Two hill women's leaders, two UPDF men held with firearms
Army personnel arrested two leaders of Hill Women's Federation (HWF) and two activists of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) with firearms at Naniachar upazila UPDF office on Sunday night.
The arrestees are Juthika Chakma, 24, HWF Rangamati district unit convenor, and Joytsna Chakma, 23, a leader of the HWF district unit, and UPDF activists Titan Chakma, 22, and Binayan Chakma, 21.
Army men later handed over the four to Naniachar police. An arms case was filed against them with Naniachar Police Station.
An army team and members of Village Defence Party (VDP) led by Naniachar army zone commander Lt Col Minhaz raided the UPDF office at around 8:00pm and arrested the four with two pipe guns.
Police yesterday produced the arrestees in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court that sent them to jail.
Shantidev Chakma, district unit coordinator of UPDF, Aungya Marma, president of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP), and Sonali Chakma, president and Hill Women's Federation (HWF) in a joint statement yesterday condemned the arrest of HWF leaders and UPDF activist. They demanded immediate release of the four.
They alleged that the army men detained their leaders and activists without any reason and implicated them in a 'false' arm case. They demanded withdrawal of the case.
Meanwhile, the UPDF has launched a poster campaign in three hill districts on Saturday demanding autonomy for CHT and constitutional recognition of the indigenous people.
The anti-peace treaty organisation along with it front organisations---Gonotantrik Jubo Forum, Pahari Chhatra Parishad and Hill Women's Federation--is being carried out the programme.
They put up posters on walls in different areas of Matiranga, Dighinala, Ramghar, Manikchhari, Laxmichhari and Mohalchhari under Khagrachhari district, Balaghata, Kalaghata, Reicha, Rowangchhari, Bagmara under Bandarban, and Kutukchhari, Naniachar in Ranmgamati district.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments