Hill Voice, 2 October 2020, Rangamati: Army-backed Reformists and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists stationed at Jibtali in Rangamati sadar upazila, with the direct help of the army, picked up two Jumma villagers to their base (hideout) and beaten up them and later released one, but handed over another to a local army camp.

According to local sources, on 01 October 2020 Thursday at around 1:00 pm a group of army and some members of the Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists led by Khokon Chakma and Biro Lakkho Chakma jointly conducted searching at the nearby village of Bakchari, Dhulyachari Bridge, Gurachari, Harinchara, Aungchila Karbari Para etc.

Meanwhile, Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorist members, with the help of the army, picked up Sonadhan Chakma (40), son of Kartik Chandra Chakma from his own tea shop in Harinchhara village, and Laichi Mong Marma (38), son of Teu Mahajan Marma from his own house of Aungchila Karbari Para and took them to their base (hideout) in Jibtali.

It is learnt that the terrorists took the two persons to their base and beaten up them severely. The terrorists later released Sonadhan Chakma at around 5:00 pm, but handed over Laichi Mong Marma to the local Jibtali army camp at around 6:00 pm.

After that, some elders of Anghila village along with local resident Md. Zahir Ahmed went to the army camp and then they made Laichi Mong Marma release from army custody.

It is learnt that Laichi Mong Marma is the chairman of the village committee of Anghila Karbari Para of Jana Sanghati Samiti.

Recently, it has been reported that the army and Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists have jointly been conducting regular patrols and search operations in the surrounding Jumma villages and lake areas and harassing the people in various ways.

On 30 September 2020, at 8:00 am, a Rangamati-bound launch from Bilachhari was forced by Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists to dock at their base (hideout) at Jibtali. Then, Lakshmi Bijay Chakma (28), son of Natun Chandra Chakma of Kalabanya village in Barkal upazila and Fara Chakma, son of Mangal Kumar Chakma of Dhulyachhari village in Jibtali union were dropped from the launch. Alleging that they have links with Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), the terrorists took them to their hideout and tortured them by pouring water on their noses. Later, the terrorists released them in the custody of Jatin Chandra Tanchanga, headman of Kaushalyaghona mouza.

On the other hand, Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists are threatening students namely SSC candidate Arun Chakma (17), SSC candidate Mohim Chakma (16), SSC candidate Ratan Chakma (17) and Nabajyoti Chakma of Garakaba village in Magban Union. The terrorists ordered Mahim Chakma’s father Nabajyoti Chakma to pay Tk. 2 lakh and Arun Chakma’s father Nishi Kumar Chakma to pay Tk. 40,000. The terrorists threatened to kill their sons otherwise.

On 28 September 2020, the Army Zone Authority directed the Chairman-Members, Karbaris, Headmen and Fishermen of Bandukbhanga, Balukhali and Magban Unions of Rangamati Sadar Upazila to be present in the zone. While they went to meet army, at that time, two Majors of army authorities brought charges against them for providing extortion to terrorists. The Majors threatened them with dire consequences if they do not provide information about terrorists.

One of the fishermen, who did not want to be named, said that the Reformist and UPDF (Democratic) terrorists, under the auspices of the army, regularly extorted money, beaten and abducted people from the fishermen to general public, but the army did not take any action against the terrorists, rather continued to threaten the innocent fishermen.