UPDF's demands
United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), an organisation opposing the 1997 peace treaty signed between the government and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity, took up different programmes including discussion meetings in different areas of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari districts on its 12th founding anniversary yesterday.
UPDF leaders urged the government to meet their 12-point demand including constitutional rights for indigenous people, declaration of autonomy in CHT region for ethnic minorities, withdrawal of the army from CHT and stoppage of 'Operation Uttaran', ensuring land rights for indigenous people, returning the lands grabbed by Bangalee settlers to the jummo people, end to repression and sexual harassment on indigenous women in hills, end to repression on UPDF leaders and activists and unconditional release of their leaders and workers arrested by police and army.
In a meeting held at Naniachar in Rangamati, the UPDF leaders criticised the district administration for not allowing meeting of their activists in different areas. They also blamed the army for preventing their leaders and activists from joining the gathering at Naniarchar.
UPDF leaders Sushil Jiban Chakma, Binoy Krisna Khisa, Bighna Khisa, and Hill Women's Federation leaders Juthika Chakma and Tapu Moni Chakma spoke at the programme.
Meetings were also held at UPDF offices at Swanisvar in Khagrachhari and Balaghata in Bandarban.
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