Settlers attack UPDF members in Laxmichari

chtnews.com
News No. 145/2009, October 9, 2009

At least six persons have been wounded and three others missing when Bengalee settlers attacked a UPDF rally in Laxmichari.

Sources said UPDF staged a demonstration in the afternoon today protesting an attack on its Laxmichari Unit office on 5 October.

When, after the demonstration, the UPDF members and supporters gathered at their office, hundreds of Bengalee settlers laid a siege to it and pelted them with brick bats.

There were about 70 UPDF members and supporters trapped in the office. At around 7:30pm police came to their rescue.

As the police were escorting them out of the office and to the safety, the unruly settlers, believed to have been instigated by Lt. Col. Shariful Islam, commander of Laxmichari zone, attacked them with sticks, knives and iron rods.

At least six UPDF members or supporters are believed to have been injured, most of them seriously.

Three persons including two HWF members are still missing. They have been identified as Rumi, Sanchana and Paiprue.

The wounded are Maxon Chakma, Pratul, Mongsajai, Minoti Chakma from Morachengi dor in Laxmichari, Joya of Dhudhukchara in Panchari and Zeko from Panchari.

The injured could not be admitted to the hospital for fear of further attacks.

Army personnel led by Lt. Col. Sharif Aziz are now searching the houses of the Jumma people in Laxmichari Sadar to arrest UPDF members.

Later in the day, he had seized a jeep UPDF has hired for its 12 October commemoration meeting for Rui Khoi Marma, a central committee member of the UPDF assassinated on 2 October.

UPDF condemned the attack on UPDF members and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

“The attack has been carried out without slightest provocation, and it is Lt. Col. Sharif who is responsible for the attack.” said Ujjal Smriti Chakma, a central committee member of the UPDF.