JSS kidnaps two PCP members in Mahalchari

On 15 November an armed gang belonging to the Jana Samhati Samiti abducted two activists of the Hill Student’s Council, a front organisation of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), from their homes in Durpujya Nal under Mahalchari Upazilla in Khagrachri District.

The armed gang kidnapped Joyoti Chakma and Marconi Chakma at gun point on the night of 15 November and took them to an undisclosed location. Their Family members and relatives contacted the local JSS leaders, who assured them that they would try their best to persuade their armed members to set them free.

Of the two, Joyoti Chakma is the convenor of the Mahalchari Unit of the Hill Student’s Council, while Marconi Chakma is a former member of the UPDF.

The Khagrachari Unit of the Hill Student’s Council yesterday, 18 November, staged demonstration in protest against the kidnapping and demanded their immediate release. But surprisingly the programme was completely blacked out in the local as well as national media outlets.

The Student Council will also stage demonstration and bring out a procession in Dhaka to demand the release of their members.

The armed members of the Jana Samhati Samiti, who operates under the patronage of the Bangladesh Military, are accused of massive human rights violations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They are playing a role similar to that of the Jingaweed militias in Durfur of Sudan and the Indonesia-backed armed gangs in the aftermath of the Independence vote in East Timor in 1998.

The UPDF has been calling for a cessation of hostilities and peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict. All sections of the Jumma society as well as members from reputed international organisations repeatedly urged the Jana Samhati Samiti leaders to shun violence and sit down for talks with UPDF, but to no avail. The JSS leaders have spurned all their requests and continued armed assaults against UPDF and innocent villagers.

It is widely believed that the JSS leaders have struck a secret deal with the ruling BNP-led coalition government upon whose support their political survival depends. The government can remove the JSS leaders from the Regional Council at will and this means that unless you are subservient to the government you are no longer in the RC.

Despite its serious reservations about the Accord, UPDF has pledged full support for its implementation, but yet the JSS leaders have turned down the offer thereby giving an impression that they are not willing to displease the government.

Prepared by Press Section, Publications and Publicity Department, United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), November 19, 2005.