BENGALI settlers at rally in Naniachar said they would attack UPDF rallies in future.
The rally was organised by the so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon, a military-backed settler outfit, at Upazila ground in Naniachar in Rangamati district on December 5.
Earlier, UPDF was denied permissions to hold its rally at Upazila ground under the pretext of security.
The settler leaders said they were holding the rally to mark the Naniachar Massacre Day, which actually falls on 17 November.
This represented the first time the settlers observed the day.
Every year, the Jumma organisations observe the day to commemorate those killed in a deadly attack perpetrated by Bengali settlers on that fateful day.
Chaired by Shahed Ali, president of Sama Odhikar Andolon Naniachar Unit and a local BNP leader, the rally was also addressed, among others, by Burighat UP chairman Ayub Ali, Burighat UP member Salam, Sama Odhikar Andolon leader Mizanur Rahman and Mizanur Islam.
The speakers demanded that the government bans UPDF, and urged the local administration not to allow UPDF to hold any rally and public meetings in Naniachar.
“If UPDF is allowed to hold rallies and public meetings in future, then we will attack those rallies and public meetings.” one of the speakers warned.
The gathering is believed to be a counter-rally to a 22-November UPDF rally organised to mark the Naniachar Massacre Day.
The rally could not be held on 17 November as it coincided with Muslim’s Eid festival.
An estimated 1,500 people had taken part in that UPDF rally, in which the speakers gave the Naniachar zone commander a dressing down for the illegal arrest and harassment of PCP and HWF leaders.
The settler rally, on the other hand, was organised at the behest of Naniachar zone commander Lt. Col. Minhazul Islam.
Three days before the rally, he had had a meeting with Ayub Ali and Salam, and ordered them to organise it.
The army also forced the common Bengalis who came to Naniachar bazar to attend the rally.
According to eyewitnesses, they helped the settlers come to the venue in jeeps and buses and in engine boats under a broad security protection.
The army was also deployed all over the area.
Yet, the number of the participants was much lower than expected.
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Source : chtnews.com
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