Terrorists shut HWF office in Lakshmichari

chtnews.com
News No. 94/2009, August 5, 2009
A group of terrorists today locked the office of the Hill Women’s Federation in Lakshmichari after kicking its members out.

HWF General Secretary Konica Dewan alleged that at around 1:30pm 5 – 7 club-wielding terrorists led by Russel and Sadhan went to the office of the Lakshmichari Unit of the HWF, forced HWF members out and locked the office.

“The terrorists identified themselves as members of the ruling Awami League,” she said adding that “they also assaulted Madri Chakma when she refused to go out of the office.”

Besides Madri Chakma, other HWF members present there were Neepa Chakma, Bobita Chakma, Rina Chakma and Sadhana Chakma.

Before this incident, at about 10:30am the Officer-in-charge of Lakshmichari police station, Md. Belayet Hossain visited the office and ordered them to shut down the office.

“The OC said he was merely conveying the order of the UNO”. Konica told chtnews.com from Khagrachari.

But HWF refused to shut down their office and asked the OC to come up with a formal legal order for it.

The HWF Lakshmichari Unit had reopened its office a couple of days ago and decided to organise a discussion on the plights of the Jumma women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts on 8 August.

Meanwhile, reports said HWF contacted Jotindra Lal Tripura MP and apprised him of the incident.

Mr. Tripura disowned the terrorists and is reported to have ordered their immediate arrest. He is also reported to have ordered the local administration of Lakshmichari to provide necessary assistance to HWF in reopening its office.