Ushatan Talukder, independent candidate (lion symbol) supported by the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), rejected result of the election of 299-Parbatya Rangamati constituency in the 11th Parliamentary Election. He demanded immediate relaese of arbitrarily arrested persons of his poll workers and supporters during election campaign without condition. He said that the Election Commission will have to be responsible for any undesirable situation arising out of the ground, if the election is not declared to be cancelled.
This statement was made by Ushatan Talukder, also Vice President of PCJSS, at a post-election press conference held at Sabarang Restaurant of Rajbari in Rangamati. Facilitated by Sharat Jyoti Chakma, member-secretary of Independent Candidate Ushatan Talukder Election Conducting Committee, the press conference was attended by chief election agent Udayan Tripura, PCJSS central committe member Sathoai Prue Marma, Soukhin Chakma, Jarita Chakma and Dhira Kumar Chakma, vice president of PCJSS Rangamati unit Kishore Kumar Chakma and general secretary Nilotpal Khisa et al.
The elections in the three constituency of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) during the 11th Parliamentary Elections was held with huge vote robbing by adopting unprecedented unfair means, occupation of polling centers, disallowing the opponent polling agents entering into polling centres or driving them out of the centres, preventing the voters from casting their votes saying that their votes already been given or disallowing them for not bearing their National ID cards and so on, by the Awami League in association with the administration, election commission, law enforcement and security forces and especially making use of the armed reformist faction of PCJSS, like other parts of the country.
In this press statement, Ushatan Talukder said that he has contested in the 11th Parliamentary Election in support of the PCJSS as an independent candidate (with lion symbol) for 299-Parbatya Rangamati constituency with a vow to resolve the CHT crisis and to ensure balanced pro-people and environment-friendly development in the hill tracts. The inhabitants of Rangamati hill districts, better to be termed as heroes who had voted him to win in the 10th Parliamentary Election with huge number of votes on 5 January 2014 so as to enable him to march ahead towards establishing peace and translate his commitment of balanced development into a reality in CHT. After having been elected, during the last five years as Mr. Talukder has been extra-ordinarily vocal both in the parliament and outside advocating for implementation of CHT Accord towards establishing perennial peace and balanced development in CHT, the inhabitants of Rangamati hills have also came forward as before in support of his candidature in the 11th Parliamentary Election.
On 30 December 2018, during the 11th Parliamentary Election, the Awami League, in association with the administration, election commission, law enforcement and security forces and especially making use of the armed reformist faction of PCJSS, has snatched away the victory through committing to robbing votes by adopting unprecedented unfair means, occupation of polling centers, disallowing the opponent polling agents entering into polling centres or driving them out of the centres, preventing the voters from casting their votes saying that their votes already been given or disallowing them for not bearing their National ID cards and so on.
Mr. Takulder alleged that at the eve of polling hours around 8:00 am, the Awami League workers, in association with the local administration, law enforcement and security forces captured 17 polling centers in Longadu Upazila, 17 in Baghaichari Upazila, 6 centers in Kaptai Upazila, 13 centers in Kaukhali Upazila, 2 in Naniarchar Upazila, 2 in Bilaichari Upazila and 1 in Rajasthali Upazila and prevented polling agents of lion symbol (Ushatan Talukder) and sheaf of paddy symbol (BNP) from entering into the polling centers. This incident of violence was brought to notice of the concerned Presiding Officers and law & order forces including the security forces but to no avail. During the vote casting time at 12:00 pm, written allegation against such atrocities was though submitted by Ushatan Talukder to the Returning Officer as well as Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati district, the administrative authorities did not undertake any measure to address the allegation. For instances-
The Awami League workers prevented the voters from casting their votes in the Kaptai Government High School center. The administration and law & order forces including the security forces prevented the voters from casting their votes in the Bolipara Government Primary School center on plea of bearing no National ID cards along with them. The voters who came to cast their votes were also prevented from entering into the polling centers in Raikhali Government Primary School center, Boroichari Government Primary School center and KPM High School center under Kaptai Upazila. The Juba League terrorists of the ruling party drove away my polling agents and captured the Bhalukkya Government Primary School center and while preventing the voters from entering into the polling center, they cast huge fake votes in favor of ruling Awami League boat symbol candidate, themselves. This prompted an illustrative record whereby the vote casting in Boroichari Government Primary School center read 93% while the Narangiri Government Primary School Center read 92% – the record of which is absolutely abnormal.
Mr. Talukder also added that the Awami League terrorists, in association with the local administration, law & order forces including the security forces captured the Chailyatali Government Primary School center under Bhsanya Adam Union of Longadu Upazila, drove away polling agent of lion and sheaf of paddy symbol, captured the center and cast fake votes to their fill. In the Khagrachari Government Primary School center under the same union, the Bengali settlers equipped with batons and sticks, prevented the tribal voters and while driving away polling agents of Ushatan Talukder, they cast vast fake votes in favor of the boat symbol. As a result, the record of vote casting went up 91% in Bhangamura Government Primary School center and 89% vote casting in Khagrachari Government Primary School center the result of which is, usually considered to be of abnormal. The Jumma voters of Gulshakhali, Bogachator and Bhasanya Adam Unions were attacked by the Bengali settlers and thereby prevented them from casting their votes. At this, some 10-12 Jumma people were wounded. Of whom, as Pratul Chakma, Badhi Dhan Chakma and Shubhalokkha were in critical condition, they were admitted to Longadu Health Complex.
