http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/01/20/d40120011414.htm
Daily Star, Tue. January 20, 2004
Staff Correspondent
The first day of the two-day road blockade programme in the three
districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and hartal in Khagrachhari
yesterday was marked by sporadic clashes between indigenous people and
Bangalee settlers.
In Rangamati, clashes betwewen the PCJSS activists picketing for the
blockade and Bangalee workers of Chondraghona Paper Mills left at least
five injured. The clashes started when
pickets stopped two workers on way to the mills.
On information, hundreds of fellow workers rushed to the spot and the
two sides engaged in clashes. Of the injured, one was hospitalised.
The indigenous people alleged that police did not resist the workers
when they attacked them.
The Bangalee Oikya Parisahd held a rally at Betbuniya Sadar Union
protesting the road blockade.
Security was stepped up in the CHT with deployment of more police and
army personnel, reports received in Dhaka said.
The Parbatya Chattgram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) is enforcing the
road blockade programme to press home its four-point demand.
Bharat Pratyagata Jumma Sharanarthi Kalyan Samity, an organisation of
indigenous refugees repatriated from India, called the hartal demanding
food ration for the refugees throughout the year.
The PCJSS demands full implementation of the CHT peace accord,
appointment of a leader of ethnic origin to the post of CHT Develop-ment
Board chairman by removing Wadud Bhuiyan MP, withdrawal of the army
camps, ansars and Village Defence Party from the CHT and handover of the
charge of the CHT affairs ministry to a cabinet member of ethnic origin.