- ASSAULT ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
Human chain program foiled in Laxmichari
On 21 November, the Bangladesh Army and a vigilante group supported by it jointly prevented people from taking part in a human chain organized by the Chatra-Janatar Sangram Parishad (Students and Peoples’ Movement Council) in Laxmichari Upazila of Khagrachari district.
The organizers of the human chain were demanding the reorganization of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council by appointing honest, non-partisan and competent persons.
The program was scheduled to be held at Samurpara Passenger Shed at 10 a.m., but before it began a group of 10-12 vigilantes drove to the venue and tried to intimidate the participants.
The vigilantes were soon followed by a group of soldiers from Banyachola camp of the Bangladesh Army, who entered the villages adjacent to the program venue and ordered the villagers not to participate in the human chain.
- ARREST AND DETENTION
Army, vigilantes pick up four in Ramgarh
In the small hours of 19 November, at 3 a.m. to be precise, four villagers were picked up from their homes in the village of Jorichandra Para under Patachara Union of Ramgrah Upazila, Khagrachari district by a joint team of the Bangladesh Army and New Masked Force, a vigilante group backed by the military.
Fifteen soldiers of the Bangladesh Army from Sindukchari zonal camp and eight members of the New Masked Force rounded them up in a joint raid in the village.
The victims are Subel Tripura alias Sajal, 22, son of Subi Kumar Tripura and his elder brother Rubel Tripura, 25; Jotin Tripura, 22, son of Amrita Lal Tripura (village head) and Mohan Tripura, 17, son of Hiraw Kumar Tripura.
They were taken to Sindukchari camp, from where all but Subel Triura were released after interrogation.
Subel Tripura is a former member of the UPDF. The army handed him over to Guimara police station after placing a hand-made gun in his hand.
He had no cases filed against him before the arrest.
- SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Jumma woman raped in Panchari
A Jumma house wife was reportedly raped by David Chakma, 35, a member of an armed gang loyal to a pro-CHT accord political party in Hatimara village under Panchari Upazila, near Bangladesh-India border.
The exact date of the incident, which took place in the victim’s house, could not be known. However, according to local sources, it happened a few days ago when a pro-CHT accord armed group encamped in the village. David was a member of that armed group.
The victim’s husband was at home when he raped her, but could do nothing to prevent him for fear of reprisals.
When the crime was known, David was sent back to their den in India.
- KIDNAPPING
UP member kidnapped in Panchari
On 10 November, a pro-CHT accord armed group kidnapped a member of Logang Union Council from his home in Panchari Upazila of Khagrachari district for supporting United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF).
His name is Shanti Ranjan Chakma, 55, son of Biro Lakshma Chakma of village Dewan-para, Dudhukchara, Logang Union.
According to sources, on 10 November, at around 6 a.m. about 50 armed men led by Tungulo Chakma raided Dewanpara village and kidnapped him.
He was taken to Simana-para village where he was severely tortured.
Later Logang UP chairman Joy Kumar Chakma called Tungulo Chakma to request that Shanti Ranjan Chakma be freed. Thereafter, at 2 p.m. he was released.
Four villagers kidnapped in Subolong
On 29 November, a pro-CHT accord armed group kidnapped four villagers, including the Karbari of the same village, from Chilakdak under Subolong Union of Barkal Upazila in Rangamati district.
Two of the kidnapped men have been identified as Ashwini Kumar Chakma, 65, the Karbari of the village, and his son Nibaron Chakma alias Nixon, 43.
They were taken at around 5 a.m. from their homes.
- SEARCHES
Army searches UPDF activist’s house in Manikchari
On the night of 7 November, at 2:30 a.m., a group of 20-25 soldiers of the Bangladesh Army from Manikchari camp raided and searched UPDF activist Sumit Chakma’s house in Manikchari, Khagrachari district.
The soldiers were accompanied by three persons in civilian dress. Sumit Chakma was not at home at the time.
Apart from searching the house, the soldiers also interrogated his wife about his whereabouts and then left at 4 a.m.
Three houses searched in Jibtoli
On 16 November, a group of 12 soldiers of the Bangladesh Army led by Md. Gofur carried out a search operation in the village of Guihabachara under Jibtoli Union of Rangamati Sadar Upazila.
The soldiers were from Gobghona army camp. Three houses were searched during the operation. They belong to Kala Morotto Chakma, 45, son of Jawharlal Chakma; Sushanta Chakma, 55, son of unknown and Anil Chakma, 38, son of Ladibap Chakma.
Villager’s house searched in Kaptai
On 17 November, the Bangladesh Army soldiers searched a house in the village of Oapu Maidong Para under Raikhali Union of Kaptai Upaizla, Rangamati district.
A group of 10-12 soldiers led by Warrant Officer Md. Abdul Kuddus from Raikhali army camp under 56 Bengal carried out the search.
The house searched belongs to Kyawthoai Marma, 32, son of late Kyajai Hla Marma. He and other family members were away from home at the time of the search.
- HARASSMENT
Vigilantes harass people in Panchari
On 15 November, a group of the military-backed New Masked Force, brandishing automatic AK-47 rifles, took position at Panchari College gate, Mirzabil, Panchari Model School gate and at Dewanpara in Bhaibonechara Union amid military operations in Panchari’s Logang area.
The vigilantes stopped vehicles, frisked and interrogated passengers in total disregard of the law and the government authority.
One of the victims, who preferred to remain anonymous for personal safety, told HPF: “I was stopped and checked at Panchari College gate. The armed men (New Masked Force) had weapons and were behaving as if they were security personnel.
