CUSTODIAL DEATHS OF 3 BAWM MEN

155 eminent citizens want judicial probe

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Judicial inquiry has to be conducted into the deaths of three Bawm men in jail custody, demanded 155 eminent citizens yesterday.

In a statement, they also sought the immediate release of all detained innocent people from the Bawm community.

“We strongly condemn the ongoing repression of the indigenous people in Bandarban in the name of combating terrorism in the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Ordinary citizens, including women and children of the Bawm ethnic group, have been detained… and imprisoned for years,” it said.

On July 17, Bhan Lal Rual, 35, died in jail custody. Earlier, Lal Sangmoy, 55, and Lal Tleng Kim, 29, died in prison.

In the statement, they said on April 2 and April 3, 2024, the repression of the Bawm community began in the name of a “joint operation” following bank robberies in Ruma and Thanchi of Bandarban.

“We think that indiscriminate detention of villagers and state repression in multiple false cases in the name of preventing activities and crimes of KNF members

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