The Jumma voters coming to Marishyachar Government Primary School center of Bogachator Union came under attack. At the surprise attack, some 40-50 Jumma voters sustaining injuries got blocked in the Marishyachar Muslim Block Central Jam-E-Mosque. Many of them fled into the nearby jungle. In Bhaibonchara Government Primary School center, polling agents of lion and sheaf of paddy symbol were beaten up and drove away and then having the center captured, fake votes were cast to their fill. At this incident 2 Jumma voters received fatal injuries. The armed reformist group and Awami League terrorists jointly captured the Hajachara Government Primary School center of Mainimukh Union and Korolyachari Government Primary School center of Atarokchara Union already captured since that morning and fake votes were cast at large scale.
The armed reformist group and Awami League terrorists captured the polling centers namely, Khedarmara Government Primary School center, Pablakhali Government Primary School center, Uluchari Government Primary School center of Khedarmar Union under Baghaichari Upazila; they prevented the indigenous Jumma voters going to their centers and ordered to go back saying that their votes were already given and then the terrorists cast wide-ranged fake votes. This resulted in 97% vote casting in Rupali Government Primary School center and 95% in Kishaloy Government Primary School centers the rate of which is considered to be highly abnormal. By that time, one Rupayan Chakma of Tulaban village under Baghaichari Upazila sadar, got severe injuries in the joint attack of the armed reformist groups and Awami League terrorists. He sustained head injuries and arm fracture the incident of which prompted tension between the Bengali settlers and the local Jumma people. At this, the BGB personnel purposefully called upon only the Jumma voters asking them to keep apart and go away. The reformist armed terrorists beaten up Ven. Arjya Kirti Stabir, abbot of Nabaratna Buddhist Temple of Tulaban Union and injured him seriously.
The Awami League terrorists prevented the Jumma voters from casting their votes in Burighat Punarbasan Government Primary School center of Burighat Union under Naniarchar Upazila. The reformist armed terrorists captured the Naniarchar High School center and prevented the Jumma voters from casting their votes. The same was done in cases with the Naniarchar Government Punarbasan Primary School center and Bogachari Punarbasan Government Primary School centers wherein wide-scale fake votes were cast by them.
In Nimna Kochukhali Government Primary School center of Ghagra Union under Kaukhali Upazila, the ballot papers were snatched and torn off from hands of the Jumma voters. The Awami League terrorists prevented the Ghagra Union Ideal KG School center-bound Jumma voters on the way. The Awami League terrorists captured the Poyapara Model High School center of Kalampati Union and cast fake votes. The Awami League terrorists led by S M Choudhury and with assistance of the army cast wide-scale fake votes in Dabua Government Primary School center of Fatikchari Union. At least in 13 polling centers under Kaukhali Upazila, the Awami League terrorists captured and cast fake votes to their fill.
The army send back the country-made motor engine boats carrying Jumma voters bound for Kiching Adam Government Primary School center of Bandhukbhanga union under Rangamati sadar upazila. In Assambosti Government Primary School center, the polling agents of independent candidate lion and sheaf of apddy symbol caught red-handed one person casting fake votes for favor of boat symbol of Awami League candidate and they apprehended him to the administration but the Awami League leader got the the accused released identifying him to have been an Awami League worker.
Incidents of prevention from casting votes and attacks took place in Barunachari Zone Government Primary School center of Subalong union, Bhushanchara Government Primary School center and Choto Harina Government Primary School center under Barkal Upazila. The Awami League terrorists captured the said polling centers and cast wide-scale fake votes indiscriminately.
Birottam Tanchangya, Convener of Bilaichari Upazila Election Conducting Committee was kept detained by one army RP Habilder. The army held up and took away my polling agent of Goainchari Government Primary School named Shambhu Lal Tanchangya alias Satej Tanchangya. The army prevented the Jumma voters from casting their votes in Tarachari Non-Government Primary School center of Farua union under Bilaichari Upazila. The army also held and took away Milon Tanchangya, my polling agent to Farua army camp around 1:00 pm. The army held and took away Jayatton Tanchangya, local UP member, at Bilaichari High School center under Bilaichari union. The army held Gyanendu Bikash Chakma, Information and Publicity Secretary of PCJSS of Bilaichari unit and took him away on his way to Kengrachari Government Primary School center and detained him in their camp from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. The DGFI personnel threatened my polling agent Priyo Ratan Tanchangya asking him to leave the center immediately.
