News No. 127/2011, May 29, 2011
A MEMBER of the Jana Samhati Samiti (M N Larma) has been shot dead by its rival faction led by Santu Larma in Baghaichari under Rangamati district.
The deceased has been identified as Sonimoy Chakma alias Sohel, 32, son of Dulal Kanti Chakma of village Mahajon Para under Tulaban Union of Baghaichari.
Sources said four Santu group men came to Talukder Para at Baghaichari Upazila headquarters in two motor bikes at 3:55pm today and shot him at point blank range, killing him on the spot.
Then the miscreants drove away towards Shijokdoar, a stronghold of the Santu loyalists.
The killing of Sohel comes seven days after the killing of four UPDF leaders including Animesh Chakma by Santu loyalists at Subolong in Rangamati.
In another incident, in Moratila area of Panchari under Khagrachari district in the afternoon today the Santu loyalists shot at three JSS (M N Larma) activists.
However, no one was hurt.
After the massacre of the four UPDF leaders there was a huge outburst of protests against Santu Larma and his murderous gangs in the CHT.
UPDF enforced a dawn-to-dusk blockade of roads and waterways in Rangamati district on 23 May.
Facebook, blogs and other internet discussion groups were full of condemnation of the killing.
Despite this, the Santu group continues to refuse to stop killing its opponents and sit for dialogues with UPDF.
National and international human rights organizations also continue to overlook, if not condone, such killings, while the government and army provides covert support to the Santu group.
Knowledgeable Jummas fear that more such incidents are likely to recur in the coming days.
They think national and international human rights organizations should take a firm stand against Santu group, which is in charge of the Regional Council, and persuade it to comply with the international standard of human rights.
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