7 UPDF men abducted in Rangamati

The anti-peace accord body places 4-pt demand in Khagrachhari

26 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Star National Desk

Seven activists of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) were abducted in Rangamati on Friday while the anti-peace accord organisation placed 4-point demand at a function in Khagrachhari yesterday. Our Correspondent in Rangamati reports: Seven activists of UPDF that has been demanding full autonomy for indigenous people in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), were kidnapped on Friday evening allegedly by the people of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) from Munshi Abdur Rouf Square at Manikchhari, some 20 kilometers away from the district town. The abducted UPDF men are Pratul Chakma, Santosh Chakma, Jiten Chakma, Keru Chakma, Bikash Chakma, Mishan Chakma and Bindu Dhan Chakma. They were picked up while putting posters marking UPDF's 11th founding anniversary. They are residents of Kutukchhari of Sadar upazila and Ghilachhari of Naniachar upazila, UPDF leader Michael Chakma said yesterday. PCJSS cadres kidnapped our activists to foil our programme, said Michael, who is also convener of Rangamati UPDF unit. Sources said, a group of armed cadres of PCJSS went to the spot and picked them up on three-wheelers at gun point. The kidnappers later took them to unknown places in the deep forests of Rangapani areas, they said. Shantideb Chakma, a leader of UPDF, Rangamati unit, strongly condemned the incident and urged the administration to rescue their activists immediately. Babul Uddin Sarder, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali police station, told this correspondent that the police are still investigating the incident. "We have not received any written complaint yet," he added. Our Correspondent in Khagrachhari reports: UPDF leaders here yesterday placed 4-point demand to ensure rights of the indigenous people. The demands include resolving land dispute within shortest possible time, stopping special operation in hill districts, withdrawal of security men and constitutional recognition to indigenous people in the CHT. UPDF leaders were holding a meeting on the occasion of 11th founding anniversary of the organisation at Narankhiya Red Square under Sadar upazila in Khagrachhari district. Presided by Democratic Youth Forum (DYF) district unit general secretary Arpon Chakma, the meeting was attended as chief guest by Khagrachhari district UPDF coordinator Ujjal Smrity Chakma . Among others, Hill Women's Federation district unit vice president Chandoni Chakma, Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) district unit general secretary Aprushi Marma, Hill Women Federation secretary Swarna Chakma also spoke at the meeting. Earlier, they held a bicycle procession which paraded the main roads of the hill town.