The Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chhatra Parishad staged a demonstration in Khagrachhari town yesterday, protesting the death of a leader of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samity (PSJSS) MN Larma faction at a Bangladesh Army camp in Guimara.
Members of the students’ organisation held a protest rally in front of Khagrachhari Government College.
Speakers at the rally demanded the arrest and trial of the army personnel who allegedly tortured Duran Chakma Babu, 52, an organiser for Matiranga upazila, to death.
They also demanded the release of three leaders who were arrested along with Duran on Saturday night.
They also threatened to wage tougher movements if the army personnel involved in the killing were not arrested immediately.
Duran, who was from Bhoirofa under Dighinala in the district, was held along with three of his fellows during a raid conducted by the army men around 4:30am on Saturday in Guimara area. The raid was led by Major Mobin of Guimara Regional Camp.
The arrested are Nishi Moni Chakma, 40, Amar Kanti Chakma, 18, and Rimel Tripura, 34.
According to the army, they recovered two pairs of military boots and an army trouser, organisational documents, receipts of collecting party funds and cash worth Tk3,557 from the arrested.
Guimara OC Mohammad Abu Yusuf Mia said the raid had been conducted by the army based on a tip-off that a meeting to launch subversive activities was underway at that house.
Following the arrest, an extortion case was filed against them.
Army sources said Duran was injured severely when he jumped from a hill while being taken to Bailyachhari rubber grove to recover hidden arms around 9:15am on Sunday. He later died at Matiranga Upazila Health Complex.
However, locals and several police personnel, seeking anonymity, said the four PCJSS members had been taken to the Guimara Regional Camp and tortured severely, thereby causing his death.