Recently, in November-December 2017, fabricated and conspiring cases against the innocent villagers and members of PCJSS are being filed one after another under collaborative move of ruling Awami League leadership, security forces and police in the Bilaichari, Jurachari and Rangamati Sadar Upazilas (sub-districts) under Rangamati Hill district. On the other end, the army-police joint forces are in a design that involves waking up the villagers at midnight, searching their houses, arbitrary beating and arrest in the name of searching operation in various locations under the said three Upazilas of Rangamati hill district. Till to-date, fabricated cases have been filed against 81 persons in name and 65-84 unnamed in the three Upazilas. Since 7 December 2017, 20 persons including the Chairman of Bilaichari Upazila Parishad were arrested and sent to jail while 19 others were beaten up and harassed and 5 houses were searched within the following 5 days. At this, extremely heightened panic is reigning over the areas.
It is f worth mentioning that several undesirable incidents took place involving killing of local Awami League leader Arabindu Chakma in Jurachari upazila and beating of Ram Charan Marma alias Rasel in Bilaichari upazila on 5 December 2017 and beating up of Jharna Khisa, vice president of Rangamati Municipality Awami League on 7 December 2017 by some unidentified miscreants. But the local Awami League, police and army went on propagating against PCJSS holding the organization to have been responsible for those misdeeds and filed conspiring and fabricated cases against the innocent villagers and members of the PCJSS.
It is to be mentioned that it is due to non-implementation of the CHT Accord on part of the present government even after being in the power for last 9 years, utter grievance and discontentment of people of all walks of life got exploded in the events of holding press conference, various discussions, protest rally and mass gatherings organized to mark the anniversary of two decades of the CHT Accord 1997. In order to divert the disgruntlement of people towards other course, conspiracy is being hatched to entangle the PCJSS in the recent incidents in orchestration with police and security forces, the very purpose of which is to corner the PCJSS leadership already engaged in the movement for implementation of the CHT Accord and thereby to foil the implementation process of the accord.
Fabricated Cases filed against 18 villagers including PCJSS members in Bilaichari
Over the issue of Ward No.9 member of Bilaichari UP, Amrita Kanti Tanchangya’s scuffing with some unidentified persons, a case was filed with Bilaichari Police Station by Amrita Kanti Tanchangya against 18 innocent villagers and PCJSS members mentioning their names and unnamed more 10/12 persons to have involved in the incident. Among the 18 defendants, they include Chandra Lal Chakma, President of PCJSS Bilaichari Thana Committee; Tipu Chakma, Organizing Secretary; Gyana Ranjan Talukder, member of PCJSS; Bir Uttam Chakma, President of Pahari Chatra Parishad (PCP) Bilaichari Branch; Sushanta Chakma, General Secretary of Bilaichari PCP and 5 motorcycle drivers running on rent. The army of Bilaichari zone are out for searching operations in various villages to arrest the PCJSS members and other innocent villagers.
Fabricated cases filed against 31 persons including PCJSS members in Bilaichari, 7 arrested
On 7 December 2017, Ram Charan Marma alias Rasel (56), Vice-President of Bilaichari Upazila Awami League filed a case against 31 innocent persons including members of PCJSS and its associate organizations involving Shubha Mangal Chakma, Chairman of Bilaichari Upazila Parishad and also President of PCJSS Bilaichari Thana Committee; Shyama Chakma, Woman Vice-Chairman of Bilaichari Upazila Parishad and also Information & Publicity Secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Mohila Samiti; Amrita Sen Tanchangya, Vice-Chairman of Bilaichari Upazila Parishad and also Information & Publicity Secretary of PCJSS Bilaichari Thana Committee and Birottam Tanchangya, General Secretary of PCJSS Bilaichari Thana Committee.
It is mentionable that the said Rasel Marma was physically attacked by some unidentified persons in Tilikyachari village of Bilaichari Upazila in the afternoon of 5 December 2017. The said fabricated case was filed against the PCJSS members.
