UPDF enforces roads, waterways blockade in CHT
Pickets attacked private and army vehicles in Khagrachhari yesterday, the first day of two-day roads and waterways blockade enforced by United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) across the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
Anti-CHT peace treaty UPDF was demanding repeal of the 15th amendment to the constitution and constitutional recognition to the indigenous people.
In Khagrachhari, an army unit was shifting from Mohalchhari zone to Chittagong in the morning, reports our correspondent.
When the motorcade of some 20 vehicles reached Guimara Budumpara in Matiranga upazila at about 9:45am, picketers threw brick chips, damaging one of the vehicles, said Swapan Kumar, officer-in-charge of Guimara police station.
On information, police went to the spot and picked up four people, he said adding that none was injured during the attack.
Major Hasan of Khagrachhari Brigade confirmed the incident.
Additional police have been posted at different points of the district while mobile courts are patrolling the town to stop untoward incidents.
No long-distance transport left the district yesterday since the blockade began at about 6:00am. However, a number of night coaches from Dhaka arrived at about 7:30am under police escort.
A night coach of SA Paribahan that reached the town early in the morning was damaged as pickets pelted brick chips on it.
In Rangamati, unknown criminals fired several blank shots near Ghara army camp on the Rangamati-Chittagong road under Kawkhali upazila during the blockade, reports our correspondent.
However, none was injured, said Shayamol Kanti Barua, officer in-charge (OC) of Kawkhali police station.
At Batbunia under Kawkhali upazila, security personnel dispersed a procession that was brought out by pickets at noon.
In Bandarban, two pickets were held during the blockade programme near Meghla tourist centre on Bandarban-Chittagong road. They were later handed over to Kotwali police, Bandarban police said identifying them as Hiaching Marma, 15, and Aungsathuai Marma, 16.
Before enforcing the blockade, UPDF staged demonstrations, organised human chains and held rallies in the three hill districts to press home their demand.
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