Solidarity demonstrations for Ghilachari uprising

chtnews.com
News No. 204/2009, November 18, 2009

Solidarity demonstrations for the just cause of the Ghilachari women have been held across Chittagong Hill Tracts and in Dhaka and Chittagong.

In Khagrachari, hundreds of people, mostly women, took to the streets today to protest against yesterday’s brutal army attack on the agitating Jumma women in Ghilachari who were enforcing a peaceful road blockade, demanding punishment of an army sex offender and withdrawal of Ghilachari army camp.

The demonstration was organised by Hill Women’s Federation, Hill Students’ Council and Democratic Youth Forum.

They brought out a procession from Upazila ground at 11am, proceeded to Khagrachari bazaar and then held a rally at Mukhta Mancha.

Chandani Chakma, Vice-president of HWF Khagrachari District unit; Subir Chakma, Organising Secretary of DYF Khagrachari District Unit and Apruchi Marma, General Secretary of PCP Khagrachari District unit addressed the rally.

The speakers condemned the unprovoked attack on the Jumma women in Ghilachari and demanded that the army personnel involved in the attack be punished.

They expressed solidarity with the movement of the Jumma women in Ghilachari and urged the government to concede to their just demands.

Solidarity meetings and demonstrations have also been held in Panchari, Dighinala, Mahalchari, Kaokhali in CHT and in Dhaka and Chittagong.