chtnews.com
News No.29/2009, April 14, 2009
United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) has called upon the government to stop harassing people in the name of checking, and withdraw all the so-called security check posts from Rangamati – Khagrachari road. (photograph of a soldier checking a bus attached)
Speaking to the chtnews.com, UPDF’s central committee member Ujjal Smriti Chakma said: “each and every vehicle plying on Khagrachari – Rangamati and Khagrachari – Chittagong road is halted and checked.”
“The security forces often harass passengers at these check posts” he added.
A government employee said: “Why there should be any check posts? I do not see any changes between pre and post accord situations in the area.”
All – Bengali and Jumma alike - are unanimous in their demand to withdraw all the check posts from Khagrachari – Rangamati road.
According to Democratic Youth Forum’s General Secretary Mithun Chakma, there are as many as eight check posts on Khagrachari – Rangamati road. These are at Mainikchari (Rangamati), Kuduksuri, Ghilachari, Bogachari, Betchari, Kerenganala, Bizitala and Zero Mile.
“They have become anachronistic even in the present-day Chittagong Hill Tracts although the area is still under military occupation and the army rules the roost.” he said.
