May 18, 2010

Chittagong Hill-Tracts: Pro-Peace Treaty Party Leader Murdered


Sample ImageThe Leader of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity Party (PCJSS) in favour of the Chittagong Hill-Tracts Peace Treaty, was killed yesterday in a gun attack by activists of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), the Anti-Peace Treaty Group.

Below is an article published by the Daily Star (Bangladesh):

A leader of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) was killed and another injured in a gun attack in Rajasthali upazila of Rangamati Sunday [date] night.

 

The deceased, identified as Uchinu Marma, 28, son of Thuihla Prue of Krangsai Para village under Rajasthali upazila, was an organising secretary of PCJSS, Gaiyandya union unit of the upazila. The body was sent to Rangamati General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

 

The injured, Ubaching Marma, 28, of Jagonachhari village in Rikhali union of Kaptai upazila, was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital yesterday.

Locals said a group of activists of anti-peace treaty group United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) fired on PCJSS men at about 11:00pm over the issue of PCJSS capturing the new UPDF office in the upazila.

Earlier, members of UPDF opened a new party office at Rajasthali sadar but PCJSS men grabbed it around 12 days back and named it Rajasthali Krira and Sangskritic Club. Since then PCJSS members have been using it as their party office.

About 15 to 20 PCJSS men were present at the club when the UPDF armed men attacked them leaving Uchinu dead on the spot, PCJSS sources said.

Michel Chakma, Rangamati district unit leader of UPDF, yesterday denied the allegation, and said internal conflict might be the reason behind the attack.

He, however, acknowledged the seizure of their party office by PCJSS, the organisation in favour of Chittagong Hill Tracts peace treaty.

Officer-in-Charge of Rajasthali police Rezaul confirmed the incident, and said police were out to nab the killers.

Meanwhile, the PCJSS unit yesterday brought out a procession in the town in protest at the attack, and held a rally at Rangamati deputy commissioner's office.

PCJSS leaders held government responsible for not banning the UPDF, which they call “terrorist organisation”.

On Saturday, the same group allegedly gunned down two activists of PCJSS in Juraichhari upazila of the district.