Mass arrest by army in Laxmichari

chtnews.com
News No. 135/2009, September 25, 2009

There are reports of mass arrests and torture of innocent Jumma villagers in Laxmichari under Khagrachari district.

Sources say army personnel from Laxmichari zone led by Commanding Officer Sharifuddin Ahmed arrested dozens of Jumma villagers from different areas of Laxmichari this morning (Friday).

Ratan Bidu Chakma (32) s/o Dhonya Chakma, a Jumma contractor, was arrested from Morachengey. He was supervising the construction of a bridge in Jotindra Karbari Para area.

Quoting local residents, UPDF’s Niron Chakma told chtnews.com that Mr. Ratan had been seen being taken away by army, blindfolded.

Pulindra Chakma (55) s/o late Badi Chakma was arrested from his house in the village of Badipara when he was performing Sanga Dana, a religious service, for his deceased father.

Another source said the army also arrested over a dozen people from 3 – 4 Jumma tea shops at Shilchari.

He added that the Jummas have been taken to an open ground in front of the army zone headquarters and tortured.

However, he could not provide further details.