UPDF leader shot dead in Bermachari

chtnews.com
News No. 140/2009, October 3, 2009

A top leader of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) has been assassinated in Bermachari under Laxmichari Union.

Mr. Rui Khoi Marma, a central committee member of the UPDF, was shot dead at Bot-toli, near Fatikchari tea estate on Friday, 2 October, at around 7pm.

UPDF blamed a military-backed armed gang for the killing and declared a three-day mourning period, to be observed in all party units throughout the CHT.

Mr. Rui Khoi Marma, 59, was returning home after a meeting with other party members when the incident took place.

UPDF member Ratan Marma, who was present at the same meeting, told chtnews.com that he had heard five gun shots. “I heard the gun shots a few minutes after we had parted with each other” he said.

Rabi Shankar Chakma, General Secretary of the UPDF, termed the attack as cowardice and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Mr. Rui Khoi played an important role in building the new party, UPDF, and in mobilizing the masses against continuous land grabbing and human rights violations.

The army was particularly angry with him because of this and made numerous attempts, including two raids into his house, to arrest him.

The army, and especially Laxmichari Zone Commander, Sharif, became more ferocious when their favourite candidate lost to a candidate supported by UPDF in the last Upazila elections held in February.

After this defeat, Sharif began to patronize some anti-social elements and held a series of secret meetings in last July to form the so-called CHTNF (Chittagong Hill Tracts National Forum), which is responsible for the recent kidnappings in the southern CHT district of Bandarban.

Some of the Jummas who had taken part in these secret meetings later realized the real intention of the army, changed their hearts and negotiated a rapprochement with the UPDF.

UPDF has blamed the so-called CHTNF terrorists for the assassination of Rui Khoi Marma and demanded that the government immediately disband it.

UPDF and its front organisations will stage demonstrations in CHT to protest the killing of Rui Khoi Marma.