Press conference and human chain against Borkha Party

THE Peace-loving People of Laxmichari has held a press conference and a human chain in Khagrachari town, demanding the arrest of Borkha Party members who they say have established a reign of terror in Laxmichari. .

Held at Contractor’s Association Building at Swanirbhor at 11am today, the press conference was attended by headmen, village chiefs, businessmen, teachers and village elders of Laxmichari Upazila.

In a written statement, Pratul Kanti Chakma, a village doctor, said: “A terrorist group popularly known as Borkha Party has been engaged in unlawful activities including murder, kidnapping and extortion for a fairly long time. The common people are completely fed up with them,
while peaceful environment has banished from the area. From common villagers to elected public representatives – all tremble in fear of them, because the terrorists enjoy support and shelter from the local civil administration as well as the army.”

Mr Chakma accused Laxmichari Zone commander Lt. Col. Salauddin Al Murad of patronizing the Borkha Party terrorists, citing instances in which both the army and Borkha members carried out joint operations in the area.

He held the Borkha Party members responsible for the death of UPDF leader Ruikhoi Marma and said since it came into being in June 2009 the Borkha Party has kidnapped 11 persons and tortured 30 others.

“The Borkha Party members have turned Jurgachari into their den and carry out their terrorist activities from there under the nose of the local administration.” he alleged.

He said a number of criminal cases have been filed against the Brokha Party members but no action has been taken so for by the government.

“Not only that, the local administration has dropped their names from the charge sheet in a case filed in connection with the murder of Rui Khoi Marma” he added.

In the statement Pratul further said that army personnel from Goyachari camp in Ramgarh had captured two Borkha members -- Peda Chakma (25) and Majhi Chakma (30) – with firearms on 25 March last year, but had to let them go under order from then Laxmichari zone commander Lt. Col. Shariful Islam.

He put forward three points of demand which included arrest of all members of the Borkha Party terrorists including their ring leader Anil Chakma and bringing them to justice; stopping patronization of them by civil as well as military administration and restoring peace
in the area by providing security to the life and property of the people.

Rajen Chakma and Pratul Kanti Chakma entertained questions from the journalists at the press conference.

Sureh Kanti Chakma, a Jumma businessman, Assim Chakma, Karbari or chief of Sumanta Para village, Supriti Bikash Chakma, headman of Shuknachari Mouza were among those present at the press conference.

After the press conference they formed a human chain in front of Khagrachari District Council office to press their demand for the arrest of the Borkha Party terrorists.

Press release: Rajen Chakma, Laxmichari
.............................
Source :chtnews.com