Govt. is conspiring to foil our program: DYF

chtnews.com
News No. 84/2009, July 09, 2009

DEMOCRATIC YOUTH FORUM’S GENERAL SECRETARY, MITHUN CHAKMA HAS ALLEGED
THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSPIRING TO FOIL THEIR RALLY SCHEDULED TO BE
HELD TOMORROW, 10 JULY, IN MANKICHARI, KHAGRACHARI DISTRICT.

He said the UNO had been duly informed of the rally in writing, and
that his promise to provide necessary support had also been obtained.

“But as the date for the rally is nearing, the UNO Mohiuddin Kabir
Mahin has suddenly reversed his decision which surprised the
organisers.” he said.

A team of the organisers led by PCP General Secretary Aungay Marma met
with the UNO to discuss the tomorrow’s rally scheduled to be held at
Rani Nihar Devi Government High School ground at 1pm.

Mr. Marma quoted the UNO as telling him: “I am ready to provide all
the necessary cooperation if the DC or SP gives permission (to hold
the rally)”.

The team also contacted the OC Md. Abul Kashem, only to hear the same refrain.

However, he tacitly admitted facing pressure from the military
administration. “If the military pressures us, then we are helpless on
the issue.” the OC is quoted as saying.

Both the UNO and OC dissuaded the organisers from holding the rally.

The organisers then contacted Manikchari Upazila chairman Md. Jobbar,
who told them that the rally might be provocative for the BNP and Sama
Odhikar Andolan, a platform of the settlers.

Mithun Chakma said they would discuss the situation and take the right
decision. He termed the civil administration as puppet of the army.

“The reversal of the decision goes a long way to prove that it is the
army who rules the roost in CHT. The army is the greatest impediment
to peace and democracy in this part of the country; they are the evil
force (shoitan), acting as a colonial ruler.” Mithun added.

The rally is being organised jointly by Boroitali Land Protection
Committee and Democratic Youth Forum to protest against continuous
land grabbing in the area.

Another report says the army in Lakshmichari has threatened the bus
and jeep owners and drivers not to ferry the participants to the
rally.

The organisers entered into a contract with the bus and jeep owners
well in advance, but after the army pressure they are refusing to
adhere to the terms of the deal, Aungcha Ching Marma told chtnews.com.