Coordinator of the CHT Commission Hana Shams has come under attack again, 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 town from Shailopropat Tourist Spot on a 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 yesterday.
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 the morning, they were nowhere near 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 she felt insecure. “I went to Bandarban on a personal visit. I will decide on filing a case after discussing with the members of the commission.”
Locals said Hana was attacked as rumours spread that she had been holding meetings 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, Hana added.
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.