http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/
The Independent, December 24 2003 Wednesday
OUR CORRESPONDENT, KHAGRACHHARI
Dec 23: Armed cadres reportedly belonging to Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) abducted about 20 villagers from Gargazachhari village of Sadar upazila today. Abduction of so many people at a time has caused panic among the villagers. The incidents of murder, extortion and kidnappings in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are on the rise following rivalry between two hill organisations? PCJSS and UPDF (United People’s Democratic Front).
Local People and members of the law enforcing agency said that about 15 armed activists of PCJSS raided the village in the morning and searched for the local political leaders and workers of the rival organisation? UPDF. The armed miscreants failed to trace out the rival political activists. The miscreants then picked up other family members and relatives of their political opponents. The armed gang kidnapped Sanghamitra Dewan (60), father of Elira Dewan, General Secretary of Hill Women’s Federation, affiliated to UPDF and Bhabotosh Dewan, head of local hill people along with 18 other villagers.
The UPDF has held PCJSS’ armed wing responsible for the abduction. Those who were kidnapped include Diganta Dewan, Motram Dewan, Shushanta Dewan, Nigan Chakma, Shailendra Chakma, Shantimoy Dewan, Sudarshan Chakma, Pritimoy Chakma, Chirajoyti Chakma, Gopal Krishna Chakma, Babul Chakma and Shankar Chakma. Identity of five others was not known immediately.
Sushil Chakma of UPDF and Antarika Chakma of Hill Women’s Federation in separate
statements condemned the abduction and held UPDF responsible for it. They demanded
immediate release of abducted persons and punishment to the abductors Army personnel
and police are patrolling the affected village.