Released UPDF members say they were tortured in custody

chtnews.com
News No. 130/2009, September 17, 2009

Two United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) members, released from jail recently, have said they were tortured while in army and police custody after arrest on 13 May 2009.

Purna Bhushan Chakma (aged 40) and Mongol Dhan Chakma (aged 27) were speaking to chtnews.com correspondent after their release. They are currently in Chittagong for medical treatment of their physical injuries they sustained as a result of severe beatings. (Their photographs are attached herewith.)

They were released on bail from Rangamati jail on 9 September, about four months after their arrest.

They said they were arrested by army from the house of Purna Chakma in the village of Bhijakijing in Badalchari under Balukhali Union in Rangamati district.

“It was about 9:30 in the morning. Suddenly a group of 30 – 35 army personnel surrounded the house and detained us.” Purna Bhushan Chakma, who hails from Shukarchari village under Sapchari Union in Rangamati district, said. “They came from Kukipara Bhija Kijing camp which is under Banajogichara zone within Kaptai Brigade.”

They were not wanted in any case, and went there to attend a meeting with the villagers.

“The army bound us hand and foot and beat us with a big long stick. They tortured us in this way till 4pm, and at about 7:30pm they handed us over to Jurachari police station.” Mongol Dhan Chakma of Bamey Longudu village under Rangamati district told chtnews.com.

Both of them were shown arrested under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code which gives the police sweeping powers to arrest anyone on mere suspicion. The next day, they were sent to Rangamati jail.

Later, a false case was filed against them alleging that both of them were engaged in a fictitious incident of shootout with the army.

While in Rangamati jail, they were taken on remand from 21 – 24 May and were tortured during interrogation.

Purna Bhushan Chakma, who have been working for the party since its inception in 1998, said he had one Nokia mobile set (Model No. 2626) along with a SIM, cash Taka over 3,000 and a Siko Five wrist watch. “But the army did not produce these items to the police.”

Mongol Dhan Chakma also brought the same allegation against the army. He said the army did not hand over his Nokia mobile phone, his Citizen wrist watch and Taka 2,400 to the police.

As a result of excessive torture both of them sustained serious injuries in their chests, spinal cords and other vital parts of the body.

They are currently receiving medical treatment from Dr. Anup Dewan and Sumedh Dewan in Chittagong.