Following the incident, a group of army of 13 Bengal Bengal of Digholchari army zone arrested the following 4 persons during operation in Digholchari and Kerengchari villages on 7 December 2017. The arrestees are:
1. Suman Chakma (28), s/o Amarendra Lal Chakma, Vill: Digholchari
2. Buddha Bijoy Tanchangya (25) s/o Lambahula Tanchangya, Vill: Digolchari
3. Bitomoni Chakma, s/o Nalini Chakma, Vill: Kerengchari
4. Sunil Kanti Chakma, s/o Kalimon Chakma, Vill: Kerengchari
On the other side, another army group commanded by Subedar Mizan of Taktanala camp under Farua union conducted an operation in the Taktanala village and held a shopkeeper named Chandra Tanchangya, a member of Farua union parishad named Ranyabi Chakma and her husband. The army compelled Ranyabi and her husband move along with them throughout the night during their searching operation. Later on, though they released the couple but held Chandra Tanchangya and handed him over to the police.
5. Chandra Tanchangya (38), a local shopkeeper
On 8 December 2017, a group of army and police force conducted an operation at dawn at Asambosti under Rangamati municipality and arrested Shubha Mangal Chakma, Chairman of Bilaichari Upazila Parishad and his son from a rental house. During this time, they searching party entered into the boundary by breaking the gate, surrounded the house and kept banging the doors and windows while pointing their weapons as if an armed encounter was being taken place, thus causing formidable situation in and around. At certain state, when the wife of Shubha Mangal Chakma opened the door, the assault forces pushed her back and got into the bedroom directly and began searching all other rooms including the kitchen indecently while holding Shubha Mangal Chakma who was ordered that he would have to go to the police station without informing him about the reason of his taking in arrest. The police also told his son that he would also have to go to the police station. The police personnel were so in hurry that no time was being given to Shubha Mangal Chakma for warm cloths. It was learnt that some 30/40 police and army personnel took part in the operation. The arrestees are:
1. Shubha Mangal Chakma (58), Chairman, Bilaichari Upazila Parishad and also President of PCJSS Bilaichari Thana Committee
2. Samar Bijoy Chakma (25), s/o Subha Mangal Chakma
The attested 8 persons including the Bilaichari Upazila Parishad Chairman were produced before the magistrate court on 8 December 2017 and then sent to the jail. Afterwards, the police demanded for twice for Remand on 10 and 12 December. Finally the magistrate court on 17 December 2017 granted police remand for one day. On the other end, a group of army under Subedar Mizan’s command from Taktanala Army camp conducted an operation in Royapara village of Taktanala area under Farua Union at around 2:30 a.m. on 8 December 2017 and apprehended the following persons:
1. Putul Tanchangya (38), s/o Ankara Tanchangya
2. Aamardhan Tanchangya (40), s/o Muktodhan Tanchangya
3. Siddika Tanchangya (36), s/o Biyong Tanchangya
4. Bodhichandra Tanchangya, s/o Maghachandra Tanchangya
5. Janachandra Tanchangya (45),
6. Balik Chandra Tanchangya (42)s/o Bijoy Tanchangya
The said apprehended persons were handed over to the Bilaichari police station. As no allegation was found against them they were released under custodianship of Anil Kanti Chakma, Secretary of Bilaichari Union Parishad.
On 11 December 2017 at about 1:00 a.m. a group of army from Gachkabachara camp under Bilaichari Upazila of Rangamati district held up Kamal Chakma (37) s/o Chikko Chakma, President of PCJSS Village Committee from his house in Ijachari village under Kengrachari union of Bilaichari Upazila, waking up him at midnight. He was made walk about along with them throughout the night following which he was taken to the Digholchari army camp and subjected to inhuman torture. At this, Kamal Chakma received fatal injuries in his waist and spine. On 12 December 2017, the army personnel took him to Bilaichari Police Station but the police did not agree to accept him in such critical condition. Consequently, the army obliged to admit Kamal Chakma to Bilaichari Health Complex in no time. He was handed over to the police on 13 December 2017 and later he was sent to the jail after producing to the magistrate court.
