Kidnapped UPDF members released after paying ransom

chtnews.com
News No. 129/2009, September 15, 2009

Two United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) members, kidnapped by armed gangs of the JSS (Santu group) from Rangamati town on September 2, was released on payment of a ransom of Taka 210,000.

The UPDF members -- Shukra Sen Chakma (32) s/o Chitra Mohan Chakma of village Dhamaipara, Panchari under Jurachari Upazila and Laxmi Kumar Chakma 929) s/o Brisha Ketu Chakma of village Morongchari under Barkal Upazila – were released on September 13 from Rangapani, a stronghold of the Santu loyalists.

“We had to sell properties and seek other people’s help to raise the ransom money.” Sukra Sen Chakma’s parents told chtnews.com.

They said the two families managed to raise Taka 150,000 selling their properties, while Jurachari Upazila Chairman Prabartak Chakma and all the UP chairmen under his Upazila raised Taka 50,000, and Shubholong Union Council Chairman Bihari Ranjan Chakma, Aimachara UP Chairman Shyam Ratan Chakma and Barkal UP chairman Prabhat Chakma gave Taka 20,000.

Shukra Sen and Laxmi Kumar were kidnapped from Reserve Bazaar in Rangamati town by a group of JSS (Santu) members led by Bhagya Chakma.

The UPDF members, out on bail in false cases, had come to the town to appear before the court.

The Santu loyalists tortured them badly while in captivity – Laxmi Kumar’s one hand and Shukra’s one leg are believed to have broken.

Although they have been released, they are still unable to receive medical treatment as one of the conditions for their release was to become Sramanas (Buddhist novices) in Swargapuri Temple in Rangapani.

Another condition, apart from the payment of ransom money, is to quit UPDF.

The Santu faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti has stepped up violent activities since the government announced partial withdrawal of the army from CHT on 29 July.

That the army is providing them full support up is an open secret, and the general people are too scared to discuss it in the open.

“The members of Santu group are misguided; from their activities it is apparent that they are hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Jumma struggle. They no longer consider the army as their enemy. What they want is the total destruction of UPDF and in trying to achieve that, they are making the common people to pay dearly.” a Jumma intellectual commented.