Army arrests two in Manikchari

chtnews.com
News No. 166/2009, October 25, 2009

The army arrested two innocent villagers in a raid last night in Manikchari under Khagrachari district.

Sources said a group of army personnel from Manikchari camp raided the village of Mahamuni Para around 10pm on Saturday and picked up Kongyo Marma (40) s/o late Aungjairi Marma and Kyopru Marma (35) s/o late Nira Aung Marma.

Kongyo Marma was eating his dinner when the army came and began beating him.

Both of them were taken to the camp and tortured severely.

At one stage the army tried to photograph them after putting guns in their hands, but when they resisted the army put some Indian wine bottles in front of them and then photographed them.

Later, they were handed over to the police, and have been kept in their custody till the writing of this report at 10am.

A human rights activist, after making inquiry about the arrested Jummas, told chtnews.com that both of them are completely innocent.

“There could be only one possible reason for their arrest, and it is that they are relatives of Apruchi Marma, General Secretary of PCP Khagrachari District Unit, who played a very important role in organising protests against the recent land grabbing in the area.” he said.

Kongyo Marma is his elder brother while Kyopru Marma his sister’s husband, he said.

The Hill Students’ Council president Ricoh Chakma condemned the arrest and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.

He said PCP will not tolerate such actions of the army any more and warned of vigorous programmes if it does not stop human rights violations in the CHT.