UPDF opens office at Betbunia as OC tries to prevent it

chtnews.com
News No. 103/2009, August 13, 2009
The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) opened a branch office at Betbunia under Kaokhali Upazila of Rangamati district yesterday, 12 August.

A discussion was held at the office premises on the occasion. Presided over by Ripon Chakma, UPDF organiser in Kaokhali, the discussion was also addressed among others by Thuiko Ching Marma, Rina Dewan and Apruchi Marma.

The office was inaugurated by Ruisha Aung Karbari, head of the village of Kochupara, at 1pm, while Monchaprue Marma, head of Baro Amchari village, and Mong Paila Marma, ex-member of Kalampati Union (Ward No. 5) gave solidarity speech.

Mr. Ruisha Aung Karbai thanked the UPDF for opening an office at Betbunia and expressed hope that it would be able to raise consciousness among the people of the area about their fundamental rights and their role in the fight to achieve these rights.

As the discussion drew to a close and some of the participants left the office, a group of army personnel all on a sudden appeared there in a threatening manner, pointing their guns at the participants.

The army looked for Md. Bodiul Alam, the owner of the house that UPDF rented to house its Betbunia unit office.

Meanwhile, at Godapar camp on Chittagong – Rangamati road, the army halted a jeep carrying a group of PCP, DYF and HWF activists back to Khagrachari.

The army interrogated them about a few posters they found in the jeep. However, they released the activists a few minutes later.

Police threatens to arrest the owner of the house
The UPDF at first leased a house from Md. Malek (70) for the office. In July, a deed was duly signed between the parties to that effect.

However, on 9 August, the OC of Kaokhali police station summoned Mr. Malek to his office, rebuked him for leasing his house to the UPDF and threatened to arrest him. He gave him two options: either to revoke the deal or to give him (OC) Taka 20,000 in bribes.

Again on 11 August, the OC called Malek to his office and asked him to meet either of the two options by the morning of 12 August.

Against this backdrop, the UPDF hurriedly rented a house from Bodi Alam and launched its office.