news in october,2006

some CHT news
JSS-backed goons attack DYF activists in Chittagong HR Monitoring Cell, UPDF, November 2, 2006 At least three members of the Democratic Youth Forum have been wounded when JSS-backed goons attacked them at the main gate of Chittagong Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Of the injured, Sudatta Tripura has been admitted to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital. His condition has been stated to be critical. The other injured have been identified as Sumati Chakma and Polen Chakma. They have been given first aid. The DYF members were distributing fliers about 3 November council of their Chittagong Metropolitan City branch at around 7:30am, when the JSS terrorists attacked them in the presence of the on-duty police personnel. The police remained happy spectators during the attack. They even refused to arrest JSS terrorist Suman Tripura when the DYF activists handed him over to them. Suman Tripura is a notoriously drug addict and drug peddler and he has many cases filed against him including a murder case with Mahalchari police station in Khagrachari. The JSS goons involved in the attack are Suman Tripura, Gyana Bakul, Sumanta Bikash, Bijoy, Sahadev, Jatin, Pluto, Satej and Suman Boidyo. Today?s attack is the latest of a series of similar attacks believed to have been carried out to foil the programme of the Democratic Youth Forum. On 29 October DYF activist Prajit Chakma was assaulted when he was returning from his duty at EPZ. On 31 October Supreme Chakma, president of DYF Chittagong branch, was beaten by a hired goon of the JSS while another DYF activist Pavel Chakma was chased at New Mooring area. Both of them were on their way to work at EPZ.
CHT NEWS NO. 128. Prepared by Human Rights Monitoring Cell, United Peoples? Democratic Front (UPDF). November 2, 2006. Website: www.updfcht.org

Please read the following news in today's Daily Star.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/23/d61023070585.htm Vol. 5 Num 858 Mon. October 23, 2006

National Road blockade by UPDF in Khagrachhari 4 inured in clashes Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari A half-day road blockade enforced by the anti-peace treaty United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was observed here yesterday with sporadic clashes which left five people injured. The UPDF enforced the programme to press its seven-point demand including preparation of a voter list only with permanent residents in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The UPDF activists beat up transport workers, damaged four buses and broke glasses of many vehicles during the programme, police and locals said. Police were deployed in all vital points of the town. The injured are Sabur, 30, Gafur, 32, Kutub, 30, Abdul, 21, and Hasan, 23. After the road blockade, a rally was held at the UPDF office at Sanirbar Bazar. The UPDF district convener Ujjal Smriti Chakma presided the rally. Speakers threatened to paralyse life in CHT by stopping all activities of the government. They criticised both the ruling BNP and opposition Awami League for their step mother attitude towards indigenous people. They urged the indigenous people to empower themselves through exercising franchise. They were also critical of BNP lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan for his anti-people activities. They thanked people to make the road blockade programme a success. The UPDF demands included enrolment of only permanent citizens of CHT in the new voter list, introduction of postal ballot system for Bengali settlers including members of army and para-military forces, stoppage of army harassment in name of Operation Uttaran during three months of election, stoppage of army repression on indigenous people, specially on UPDF activists, stoppage of grabbing of land of indigenous people, inclusion of indigenous voters who were dropped from the voter list, deployment of police in polling centres during election and establishment of a separate Election Commission for CHT people. Among others, Hill Women's Federation president Sonali Chakma, Democratic Youth Forum president Dipankar Chakma and secretary Mithun Chakma including its member Animesh Chakma addressed.