chtnews.com
News No. 137/2010, September 9, 2010
THE seven leaders and activists of the Hill Women’s Federation and Hill Students’ Council, released from jail recently, have been accorded a grand reception in Naniachar.
Held at Naniachar College ground at 11:30am today, the reception was hosted by Naniachar unit of the UPDF and its front organisations.
An estimated 1,500 people from different villages attended the reception.
The HWF and PCP leaders and activists were arrested by army on 23 and 29 August without a warrant and sent to jail on framed up charges.
PCP Naniachar Unit president Bilash Chakma, General Secretary Bablu Chakma and Naniachar College Unit General Secretary Tapu Moni Chakma were arrested on 23 August and released on 29 August, while HWF Naniachari Unit president Juthika Chakma, its member Jotna Chakma and ex-president of Naniachari College Unit president Bnoyon Chakma and its member Ithon Chakma were picked up from UPDF office on 29 August and released on 6 September.
Presided over by Naniachar Upazila vice president, Kumendu Bikash Chakma, the mass reception was also addressed by Shanti Dev Chakma, chief organiser of UPDF Rangamati District Unit; Mikel Chakma, member secretary of Democratic Youth Forum; Aongay Marma, president of Hill Students Council; Konika Dewan, general secretary of Hill Women’s Federation; Suranga Dhanu Chakma, a prominent elder from Bandukbhanga village and Sushil Jibon Chakma, a villager from Naniachar T & T area.
Also present at the programme were Ponchanon Chakma, chairman of Naniachar Sadar Union; Pronoti Bikash Chakma, chairman of Burighat Union; Mithu Chakma, acting chairman of Ghilachari Union and Anadi Ranjan Chakma, acting chairman of Sabekyong Union.
The released PCP and HWF leaders were received with garlands and chorus of inspiring slogans.
The speakers condemned the arrest of the leaders and activists of the PCP and HWF, terming it as a measure to thwart the autonomy struggle led by the UPDF and its front organisations.
They urged the government to put an end to all such repressive measures and create a true democratic environment in the CHT.
“The people will no longer tolerate undemocratic and fascist rule of the army and will not let such unlawful arrests and detentions go unchallenged.” UPDF leader Shanti Dev Chakma told the gathering.
The speakers called upon the government to declare the CHT as an autonomous area and provide constitutional recognition to the national minorities in the country.
“Anything short of this demand will not be acceptable to the CHT people.” one of the speakers said.
They also raised a set of demands which includes withdrawal of the false cases filed against PCP and HWF members, unsealing of the Naniachar office of the UPDF, withdrawal of Naniachar zone commander Minhazul Islam, putting an end to Operation Uttoran and military interference in democratic rights of the people.
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