Abduction of Kalpana

Half-day road blockade in Rangamati today

11 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Rangamati

Hill Women's Federation (HWF) has called a half-day road and waterway blockade in Rangamati today in protest against the decision of local administration. HWF announced the blockade programme at a press conference at the office of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) office at Kutukchhari in Sadar upazila. They will also observe sit-in programme at Rangamati town. The women leaders also brought out processions at Naniachar, Kawkhali, Kutukchhari and Bilaichhari upazila headquarters in support of their blockade programme. HWF alleged that they had gone to the Rangamati municipality authorities for taking permission to hold a meeting at the town hall on June 12, marking the 'Kalpana Chakma Kidnapping Day'. But the authorities refused to give them the hall due to the negative attitude of the district administration. They said the administration was influenced by the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS). HWF, a political platform for women based in CHT, has opposed the peace agreement. Kalpana Chakma, a leader of HWF, was kidnapped allegedly by a group of army from her house at New Lalya Ghona of Baghaichhari on June 12 in 1996. Since then, she has been missing. The government formed an investigation committee. But, no report relating the incident was published till now.