chtnews.com
News No. 30/2009, April 16, 2009
Two innocent Jumma villagers were arrested by army in a midnight raid in the village of Duluchari Headman Para in Kudukchari of Rangamati district on 13 April, as the whole of Chittagong Hill Tracts was busy celebrating 3-day Boisabi festival beginning 12 April.
The arrested Jummas – Gyana Ranjan Chakma, age 40, s/o Punong Dhan Chakma and Elin Chakma, age 22, s/o Dayal Krishna Chakma – were taken to Kudukchari army camp and beaten up severely.
They were, however, released the next day as the village elders exerted pressure on the army, who agreed to place the two in the “custody” of Mr. Prabha Ranjan Chakma, Chairman-in charge of Kudukchari Union.
While Gyana Ranjan Chakma was arrested from his own house, Elin Chakma was picked up from the house of his brother-in-law, Sunil Kanti Chakma in the village.
Elin Chakma, who hails from Bhangamura in Naniachari Upazila, came there on a visit.
Sunil Kanti Chakma alleged that during the raid the army took away cash Take 1,250, 6 VCDs, 4 charge lights and a photo album from his house.
Of these, the army returned Taka 550, 1 VCD, 2 charge lights and the photo album. However, the army kept one photograph from the album, he added.
The raid was believed to have been made to arrest UPDF members in the area. Though the attempt failed, three of their families have been forced to go into hiding for fear of torture and harassment.