The Bangalhalia Government Primary School center under Banglahalia Union of Rajasthali upazilla, was captured and fake votes were cast widely by the Awami League terrorists led by Ngo U Maung Marma around 10:00 am. Earlier, on 14 December 2018, the Awami League terrorists led by Musa Matobbar, General Secretary of Rangamati District Awami League Unit, occupied the space, which was already permitted for my street meeting, and intercepted my street meeting that day.
Thus the ruling Awami League, by merit of the state power and direct assistance of administration, law enforcement and security forces, captured at least 60 polling centers in Rangamati constituency wherein they cast wide-scale fake votes. Matter did not end up here, it was by abusing the state power, my election workers and supporters were given threatening, sent to jail entangling in fabricated cases, kidnapped by Awami League with the help of security forces, law & order forces and the armed terrorists of reformist group.
On 24 December 2018, the army of Bangalhalia camp went to Thuihla Marma’s house at Dak Bunglow village adjacent to Bangalhalia Bazaar under Rajasthali Upazila and searched the house and threatened of taking him arrested. Thuihla Marma, Convener of Bangalhalia Election Conducting Committee, was not present in the house by then. As Thuihla was not available, the army rampaged the household articles and harassed his wife in many ways. On 25 December 2018, the police illegally arrested Samiron Tanchangya, the local convener of Election Conducting Committee. He was shown to have been connected with an old case and then he was sent to jail. On 26 December 2018, the army of Farua camp planted country-made weapons by theft and on allegation of keeping illegal fire arms, they arrested Bonkim Chandra Tanchangya, member of Bilaichari Election Conducting Committee, his son Papel Tanchangya and his brother member-Secretary of Bilaichari Election Conducting Committee Jatin Kanti Tanchangya, from Tarachari village of Farua Union and sent them to the jail.
On 28 December 2018, the army from Alekkhyang camp arbitrarily arrested Samir Kanti Tanchangya, convener of Election Concudting Committee of Pankhopara Government Primary School center, Manju Kumar Tanchangya, polling agent the said center and Nirbhoy Tanchangya. After meting out various forms of harassment, they were released from Bilaichari army zone. On that day, the army from Taktanala army camp searched and thoroughly rampaged the houses of member-secretary of Robin Chandra Tanchangya, Nilu Kumar Tanchangya, and Bhorat Kumar Tanchangya. On 28 December 2018, the police picked up Sohel Choudhury, member-secretary of Kaukhali Election Conducting Committee from his house and on the other side the police and Intelligence Department forces picked up Bacchu Marma, my election worker from Chitmaram Bazaar of Kaptai Upazila. Later, they were released in turn of paying cash in bribe. Thus, even a day or 2/3 days prior to Election Day, my election campaign was obstructed by way of taking my election workers and supporters arrested, searching their houses and posing intimidation.
The tale did not end up here, the armed reformist terrorists under patronization of Awami League and army, went out for cellphone calls to the voters of at least 9 centers under Baghaichari Upazila and 4 centers under Longadu Upazila giving them threatening of life, if they had chosen for the lion symbol in place of the boat symbol. On 25 December in the night, one my supporter named Sunil Chakma was kidnapped from Ward No. 6 of Bangaltali union of Baghaichari upazila while he was campaigning for lion. This gave rise to massive panic among the people of all walks of life. Threatening and kidnapping of this kind is for being a crime, a violation of Election Code of Conduct and a direct threat to holding fair, fear-free, impartial and acceptable election, repeated submission of allegation to the Returning Officer could not bring heads of the administration in taking proper measure. The most irony is that though the local Awami League leadership and security forces have been too vocal against the illegal arms users but it is they who have provided help the reformist armed personnel in many ways against my election campaign. To that end, a group of reformist armed element was escorted to Bangalhalia under coverage of the Awami League and security forces on 21 December 2018. Besides, the army also conducted searching operation in the houses of various villages including 4 innocent villagers at Nolbonya and Durchari villages of Durchari Union in Baghaichari Upazila as an attempt to obstruct casting votes for favor of lion symbol. The army rampaged the household things while searching. As a result, panic and lacking of security began to reign throughout the hills in and around.
It is fact that the election can never be acceptable as it has been an unprecedented vote robbery that began through wide-scale unfairness, occupation of polling centers, attacking upon opponent polling agents, disallowing their entrance into polling booths, even driving them out if already they were inside, prevention of voters from casting votes by saying that their votes had already been given and disallowing the voters on plea of not bearing their National ID cards, etc. At this, the constitutional right to suffrage of inhabitants of Rangamati constituency has been robbed. The inhabitants of Rangamati hill district will never accept at heart.
Ushatan Talukder concluded his statement in the press conference by extending his sincere thanks and gratitude to the voters who were more than one lakh amidst attack, held up, threatening and various prevention on part of the Awami League, security forces, intelligence agencies, administration and armed reformist elements and to those voters who were deprived from their right to suffrage in the face of unfairness of the ruling party.