
Karallyachari.

The army handed them over to the police station in Mahalchari.
However, no case has yet been filed against them, said Sunil Jibon
Chakma, ex-chairman of Kyang-ghat Union Council.

He further said newly-elected Mahalchari Upazila Chairman, Mr. Sona
Ratan Chakma contacted the Mahalchari zone headquarters of the army
yesterday and pleaded for their release; but his request went
unheeded.

“I have heard that there will be a meeting this morning at 10am at
Karallyachari where the issue will be discussed. Sona Ratan Chakma and
army officers are expected to attend this meeting.” Mr. Sunil said.

During the state of emergency in 2007 and 2008, the army and settlers
made repeated attempts to capture the Kuthir’s 8 acres of land and its
adjacent areas. The local administration imposed section 145 in the area prohibiting the gathering of people and banning uplift work in
the Kuthir.

Army personnel have been deployed to the area since January.

chtnews.com
News No. 13/2009, March 16, 2009