Hill Voice, 1 May 2022, Rangamati: It has been alleged that an innocent Jumma of Kaptai Union area under Kaptai Upazila was arrested planting arms and three more villagers were beaten by the army of the Gabaghona Army Camp of Jibatali Union of Rangamati Sadar Upazila under Rangamati Hill District.

The arrested person was identified as Bimal Chakma (17), son of Mahesh Sur Chakma, village- Gurochhari, Kaptai Union.

On the other hand, the beaten victim villagers are- (1) Chaithowai Marma (65), son of unknown, Village-Harinchhara Bazar Area, Kaptai Union, (2) Ushathowai Marma (25), son of Chakra Aung Marma, Village- Harinchhara Market Area, Kaptai Union, (3) Ubaching Marma (24), son of Suipru Marma, Village- Harinchhara Bazar Area, Kaptai Union.

According to local sources, today in the morning of May 1, 2022, a group of army numbering 25 led by Captain Md. Mahmudul, Commander of Gabaghona Army Camp, along with three speedboats, went on patrol in Harinchhara Bazar area of Kaptai Upazila.

At that time, the army personnel forcibly took the four persons to the Gabaghona army camp. The four were kept in detention for about half a day by the army and beaten severely.

At around 2:00 pm, army personnel from the Gabaghona army camp released Chaithowai Marma, Ushathowai Marma and Ubaching Marma. On the other hand, it was reported that planting arms the army personnel handed over Bimal Chakma to Rangamati Kotwali Police Station.

Later, army and police have claimed in various media outlets that the arrested person to be an active member of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). However, several local sources of PCJSS said that Bimal Chakma was an innocent villager and not a member of PCJSS.

On the other hand, the claiming of the army to recover one SMG, magazine, country-made rifle, Ramda (Machete) and 15 rounds of ammunition from Bimal Chakma’s house was completely false, fabricated and conspiratorial, said that sources of PCJSS.