chtnews.com
News No. 124/2010, August 27, 2010
The army conducted searches into a number of Jumma houses in Naniachari in Rangamati district.
UPDF sources said a group of army personnel from Naniachar zone last night (11:30pm) searched a number of Jumma houses in Naniachar sub-divisional headquarters including the house of Jatil Chakma, a veterinary doctor employed with Naniachar Upazila Veterinary Office.
Earlier in the day, the soldiers also searched five houses in the village of Boradam, the shop of Ishwar Chandra Chakma at Khullyangpara and the house of Kamala Kumar Chakma, Karbari (village head) of T & T Choikuribil village.
They threatened to close down the shop of Ishwar Chandra Chakma if he fails to help the army capture the UPDF members within three days.
The army also took away an engine boat belonging to Shanti Bikash Chakma of Khullyanpara village.
The army of Naniachar zone stepped up repressive measures after the UPDF had staged demonstrations across CHT demanding that the government declares CHT as an Autonomous Region and provides recognition to the ethnic nationalities in the constitution of Bangladesh.
On 23 August, the army arrested seven members of the associate organisations of the UPDF party and tortured them in Naniachar zone.
Later, three of these arrested activists were handed over to the police and shown arrested under section 54 of the CrPC which gives the police sweeping powers to arrest anyone on mere suspicion.
In another development, the local administration of Naniachar today clamped section 144 in Upazila headquarters prohibiting assembly of five persons or more.
The reason for the clamping down of the section 144 is not known. However, there have been no declared programmes by any organisation today.
Army soldiers have been deployed to Naniachar bazaar since morning. They are being assisted by Village Defense Party (VDP) men.
Fear and anxiety has gripped the Jumma people in the area.
………………………..
