UPDF bodies protest attack on procession

Call to punish culprit for rape attempt

18 November 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

Three front organisations of United People's Democratic Front bring out a procession in Khagrachhari town yesterday protesting recent attack on their peaceful procession at Gilachhari in Rangamati district. PHOTO: STAR

Three front organisations of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) yesterday held a protest rally and demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the security men who allegedly attacked indigenous people on Tuesday at Gilachhari of Rangamati district. The rally was held at Muktomancho under Sadar upazila in Khagrachhari district. It was presided over by Democratic Youth Forum (DYF) district unit secretary Samir Chakma. The leaders of the three wings of the anti-peace body alleged that the indigenous people were holding a peaceful procession on November 17 protesting the alleged attempt to rape an indigenous girl by a security man. Four people were injured in the attack 'without provocation,' they said. They termed the attack as a kind of repression on hill people, saying the indigenous people are often subjected to harassment for no reason. They demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to the culprit for the rape attempt. Among others, Hill Women's Federation district unit vice president Chandoni Chakma, Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) president Ratan Chakma, its district unit general secretary Aprushi Marma spoke at the rally. Earlier, the front organisations of UPDF blocked Mohalchhari-Rangamati Road protesting alleged attempt to rape Jubili Chakma, 18, at Gilachhari under Rangamati district on November 8.