The following 4 innocent villagers from Bilaichari Bazar and Farua area were held up by a group of army of Farua army camp on 12 December 2017. But after meting out harassment, they were released.
1. Alo Ranjan Dewan (35), s/o Mriganka Dewan, Bilaichari Bazaar area
2. Ramthar Pankhua (38), Bilaichari, Punkhua para
3. Shubha Lal Tanchangya (40), s/o Purna Tanchangya, Egochyachari
4. Priya Lal Tanchangya (35), s/o Purna Tanchangya
Cases filed against 21 persons including PCJSS members in Rangamati twon, 7 persons arrested
Some unidentified persons attacked upon Jharna Khisa, Vice-President of Rangamati district Women Awami League and caused her to sustain injuries around 1:00 am on 7 December 2017 in Valedi area within the Rangamati Municipality. Centering this incident, a fabricated case was filed with the Kotwali Police Station against 21 innocent persons and PCJSS members including the PCJSS district committee President, Subarna Chakma and Rangamati Thana Committee Vice-President Ankur Chakma.
The police arrested 7 innocent persons from Vedvedi and Rangapani areas of Rangamati town at midnight by 12:30 am on 8 December 2017. The persons arrested are:
1. Mangal Moni Chakma (26), s/o late Puspa Chandra Chakma, Autosikshaw driver, Vedivedi
2. Rikon Chakma Mombu (28), s/o Monti Kumar Chakma, Auto Rikshaw driver, Vedvedi
3. Sadhan Chakma (28), s/o Kalabija Chakma, Daily wage earner, Vedivedi
4. Kalanjit Chakma (22), s/o Late Krishna Mangal Chakma, Barber, Vedvedi
5. Rupam Chakma (28), s/o Sadhan Chandra Chakma, Student, Vedvedi
6. Babu Chakma Emerson (27) s/o Gulo Moni Chakma, Rangapani
7. Riton Chakma (29), s/o LateUma Chan Chakma, Rangapani
The persons arrested were produced to the court and then sent to the jail. Afterward, the police sought 5-days remand of arrestees on 10 December. On 12 December, 2017, the court granted 1 day remand during hearing that day.
On 10 December 2017, the police held 3 youths from Rajban Vihar area but they were not sent to the court and presumably, they may be released later.
Fabricated case filed against 9 persons including PCJSS members in Jurachari, 9 arrested
A case was filed with the Jurachari Police Station by its Sub-Inspector Md. Moin Uddin against 9 innocent villagers and members of the associate organizations of PCJSS and 15–20 unknown persons on 7 December 2017. The persons alleged are:
1. Chitra Kumar Chakma, General Secretary, Jurachari Juba Samiti Union Branch
2. Maya Chan Chakma, President, PCJSS, Jurachari Than Branch
3. Sumit Chakma, General Secretary, PCJSS Jurachari Thana Branch
4. Palash Chakma (35), Organizing Secretary, Parbatya Chattagram Juba Samiti Jurachari Branch
5. Monish Chakma (38), Organizing Secretary, Parbatya Chattagram Juba Samiti, Jurachari Thana Branch
6. Ripon Chakma Bawm, member, Parbatya Chattagram Juba Samiti, Jurachari branch
7. Pono Chakma (32), Madhya Balukhali
8. Gaji Chakma (42)
9. Bujya Chakma (55)
The conspiring case was filed alleging the aforesaid members of PCJSS and its associate organizations to have involved in killing of one Arabindu Chakma who was killed by an unidentified gang in Magbazaar area of Debachara under Jurachari Upazila in the evening of 5 December 2017. It is there that the police have the jurisdiction to file up case against unknown persons as complainant at such circumstance when there stands none to file up any case. But in this event, the police filed the case against the leaders and members of PCJSS by names the procedure of which is extra-judicial and is absolutely motivated.
