Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Hill Women’s Federation and Ganatantrik Juba Forum on Friday protested at the arrest of Lama Sorai Bhumi Raksha Sangram Committee member Mathi Tripura and demanded his release.
They also demanded to raise voice against arrests in Chittagong Hill Tracts areas, land grabbing and raping women.
Jatiya Mukti Council general secretary Faizul Hakim and Bhumi Raksha Sangram Committee convener Rangdhajan Tripura, among others, addressed the protest rally held in front of the National Press Club, which was chaired by Ganatantrik Juba Forum general secretary Ziko Tripura, said a press release.
Expressing his solidarity, Faizul Hakim said, ‘Lama Rubber Industries Limited continued to create conspiracy to grab 400-acre land of Mro and Tripura communities. Police arrested Mathi Tripura as part of the conspiracy.
He said that the ruling class had been trying to reap their personal benefits creating conflicts among people in the hills and plains since 1980s.
The leader also demanded to cancel the 11-point directive in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, withdrawal of the Army from there and return the forced disappeared people including Michel Chakma.
Bhumi Raksha Sangram Committee convener Rangdhajan Tripura said, ‘The arrest of Mathi Tripura proved that the administration is beside the land grabber Lama Rubber Industries.’
He said that they arrested Mathi Tripura instead of those miscreants of the rubber industries.
The ethnic minorities in Langkom Mro Karbari Para, Joychandra Tripura Karbari Para and Rengyen Mro Karbari Para under Lama upazila were leading a miserable life, Rangdhajan said, urging everyone to visit and see their condition.
Hill Women’s Federation’s Rupashi Chakma, among others, spoke at the protest rally.
Before the protest rally, a procession was drawn from in front of the Jatiya Mukti Council’s office in Paltan that ended in front of the National Press Club.
