chtnews.com
News No. 97/2010, April 13, 2010
The United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) has condemned the pulling down of black flags, festoons and banners hoisted by its front organisations in support of a call for boycott of Boisabi festival.
Chief Organiser of UPDF Khagrachari district unit, Ujjal Smriti Chakma termed the army and police action as blatant interference in the democratic rights of the citizens, and said the present government wants to gag the voice of the people.
“The government wants to make sure that the Jumma people are not able to make any sort of protest against repression and killings perpetrated on them.” he added.
He urged the army and police to stop such undemocratic and fascist behaviour.
As a part of the Boisabi boycott programme, huge number of banners, festoons and black flags were hoisted at different points in Matiranga and Guimara areas on 12 April. The local residents spontaneously supported the call made by the front organisations of the UPDF in protest at attacks on Jumma people in Sajek and Khagrachari.
However, a group of policemen led by Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Guimaram Sub-Police station yesterday pulled down the festoons, banners and black flags from different points including Guimara, Budongpara, Rameshu Bazaar, Ballyachari Signboard Dokan area and Ballyachari School area.
Another group of police personnel from Matiranga Thana (police station) pulled down the festoons and black flags from Matiranga No. 10.
A group of army personnel led by Captain Amar from Guimara Bajjyapara Army Camp went to the village of Indra Moni Headman Para and pulled down the black flags and festoons from there.
After this action of the army and police, the people last night again hoisted black flags at Budongpara village, Rameshu Bazaar, Ballyachari Signboard Dokan area and Ballyachari School area.
However, a group of police personnel led by Abdur Ram pulled them down by 12 noon today.
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