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Speakers, including academics, on Wednesday demanded an immediate high-level investigation into the abduction of Hill Women’s Federation organising secretary Kalpana Chakma, who was abducted in Rangamati’s Baghaichari on June 12, 1996.

At a protest rally organised by Hill Women’s Federation, Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra-Sangram Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Juba Forum, and Bangladesh Adivasi Nari Network in the capital’s Shahbagh, they also demanded that justice should be ensured in the High Court.

The rally was organised to mark the 28 years since Kalpana’s abduction and to protest at the dismissal order for the disappearance case of Kalpana, issued by a Rangamati court on April 23.

‘The court’s dismissal of the case, without arresting and punishing the accused or ensuring compensation for the victim’s family, not only frees the perpetrators but also severely violates the rights of Kalpana and her family,’ said Hill Women’s Fedaration Dhaka unit president Chandrika Chakma, who read a written statement.  

‘This [the court’s order] also sets an example of the culture of impunity,’ she added.   

‘It is also a matter of great concern that the accused were not held accountable. On top of that, the prime accused, then Army Lieutenant Ferdous Kaisar Khan, was promoted to Major and subsequently worked in a United Nations peacekeeping mission,’ said Chandrika. 

Their other demands included justice for the PCP leaders Rupon, Sukesh, Monotosh, and Samar Bijoy Chakma, who were killed allegedly for seeking justice for Kalpana and the proper and full implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. 

Dhaka university professor Zobaida Nasreen, journalist Nazrul Kabir and leaders of left-leaning political parties, including Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD also spoke at the rally. 

Kalpana, 23, was allegedly abducted several hours before the seventh national election from her house.

Kalpana’s brother Kalindi Kumar Chakma filed a case against the perpetrators and over the years, the case underwent investigations by 38 officers who failed to submit any report.

Later in 2016, then superintendent of police of Rangamati Sayed Tariqul Hassan, as the 39th investigation officer, submitted the final report. 

The victim’s family filed a no-confidence petition challenging the final report.

On April 23 this year, a Rangamati court accepted the final report submitted by the police clearing all suspects, including army’s Lieutenant Ferdous Kaisar Khan in the case.