72-hour hartal in Khagrachhari

Two local organisations representing Bangalee settlers in Khagrachhari today called 72-hour hartal in the district from tomorrow morning.

Parbatya Adhikar Forum and Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad announced the shutdown protesting the killing of one Md Sajib and abduction of three Bangalee persons from Mohalchhari in the district. 

Earlier in the day, activists of the two organisations also staged demonstration with black flags and held a rally at Shapla Chattar area in the district, reports our local correspondent.

They urged the authorities to rescue the abducted Bangalee people immediately and demanded arrest to the killers of Md Sajib.

Md Sajib was among the five people killed yesterday in a brushfire by unidentified gunmen when they were on their way to attend the funeral of Shaktiman Chakma, chairman of Naniarchar Upazila Parishad in Rangamati.

Sajib was the driver of the microbus carrying political leaders and activists headed for Hugurmara area in the upazila to attend the funeral of Shaktiman.

Earlier on April 16, Md Salauddin, a timber merchant in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari, Md Maharram Ali, and Md Bahar Mia, a truck driver, were abducted from Mohalchchari where they went to buy timber.

Salauddin’s father Md Khurshed Alam filed an abduction case with Matiranga Police Station the next day.