HWF observes strike, 18 hurt
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Our correspondent
RANGAMATI, June 12: At least 18 people, including three journalists, were injured Saturday during a strike on road and water ways in Rangamati.
The Hill Women's Federation (HWF), a front of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), imposed the strike in the hill city.
General secretary of HWF Kanika Dewan, alleged that Bengali settlers attacked leaders of the blockade programme without provocation.
Kanika claimed that the organisation leaders brought out a procession from Sapchari of Manikchhari and on the Rangamati-Chittagong Highway near Manikchari Check Post Bengali settlers attacked the hill people and activists with sticks at around 11.20 am.
The HWF general secretary alleged that at least 15 people from her organisation were injured in the attack.
Among them Sajib Chakma (22), Jiban Chakma (23) and Mita Chakma (25) were injured seriously.
The HWF leaders and activists also alleged that the settlers attacked on them in presence of police, BDR and army personnel.
In addition, three journalists: Bangla Vision's Rangamati correspondent, Nandan Dev Nath, Naya Diganta correspondent, Md Solayman, and ATN Bangla cameraman, Milton Bahadur, were injured.
Solayman and Nandan were admitted to the Rangamati General Hospital.
Rangamati Sadar police Chief Babul Uddin Sarkar confirmed the incident and told the news agency that the police had taken control of the situation.
HWF enforced the blockade marking 'Kalpana Chakma Kidnapping Day' at the district headquarters.
The hill women also demanded publication of the investigation report of Kalpana's kidnapping, back in 1996.
Hill Women's Federation Leader Kalpana Chakma was kidnapped on June 12, 1996 and the organisation has been observing June 12 as 'Kalpana Chakma Kidnapping Day' for a year later.
RANGAMATI, June 12: At least 18 people, including three journalists, were injured Saturday during a strike on road and water ways in Rangamati.
The Hill Women's Federation (HWF), a front of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), imposed the strike in the hill city.
General secretary of HWF Kanika Dewan, alleged that Bengali settlers attacked leaders of the blockade programme without provocation.
Kanika claimed that the organisation leaders brought out a procession from Sapchari of Manikchhari and on the Rangamati-Chittagong Highway near Manikchari Check Post Bengali settlers attacked the hill people and activists with sticks at around 11.20 am.
The HWF general secretary alleged that at least 15 people from her organisation were injured in the attack.
Among them Sajib Chakma (22), Jiban Chakma (23) and Mita Chakma (25) were injured seriously.
The HWF leaders and activists also alleged that the settlers attacked on them in presence of police, BDR and army personnel.
In addition, three journalists: Bangla Vision's Rangamati correspondent, Nandan Dev Nath, Naya Diganta correspondent, Md Solayman, and ATN Bangla cameraman, Milton Bahadur, were injured.
Solayman and Nandan were admitted to the Rangamati General Hospital.
Rangamati Sadar police Chief Babul Uddin Sarkar confirmed the incident and told the news agency that the police had taken control of the situation.
HWF enforced the blockade marking 'Kalpana Chakma Kidnapping Day' at the district headquarters.
The hill women also demanded publication of the investigation report of Kalpana's kidnapping, back in 1996.
Hill Women's Federation Leader Kalpana Chakma was kidnapped on June 12, 1996 and the organisation has been observing June 12 as 'Kalpana Chakma Kidnapping Day' for a year later.