Hill Voice, 9 September 2021, Rangamati: It has been alleged that two innocent Jumma people including a mentally handicapped person have been inhumanely beaten by the Bangladesh Army in two separate incidents in Jibtali Union of Rangamati Sadar Upazila under Rangamati Hill District. Army personnel also conducted a massive search of a house and ransacked household items.

The two innocent victims were identified as Shanti Kumar Chakma (32) of Panamachara village of Ward No. 9 of Jibtali Union and Khokon Tanchangya (28) of Purtachari village of Jibtali Union. Shanti Kumar Chakma is known to be a fisherman and mentally handicapped. On the other hand, Khokon Tanchangya is an ordinary villager.

According to local sources, a group of army personnel led by Subedar Md. Riaz of S Band Army Camp under Kaptai Army Zone and Capt. Mahbub of Gobaghona army camp under Rangamati Sadra zone conducted a patrolling operation in the Kaptai Lake area of Jibtali. At that time, the army apprehended Shanti Kumar Chakma, who was busy fishing in the lake area and interrogated him. As Shanti Kumar Chakma could not answer the question, the army personnel started beating him severely. At one point, after Shanti Kumar Chakma was known to be mentally handicapped from nearby fishermen, the army released him.

On the other hand, at around 9:00 am on the same day, a group of army from Jibtali Army Camp and S Band Army Camp conducted a patrol operation in Purtachari village of Jibtali Union. At that time, the army personnel entered the house of Lakshicha Chakma and conducted a massive search and ransacked the furniture of the house.

Soon after, army personnel have severely beaten Khokon Tanchangya, who was staying at Laxmicha Chakma’s house, drowning him and pouring water on his nose and mouth. At one point, the army left Khokon Tanchangya. It is known that Khokon Tanchangya is also a very innocent person. He helps in various works in different houses of the village.