Laxmichari attack on UPDF: protests continue

chtnews.com
News No. 149/2009, October 10, 2009

There have been protest rallies throughout the Chittagong Hill Tracts and in Dhaka and Chittagong following the settler attack on UPDF in Laxmichari, Khagrachari yesterday.

Boycott
UPDF Laxmichari Unit enforced a boycott of Laxmichari bazaar today in protest against yesterday’s attack on its members and supporters by illegal settlers.

It also held a protest meeting at Morachengi dor area, near Laxmichari Upazila headquarters.

UPDF leaders alleged that the settlers had been instigated by Laxmichari zone commander Lt. Col. Sharif.

HWF leader Rina Dewan, while speaking to chtnews.com, said the police had intentionally given the settlers the opportunity to attack them.

Manikcahri
Sources from Manikchari said in protest against the attack the general people of the area had removed the plates of three bailey bridges at Kalapani, Thulipara and Toimatai (Ballyachari) on Khagrachari – Chittagong road, disrupting traffic till noon today.

Naniachar
In Naniachar of Rangamati district Hill Women’s Federation and Hill Students’ Council staged a demonstration protesting the attack.

They held a rally at Rest House ground at 1pm and later took out a procession, which paraded Naniachar bazaar.

Presided over by Bilash Chakma, President of PCP Naniachari Upazila Committee, the rally was also addressed by HWF leader Juthika Chakma, Bigna Khisha, Binayon Chakma and Tapu Moni Chakma.

Dhaka
PCP Dhaka Unit staged a demonstration at Muktangon in the afternoon. Later they held a rally in front of National Press Club. Presided over by Sumen Chakma, President of PCP Dhaka Unit, the rally was addressed by Ashim Chakma, Subrata Tripura, Ahsish Sharma of Biplobi Chattra Sangha and Ayon Ahmed from Lamp Post, a progressive literary circle.

The programme was moderated by Thuiko Ching Marma.

The Students Unity Against Imperialism also staged a demonstration on Dhaka University campus in protest against the Laxmichari settler attack.

They took out a procession at 11:30am and held a rally on the campus. Moderated by PCP leader Thuiko Ching Marma, the rally was addressed by Samiul Alam Richi, President of Bangladesh Chattra Federation, and Ram Krishna Mazhi, a representative from Naya Bangla Lal Padakkep, a progressive organisation.

Chittagong
The Chittagong protest was organised jointly by Hill Women’s Federation, Hill Students’ Council and Democratic Youth Forum.

They took out a procession from Chittagong Press Club and held a rally at Dost Building near New Market.

The rally was addressed by Konica Dewan, General Secretary of HWF; Sumi Chakraborty, convenor of Progotishil Porabrajok Dol Chittagong University Unit; Anwar Hossain, convenor, Jatiya Chattra Dal; Piki Majumder, member, Jatiya Mukti Council; Mohammad Mamun, General Secretary, Jatiya Gonotantric Front; and Michael Chakma, a leader of Democratic Youth Forum.

Protests were also held in Mahalchari, Dighinala and Betbunia.