Langadu: Two held over Jubo League man's killing

Police yesterday arrested two persons in connection with the killing of Rangamati's Longadu upazila unit Jubo League leader Nurul Islam Nayan at Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari.

The arrestees have been identified as Runel Chakma and Junel Chakma.

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The police also recovered a motorcycle, which they said was used by Nayan, from Maini Bridge area in Dighinala after Navy and Fire Service and Civil Defence teams jointly conducted a drive in the Maini river, reports our Khagrachhari correspondent.

The law enforcers have meanwhile arrested three Bangalee settlers in Longadu. Md Jasim, Md Didar and Md Babul Mia were arrested during a raid on Friday midnight.

Nayan, organising secretary of Sadar union unit Jubo League, was found dead on a road in Dighinala on June 1. He used to carry passengers on his bike in and outside Rangamati for a living.

Following the incident, Bangalee settlers unleashed a series of arson attacks on indigenous people in Longadu on June 2. More than 200 houses and shops were looted, vandalised and burned to ashes, according to victims.

Ali Ahmed Khan, superintendent of police (SP) in Khagrachhari, told a spot briefing in Dighinala that three youths were involved in the killing of Nayan.

The police have arrested two of them, while the other one is on the run, he said, adding, they are working to arrest him.

The SP further said the joint team found the motorcycle in the river around 4:30pm.

Md Mominul Islam, officer-in-charge of Longadu police, said Jasim, Didar and Babul were held in connection with a case filed for arson attacks on indigenous community, reports our Rangamati correspondent.

The affected indigenous families were still living in the jungle and a primary school of remote Longadu area since the attacks.

 Kalindi Chakma, a victim of the arson attacks, said the authorities should take immediate steps to rebuild their houses.

“How long will we live under the open sky?” he asked.

The indigenous people also demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the arsons.

Mangal Chakma, chairman of Atharakchhora Union Parishad, said after one week the administration was yet to take steps to rebuild the houses of the victims.

Longadu Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Tajul Islam said steps for rebuilding the houses were underway.

Chakma Circle chief Barrister Raja Debasish Roy yesterday visited the affected areas in Tintila, Manikjor Chhara and Battya Para and talked with the affected villagers.

Parbatya Chattagram Bangalee Chhatra Parishad has meanwhile called a daylong strike for today in three hill districts -- Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban -- demanding arrest of Nayan's killers and protesting mass arrest of Bangalees in Longadu.