UPDF's Central Co-ordination Meeting Held in Chittagong

The 8th central co-ordination meeting between the United People's Democratic Front and its front organisatons was held from 7 - 9 May in Chittagong.

Presided over by UPDF convener Prasit Bikash Khisha, the meeting was also attended by central executive committee members of the Hill Students Council, Hill Women's Federation and Hill Youth Forum.

The meeting reviewed the prevailing political situation of the country with special focus on the happenings in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

It noted that taking advantage of the ongoing conflict between the UPDF and the Jana Samhati Samiti the government is trying to push its anti-Jumma programmes in the CHT, that the military has been continuously raiding villages and harassing innocent people in the name of search operations, and that repression of the UPDF and its front organisations have been intensified with at least eighty of their members still languishing in jails.

The meeting further noted with dismay the encouragement being given to the settlers to occupy lands belonging to the Jummas by illegal means and the extension of military camps in various parts of the CHT including Sajek and Kawkhali under Rangamati district.

The meeting also criticized the role of the JSS and blamed it for sustaining the conflict in favour of the government and the army. It urged the JSS leaders to immediately stop armed offensive against the UPDF and to come to the negotiating table to find a mutual compromise so that a genuine and vigorous movement could be launched against the government.

Finally the meeting adopted a number of decisions which include, among others, holding of a grand rally on June 7 in Khagrachari in protest against illegal occupation of land belonging to Jumma people and organising a discussion meeting in Dhaka 12 June to mark the 9th anniversary of disappearance of HWF leader Kalpana Chakma.

Prepared by Press Section, Publications and Publicity Department, United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), May 11, 2005, Dhaka.