Hill Voice, 17 April 2020, Rangamati: A Jumma youth named Riaj Chakma (18), detained by the army, has arbitrarily been in the custody of Banajogichara army zone near Jurachari Upazila under Rangamati Hill District. Riaj Chakma is known to be the son of Satya Ranjan Chakma of Chhota Panchari village of Dhamaipara area of ​​No 2 Banajogichhara union of Jurachari upazila.

It is reported that Lokabindu Chakma (59), whose son was allegedly shot dead by unidentified miscreants recently, was present at the house of Birasen Chakma while Riaj Chakma went there on 13 April 2020. At one stage, Lokbindu Chakma took Riaj Chakma to the Jurachari Camp at around 10:30 pm. At that time, the army detained Riaj Chakma.

According to the law, although there is a provision to appear arrestee before the court within 24 hours, however, Riaj Chakma has not yet been handed over to the court or the police. Since the army did not report anything to Riaj Chakma’s family and did not hand him over to the police, the reason for his detention was not known.

It is to be noted that Hemanta Chakma, a member of Ward No. 2 of the Banajogichhara Union, was shot dead on 10 April 2020 at 11:00 pm. It is reported that shortly before the incident, Hemanta Chakma, Chitti Sa Chakma and Riaj Chakma were engaged in drinking together.

The army has detained Riaj Chakma for forcing him to be an eyewitness of the Hemanta Chakma murder case, sources said.

According to another source, Hemanta Chakma’s father took Riaj Chakma to Jurachari police station on that day. When asked by police whether he saw anybody while Hemanta Chakma had been killed, Riaj Chakma said that he saw a few army and reformist armed members. It was reported that the army had detained Riaj soon after knowing this.

It is to be noted that on 11 April 2020, the army apprehended chairman of Dumdumya union under Jurachari upazila, Shanthiraj Chakma and another villager named Anand Chakma, for the murder of Hemanta Chakma. It is also reported that Shantiraj Chakma was later released from the Banajogichhara army zone in Jurachhari.