Nine days have passed, but the two abducted leaders of Hill Women’s Federation are yet to be traced.
Monty Chakma, general secretary of Hill Women’s Federation, and Doyasona Chakma, a central member of the same group, was abducted by a group of masked people from Kutukchhari in Rangamati on March 18.
Besides, Democratic Youth Forum leader Dharma Singh Chakma was shot near the Khagrachhari-Rangmati Road at the same time.
The organization, which is affiliated body of United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), alleged that the accused are roaming around freely.
Refuting the claim, police said they were conducting drives to arrest the people behind the incident but were facing difficulties while doing so because of the remote area.
The law enforcers hoped to be able to rescue the two female leaders soon.
After the abduction, UPDF accused the members of its faction UPDF Democratic of the incident.
Doyasona’s father Brishdhan Chakma filed a case against 19 people, including UPDF Democratic Convener Tapan Jyoti Chakma alias Borma and Jana Sanghati Samity (MN Larma) leader Shaktiman Chakma with the Rangamati Kotwali police station.
Monty Chakma’s elder brother Subhash Chakma said: “Many people do not like the idea of female pursuing politics for their rights in the hill areas. They were abducted as a part of a conspiracy to stop their voices.”
He said his parents fell ill after Monty Chakma had been abducted.
The Hill Women’s Federation Rangamati unit’s Vice President Rupasi Chakma said: “We have no information about Monty and Doyasona.
“The masked group abducted them in a criminal style. There is no progress regarding it even though a case was filed over the incident.”
Blaming the police for not playing an active role, UPDF Organizing leader Niron Chakma said: “The miscreants are threatening the families and asking them to withdraw the case, but the police are not providing them [the family] with any security.”
Rangamati Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge Satyajit Barua said drives were underway to nab the accused and rescue the victims.
“Since this is a remote area, it is taking more time. We hope to rescue Monty Chakma and Doyasona Chakma at the quickest,” he said.