UPDF leader Michael Chakma released after 5 years

The United People’s Democratic Front or UPDF leader Michael Chakma has returned home five years after we went 'missing.'

His release was confirmed by Niran Chakma, an official of the UPDF on Wednesday.

According to Niran's statement, Michael was released in a blindfolded state somewhere in Chattogram in the early hours of Wednesday.

On Apr 9, 2019, Michael went ‘missing’ on his way back to Dhaka from Narayanganj’s Kanchpur. No one had heard from him since.

Over the years, family members, the UPDF and its affiliated organisations, several human rights organisations, teachers, and civil society members have been demanding Michael’s release.

Human rights group Amnesty International had expressed concerns over Michael’s disappearance, demanding the government help trace his whereabouts.

In addition, a complaint had also been lodged at the Narayanganj Police Station after he went missing. His family filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking justice, but the government failed to take any action in this matter.

Michael was found two days after Sheikh Hasina's resignation in the face of a massive anti-government movement.

UPDF Central Vice President Nutan Kumar Chakma in a statement said: “Michael Chakma was picked up and imprisoned for more than five years on the orders of the fascist Awami League government.”

He expressed gratitude to everyone who held various protest programmes to rescue Michael Chakma in the last five years.

Nutan said: “Everyone must be vocal about stopping human rights violations like these in the future.”

He demanded the immediate release of all the prisoners, including UPDF leader Anand Prakash Chakma.