JSS leader Chandra Shekhor Chakma dies

chtnews.com
News No. 101/2009, August 9, 2009
The former General Secretary of the Jana Samhati Samiti, Mr. Chandra Shekhor Chakma has died in Khagrachari, party sources say.

Mr. Chakma complained of chest pain after attending a rally marking the World Indigenous Day in Khagrachari town today.

He died on the way when he was being taken to the hospital at 4:15pm.

The United People’s Democratic Front expressed deep shock at his death.

Mr. Chakma was one of the founder members of the Jana Samhati Samiti and a veteran guerrilla leader.

He was trice elected General Secretary of the Party, and was known for his simplicity, modesty and political acumen.

However, he fell from the grace of Santu Larma during the last party congress in 2006 when he, in an unusually bold manner, criticized him for his involvement in corruption and his undemocratic way of running party affairs.

Mr. Larma never took his criticism kindly and a power struggle ensued between the two. Eventually, Mr. Larma was able to get the support of the most of the delegates present at the congress and to keep the important posts to his henchmen.

Mr. Chandra Shekhor Chakma was elected to the central committee but without any portfolio.

Although Mr. Larma somehow managed to survive, the rift of the party widened with the time passed.

Aside Mr. Chandra Shekhor Chakma, many other JSS stalwarts fell out with Mr. Larma over the same issues and either deserted him or remained inactive in the party.

Among them are Mr. Rupayan Dewan, Mr. Sudhadindu Khisha, Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma Pele and Advocate Shaktiman Chakma.

In February last, the hired goons of Santu Larma made an attempt to assassinate him in Rangamati town. He was shot point blank and seriously wounded.

But this did not stop his criticism of Santu Larma, and in May, he published a four-page leaflet, openly criticizing Larma and exposing his corrupt practices.

Mr. Chakma left behind his wife Dipti Chakma and two sons, Alen Chakma and Pratibhash Chakma.