Hill Voice, 25 June 2020, Rangamati:  Recently, intimidation, extortion and harassment have started in the Jibtali Union under Rangamati Sadar Upazila soon after a group of army-backed Reformist group and UPDF-(Democratic) armed terrorists took up position in the union and it has been accused of growing day by day.

Meanwhile, on 8 June 2020, the Reformist and UPDF-Democratic terrorists with the help of the army shot dead a man named Padma Kumar Chakma alias Premex (40) in Bhajyatli village of Wagga union in Kaptai upazila bordering Kaukhali upazila.

Besides, beatings of people, harassment by calling them to their base, threats, snatching of belongings etc. are continuously increasing. While the security and law enforcement forces are supposed to protect the people and take action against all these terrorists, but on the contrary, the Bangladesh army has been cooperating with these terrorists.

On 13 June 2020, the Reformist miscreants have severely beaten Nirmal Chakma (42), son of Sabinal Chakma, a resident of Landrechhara village in Ward No. 4 of Jibtali Union, by calling him to their base.

According to local sources, the Reformist group recently ordered Nirmal Chakma to meet them. On that day Nirmal Chakma went to meet them accordingly. As soon as they met, the reformists snatched Nirmal Chakma’s mobile phone and started to beat him brutally.

According to the order of the Reformist armed miscreants on 10 June 2020, 1. Refa Chakma (52), wife of Samiran Chakma of Chairman Para, 2. Shantana Chakma (38), wife of Sonamani Chakma of Chairman Para, 3. Chiji Chakma (28), son of Promod Chakma of Chairman Para, 4. Dhan Bikash Chakma (45) son of late Kali Shankar Chakma of Chairman Para (member of Ward No. 9 of Jibatali union), 5. Rupayan Chakma (55), son of Surendra Lal Karbari of Chairman Para (headman, Dhanpada Mouza) and 6. Sudatta Chakma (62), son of Jitendra Lal Karbari of Chairman Para (Chairman of Jibtali Union) went to meet the Reformist group.

At that time, the Reformist group gave the responsibility to the said six persons to bring three members of PCJSS namely Samiran Chakma, Sonamani Chakma and Promod Chakma to their base.

The Reformists also say that if they cannot arrange to bring the three PCJSS member, they will have to give a written promise that Samiran Chakma, Sonamani Chakma and Promod Chakma will not attack them (the Reformists).

If any of the Reformist group is attacked by anybody, the local public representatives will have to take the responsibility, said the Reformists. It may be mentioned that Samiran Chakma, Sonamani Chakma and Promod Chakma are currently on the run for security reasons.

According to local sources, on 8 June 2020, Commanding Officer of Jibtali camp Colonel Md. Tuhin informed the Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) groups stationed at Chairman Para in Jibatali that they would not be able to collect any money (extortion) from the Bengali neighborhoods. However, there will be no objection from the side of the army if extortion from the Jumma villagers and Jumma traders and shopkeepers, boat associations and various other sectors are collected.

It may be mentioned that soon after their arrival of armed group of Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists at Chairman Para in Rangamati Sadar Upazila under the escort of the Bangladesh army on 31 May 2020 at around 5:00 pm, the miscreants beaten up a local government employee named Jagadish Chakma and surrounded Samiran Chakma’s house.

Earlier, there was no presence or activity of Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) armed terrorists in the area. The Bangladesh army conspiratorially brought these terrorists to Jibtali of Rangamati Sadar Upazila providing them security protection.