UPDF calls for strike in Baghaichhari on Saturday

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, RANGAMATI

The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) has announced a dawn-to-dusk strike in Baghaichhari on Saturday, demanding a fair election and protesting threats against agents of a chairman candidate and a female vice-chairman candidate in the upcoming Baghaichhari Upazila Parishad election.

The announcement was made on Friday night in a press release signed by Sachal Chakma, the chief organizer of UPDF’s Rangamati unit.

The strike responds to threats against the election agents of chairman candidate Olive Chakma and female vice-chairman candidate Sumita Chakma. The UPDF, led by Prasit Bikash Khisha, is also demanding the arrest of armed members from opposing factions in the Baghaichhat area to ensure a fair and peaceful election.

Angya Marma, the central committee’s chief organizer, confirmed the strike, emphasizing its aim to secure a fair election and protest threats against the candidates’ agents.

The 6th Upazila Parishad election in Baghaichhari Upazila, Rangamati, is scheduled for Sunday. The Election Commission had postponed the election on May 29 due to Cyclone Remal.

The chairman race features two candidates: Olive Chakma, Vice-President of the Upazila Awami League, and Sudarshan Chakma, supported by MN Larma’s Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS-Reform).

While local Awami League leaders have been campaigning for Sudarshan, the UPDF has issued a statement supporting Olive Chakma.