Shutdown protesting ‘Romel murder’ goes peacefully in Rangamati

The dawn-to-dusk shutdown called in protest against the “murder of Romel Chakma” has passed off peacefully in Rangamati.

No road or water transport left for long-route destinations while attendance remained thin at offices and courts on Sunday.

However, locals said protesters burnt tyres and blocked roads by cutting off trees at some points.

Paharhi Chhatra Parishad (PCP) or Hill Students Council and a committee formed in protest against Romel's death had called for the shutdown.

Romel, general secretary of PCP Naniarchar Upazila unit, died at Chittagong Medical College Hospital on Apr 19 after his arrest at the Upazila on Apr 5.

PCP claims army personnel whisked away the HSC test candidate without an arrest warrant and brutally tortured him leading to his death later in police custody.

It also claims law enforcers forcibly took away the body from his family and burnt it without last rites.

The PCP has demanded compensation for Romel’s family alongside arrest of those involved in the “murder.”

It has also called for the cancellation of home ministry’s 11 directives to stop indiscriminate arrests and persecutions.

The PCP members will demonstrate in front of Rangamati deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday and go for a boycott programme at Naniarchar Bazar on Apr 26.

Rangamati Superintendent of Police Md Torikul Islam said additional police forces were deployed across the town and no untoward incident was reported.

Asked about the allegations, Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) Director Lt Col Mohammad Rashidul Hasan told bdnews24.com that Romel, accused in two cases - one over torching a truck and the other over looting two buses - was detained on Apr 5.

Rashidul said the army handed Romel over to the police at Naniarchar station on the same day.

"He was undergoing treatment in police custody. The allegation of his death in torture by the army is baseless," said the ISPR official.

He also said Romel was cremated following his religion's rituals in the presence of local public representatives, police, Kaukhali UNO, his relatives and friends sometime between 1:30pm and 4pm on Friday.