Vested Property Return (amend) Act: 'Consult with HR bodies, experts'

source: The Dailystar

angladesh Mahila Parishad yesterday expressed concern over the move to pass the propsed Vested Property Return (amendment) Act 2009 in parliament without consulting with experts, human rights organisations and representatives of the victims who lost their lands through loopholes of the vested property return act.

In a statement, the Parishad said the cabinet has recently approved the Vested Property Return (amendment) Act 2009, which would soon be placed in parliament.

But the fact is that no discussion took place with the representatives of the victims, legal experts, civil society members, researchers and rights activists before finalising the law, it added.

Those who have been harassed and lost their lands and properties due to the loopholes of the Vested Property Return Act would again fall victim to vested quarters and their rights would not be protected if the proposed amended act is passed without any changes, the Parishad said.

So, it called on the government to consult with the experts and representatives of the victims and bring changes to the amended act as per their suggestions with a view to protecting the rights of minorities.

UPDF cadres kidnap 2 innocent villagers in Barkal

Source: PCJSS CHT

On 9 November 2009 at 7:00 am an armed group of UPDF numbering 9 led by Laxmi Ranjan Chakma (26) s/o late Brisha Ketu Chakma, village- Aima Chara Mukh under Aima Chara union of Barkal upazila kidnapped 2 innocent villagers from Shuvalong area under Barkal upazila of Rangamati district. The persons kidnapped are as follows: (1) Mr. Pattar Moni Chakma (38) s/o late Kina Chan Chakma of village- Subari Pada of Bhushan Chara union of Barkal upazila. (He is also a member ward no.4 of Bhushanchara union council); (2) Mr. Joy Kumar Chakma (37) s/o late Dina Mohan Chakma of village- Boiragi Para of Bhushanchara union. It is learnt that on that day at above-said time Pattar Moni Chakma and Joy Kumar Chakma including others were coming towards Rangamati from their home with banana for selling by a country-boat. When they reached Furamukh area of Shuvalong union under Barkal upazila, they along with others were stopped by UPDF armed cadres. UPDF cadres asked the boat-drivers whether they had yearly pass or not. At that time, UPDF cadres seized also the cell phones of the boat passengers. At one stage, UPDF cadres kidnapped the two persons. While leaving the spot UPDF cadres said to the boatmen to contact them after 7 days for the kidnapped persons.