News No. 05/2012, January 27, 2012
THE army arrested four members of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) in Subolong under Barkal Upazila of Rangamati district,
UPDF and other sources said.
The arrested have been identified as Sumonto Chakma, 28, son of Guno Dhar Chakma of village Morachengey Bakchari of Naniachar Upazila, Samiron Chakma, 25, son of Hossyo Chakma of village Maischari under Barkal Upazila, Doyaron Chakma, 27, son of Sotyojit Chakma of village Headvoria under Barkal Upazila and Tar Chakma, 25, son of Shubha Dhan Chakma of village Gobchari under Jurachari Upazila.
According to sources, on 25 January, at about 7pm, a group of army personnel led by Nazmul, commander of Subolong camp, carried out an operation in areas adjacent to Subolong bazaar and arrested the UPDF men from a house.
The army took them to the camp and tortured them severely.
The next day, 26 January, the army placed rickety arms in their hands and then handed them over to the police.
A false case has been filed against them under Arms Act.
Sona Moni Chakma, a UPDF leader, condemned the arrest, saying:
‘It was a part of a government plan to weaken UPDF.’
‘The claim that arms and ammunitions were recovered from them is a total lie. Why on earth would they roam near an army camp with weapons in hand?’ he asked.
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