ACHR seeks SAARC intervention in custodial death in Bangladesh
New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today called for the delegation heads of the 14th SAARC summit, scheduled to start here tomorrow, to intervene for seeking justice for the alleged custodial death of a tribal leader in Bangladesh.
The rights body alleged that prominent Garo tribal leader Choles Ritchil died on March 18 in custody of the Joint Forces stationed at Khakraid in Tangail District of Bangladesh.
In a press statement, the ACHR alleged that the body which was handed over to his family, the following day, was mutilated and bore several marks of torture. It claimed that despite several complaints by Ritchil's wife, no FIR was registered by the police.
The rights body claimed that Ritchil was targeted for his protest against the acquisition of 3000 acres of land for an Eco-Park at Modhupur forest under Tangail district, inhabited by the indigenous Garo people.
About 25,000 Garo tribals were facing eviction because of the Eco-Park, the statement added. On January 3, 2004, one Garo, Piren Snal was killed on the spot and 25 others, including women and children, were injured in police firing while protesting against the land acquisition.
UNI