Credible probe, punishment to perpetrators demanded

Different organisations of the three hill districts formed a human chain in Rangamati district town yesterday, demanding a credible probe into the abduction of Kalpana Chakma, a women's rights activist, that took place 17 years ago. PHOTO: STAR

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Mahila Samity, Hill Women's Federation (HWF) and Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) yesterday reiterated their demand for a credible investigation into Kalpana Chakma abduction case.
The organisations again raised the demand at a human chain formed in front of the new court building in the town, marking the 17th year of abduction of the women's rights activist.
On June 12, 1996, Kalpana Chakma, then organising secretary of HWF, was kidnapped from her house at New Lalyaghona village in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district.
Addressing a rally at the venue of human chain programme, leaders of the four organisations blamed the government for its failure to trace Kalpana and bring the abductors to book even 17 years after abduction.
They demanded a 'credible and transparent' investigation into Kalpana's abduction case and arrest and exemplary punishment of the culprits.
Though Rangamati District Judge's Court on January 16 this year ordered further investigation into the abduction case, no progress has yet been made, the speakers said.
They also demanded full implementation of the peace accord and urged the jumma people to stay united to realise their demands.
Jorita Chakma and Suprobha Chakma, president and secretary of CHT Mahila Samity, Rimita Chakma, secretary of HWF, Trizinad Chakma, Tapas Chakma and Udoyan Tripura addressed the rally.

Kalpana Chakma

Immediately after Kalpana's abduction on June 12, 1996, her elder brother Kalindi Kumar Chakma filed a case with Baghaichhari Police Station, accusing Lieutenant Ferdous, the then camp commander of Kojoichhari army camp, Nurul Haque, then commander of VDP (Village Defence Party), and Saleh Ahmmed, a member of VDP.
Baghaichhari police gave its final investigation report, dropping the names of the main suspects on May 21 in 2010. Later, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Chittagong Range, was assigned to reinvestigate the case.
On September 26 last year, CID submitted its report to Rangamati District Judge's Court. In the report, CID dropped the names of the three suspects and stated that it could not be ascertained whether Kalpana Chakma is still alive or dead. The complainant of the case and the four organisations rejected the CID inquiry report and demanded further investigation.
Our Bandarban correspondent adds: A human chain was formed on the premises of the local press club yesterday, demanding a credible investigation into Kalpana Chakma abduction case.
Bandarban units of PCJSS, Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) and several hundred adivasi students from different schools and colleges in the district joined the programme.