DYF leader Mikel Chakma arrested

Mikel Chakma, member secretary of the Democratic Youth Forum, a front organisation of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), was arrested by RAB – 7 yesterday (Tuesday) in Chittagong.

He was holding a meeting with DYF supporters at a house at Banikpara of Sagarika road in Pahartali at 6pm when members of the Rapid Action Battalion, led by Major Abdus Samad, commander of RAB - Chittagong Unit, arrested him.

Two members of the Jana Samhati Samiti (Santu group) Kanon Chakma and Raju Chakma helped the RAB to arrest him.

The RAB put a pipe gun in his hand after arrest.

DYF convenor Mithun Chakma condemned the arrest and said, “The claim that RAB has recovered arms and Yaba (drugs) from Mikel Chakma is absolutely false; there is not an iota of truth in it.”

He demanded that Mikel Chakma be released immediately and unconditionally.

The arrest of Mikel Chakma represented his fourth arrest. He was first arrested in 2003 from a house in Bandar area of Chittagong.

He was again arrested from a community centre in Chittagong along with many other UPDF members in 2004 and spent a few days in police
custody.

His third arrest came during the rule of emergency in 2007. This time he was arrested by army from Longudu in Rangamati district while he was on a visit to his village. He was badly tortured and sent to jail.

The DYF will stage demonstrations throughout the CHT in protest against his arrest.

Mikel Chakma has played an important role in reorganising DYF in Chittagong after the end of emergency rule.

He actively helped in organising conferences of DYF Chittagong Metropolitan City unit and Bandar Thana Unit.

He also maintained regular contacts with media persons on behalf of the UPDF.