The CHT Commission is deeply concerned to learn of an attack by armed assailants on 27 January, 2010 on Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council and the Chakma Circle Chief Barrister Raja Devasish Roy. It is understood that Mr Larma and Raja Devasish were on their way to the Khagrachari district headquarters from Rangamati to attend a meeting of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission at the circuit house.
We understand that both Mr Larma and Raja Devasish, as well as their bodyguards sustained minor injuries. We are very disturbed to see such assaults being carried out on persons who were integrally involved with the passage of the CHT Accord. We hope that the Government of Bangladesh will conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident to identify and apprehend those responsible for this attack and to take effective legal action against them. At the same time we hope that the Government will abide by its election manifesto and fully implement the CHT Accord as soon as possible.
On behalf of the CHT Commission
Eric Avebury, Sultana Kamal and Ida Nicolaisen
Co-chairs of the CHT Commission
Bangladesh Secretariat: [email protected], www.chtcommission.org