http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/12/07/d3120701055.htm
The Daily Star, Sun. December 07, 2003
Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari
Another indigenous youth was killed in Khagrachhari's Panchhari area yesterday ahead of tomorrow's general strike called by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS).
The PCJSS blamed the UPDF (United Peoples' Democratic Front) for the murder of Kina Chand Babu Chakma, 27, although the victim's political link could not be confirmed.
The UPDF has denied the allegation.
Police and local sources said Kina was on his way home from Panchhari bazaar at around 9:00pm when a gang of criminals attacked him in the Abani Karbari area. The gang first shot him point blank and later slit his throat to confirm his death. There were five gunshot wounds in Kina's body, hospital sources said.
This was the latest in a number of murders in Khagrachhari in a week attributed to the political vendetta between the pro-peace accord PCJSS and the UPDF, which opposes the accord signed in 1997 that ended two decades of insurgency.
Meanwhile, a strike called by the UPDF protesting Tuesday's killing of its member Gyaneshwar Chakma was observed peacefully here yesterday.
Our Bandarban Correspondent adds: A tense situation prevailed in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) centring tomorrow's strike called by the PCJSS amidst widespread fear of incidents similar to the arson attacks in 1995.
On March 15, 1995, some 200 houses were set afire during a curfew imposed by the district administration to foil a programme of Pahari Chhatra Parishad.
Sadhuram Tripura of the PCJSS said many people in Bandarban have voiced concern about the possibility of violence, but the PCJSS leader dismissed the fears. "We have taken up programmes to observe the hartal peacefully to realise our demands," said Tripura, a former 'major' of the now defunct Shantibahini.
Sources said Somo Adhikar Parishad, an organisation of Bangalees, held a meeting at Bandarban Shahar Primary School yesterday.
Chaired by Parishad leader Dalilur Rahman, the meeting discussed ways to resist tomorrow's hartal, but no specific action was however decided.
Mohammed Shamsul Kibria, acting deputy commissioner of Bandarban, acknowledged receipt of an application by the Parishad seeking permission from the district administration to hold a meeting at the district press club, but said no decision was taken as yet.
"We are fully alert to the dangers that might disturb the law and order and taking proper measures to prevent any violence," Kibria said.
Other sources said people of Maddham Para and Ujani Para of Bandarban town will hold a meeting today to discuss security arrangements during tomorrow's hartal.
The BSS from Khagrachhari adds: The district chapter of the four-party alliance declared an agitation programme to thwart the PCJSS's dawn-to-dusk hartal tomorrow.
The PCJSS, among other things, has been demanding resignation of Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, MP, from the post of chairman of CHT Development Board.
On the other hand, the district chapter of the four-party alliance has also demanded resignation of PCJSS Chairman Shantu Larma from the post of chairman of the CHT Regional Council.
Police and district administration sources have reported tightened security
measures including deployment of additional police to tackle any untoward incidents
following the fresh stand-off between the supporters of the PCJSS and the UPDF.