The army and police of Jurachari police station and army zone arrested 5 innocent persons including the PCJSS members from Jurachari proper area between 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on 10 December 2017. The persons taken in arrest are:
1. Hemanta Chakma (22), s/o Ranjit Karbari, Barkalak, Dumdumya union
2. Robi Dhan (21), s/o Amrita Lal Chakma, Upazilla Sadar, Jurachari Union
3. Manas Chakma (23), s/o Lakkhi Ram Chakma, Dhamai Para, Bonjogichara Union
4. Lakkhi Lal Chakma (44), Dumdumya Union
5. Uttam Kumar Chakma (45), s/o Niranjan Chakma, Chowmuhani, Banjogichara Union
It is to be mentioned that Lakkhi Lal Chakma is an elected member of Ward No.6 of Dumdumya union. The persons appear in the first three serial numbers were carrying firewood for funeral of one departed Tarit Kanti Chakma by the time they were arrested. The army personnel also arrested one Uttam Kumar Chakma who is a member of PCJSS Bonjogichara Union Committee.
On 11 December 2017, a troop of army from Jurachari army zone conducted searching operation in 5 Jumma’s houses including the house of Chairman of Jurachari Sadar Union Parishad under Jurachari Upazila. It was learnt that the army personnel firstly, searched the rental house of Shantiraj Chama, Chairman of Dumdumya Union Parishad at 1:30 am. By then the Chairman was not in the house. Afterwards, the army searching party simultaneously conducted search in the houses of Manish Talukder (30), s/o Anil Talukder; Rupam Chakma (37), s/o Binoy Kumar Chakma; Khokan Chakma (38), s/o Abin Chakma and Subhas Jyoti Chakma (28), s/o Tarun Mohan Chakma during which they ransacked the household articles. It is worth-mentioning that Mansh Talukder is Organizing Secretary of Jurachari thana branch of Parbatya Chattagram Juba Samiti.
3 PCJSS members came under attack of Awami Leaguers in Kaptai and Rajasthali
On 7 December 2017, while the strike in protest against killing of Arabindu Chakma, the Awami League, Juba League and Chhatra League workers attacked upon 2 PCJSS members in Raikhali Union of Kaptai Upazila under Rangamati district. A gang of miscreants led by local Chatra League President Shahabuddin and General Secretary Mizan manhandled PCJSS Raikhali Union Committee member Ushamong Marma (39) from Dongnala village under Raikhali union and took him towards the Bengali-inhabited Kodala village while still beating him around 11:00 am. Afterward, the local people rescued Ushamong Marma in critical condition from Dongnala village and got him admitted to Chandraghona Missionary Hospital. Ushamong Marma received fatal injuries and sustained severe bleeding.
On the other side, the Awami League workers attacked the PCJSS Raikhali Union Committee Organizing Secretary Konghla Aung Marma (40) at Raikhali Bazaar of Kaptai Upazilla around 12:30 pm. By this time the local people rushed to the spot and rescued Konghla Aung Marma in severely wounded state and they got him admitted to the Boroichari Hospital. Konghla Aung Marma sustained fatal wounds in hands and legs.
The Office Secretary of PCJSS Rajasthali branch Kyawsang Thoai Marma (38) became under attack by a gang of Awami Leaguers in Jautha Khamar village of Bangal Halia area under Rajasthali Upazila of Rangamati hill district around 12:15 am on 8 December 2017. He received fatal wounds in his head and ears. He was admitted to Boroichari Hospital.
On 10 December 2017, around 12:00 am, a group of army led by Warrant Officer Sarwar from Rajasthali Sub-zone trespassed into the rented office of PCJSS Rajasthali thana branch. It was learnt that while the army went to the said office they found it already locked up. Then they asked the owner of the office house living nearby if anybody stay in the office. The house owner replied that no one lived there but the office remains open by day and gets closed leaving it locked up after work. The army personnel sought the key from the house owner and got into the office after collecting the key from the house owner but after having a look by the left and right, they walked out of the rooms and went away.