Three villagers held hostage by JSS, freed later

chtnews.com
News No. 07/2010, January 12, 2010

Armed members of the Santu Larma faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti held hostage three Jumma villagers in Belaichari under Rangamati district before freeing them on payment of ransom, sources said.

A school teacher, requesting anonymity for security reasons, told chtnews.com that on 8 January, the JSS men had issued letters to 8 villagers asking them to meet them (Santu group).

“They met the JSS people, who held hostage three of them.” he said and added “we heard that the JSS demanded Taka 300,000 for their release.”

On 10 January, the hostages were released apparently on payment of part of the ransom money demanded.

“However, the hostages’ families are too scared to say publicly that they had to pay the money” he said.

“But the general belief is that the money has actually been paid.”

The victims are Shanti Baran Talukder (48) son of Nanya Ram Chakma, Office Secretary of Hengerachari Union Parishad No. 2 and a resident of Herongchari village; Gyanendu Chakma (36) son of Mohesh Chandra Chakma of village Shamukchari, a trader; and Nangu Karbari (48) son of Jubojon Karbari, chief of Herongchari village.
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