The attack was led by HM Samrat, secretary of Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra
Parishad, alleges Hana
Coordinator of the CHT Commission Hana Shams has again come under
attack, allegedly by the members of same group – Bangalee Somo Odhikar Andolon,
who in early July enforced blockade to prevent the CHTC members from visiting
the district.
The incident took place at a location between Milonchhari Rest House
and Sakura Resort of the town around 6:30pm on Monday.
At that time, Hana and a female teacher of Jahangirnagar University
were returning to the town from Shailopropat Tourist Spot on a shared taxi.
Some 10 youths aged between 25 and 35 and led by BSOA leader HM Samrat
intercepted the taxi, pulled out two other passengers and then physically
assaulted her.
The youths stopped and left the place only after a local indigenous
person, apparently known to Samrat, saw the incident. “They were also shouting
at us and asking 'Why have you come here?'” Hana told the Dhaka Tribune on
Tuesday.
OC of Sadar police Md Imtiaz Hossain confirmed the incident.
Samrat is the secretary of Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad's CHT
regional unit. The parishad is a wing of the BSOA.
Even though the members of DB police had been accompanying Hana and her
friend since morning, they were nowhere when the attack took place, Hana told
the Dhaka Tribune.
“When we reached Bandarban on Monday morning, members of the DB police
at the bus stop told me that they were ordered to provide me security since the
situation in Bandarban was unpredictable. I agreed and since then four DB
officers in plain clothes accompanied us wherever we went,” she added.
Hana said she had met a local journalist and Lelung Khumi, planning
officer of a joint project of the Bandarban Hill District Council and the
CHTDF-UNDP, on Monday.
She did not file any complaint with the local police station because of
feeling insecure. “I went to Bandarban on a personal visit. I will decide on
filing a case after consulting with the members of the commission.”
Locals said Hana was attacked as rumours spread that she had been
holding meeting with the indigenous leaders.
On July 5, three members of the CHT Commission, including Hana, and the
sadar OC came under attack of the BSOA men in front of the Rangamati DGFI
office during their visit in the three hill districts. The CHT Commission
blamed police inaction for the Rangamati attack.
Later two people were arrested in this connection. But they were not
among those named in a case filed by the commission.
They had to postpone their visit to Bandarban since several local
groups of Bangalee settlers had announced blockade in the district. The group
also faced outrage of the BSOA activists outside the Parjatan Motel in
Khagrachhari, two days before the Rangamati attack.
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