Rangamati DC’s letter warns human rights activist Yen Yen for false propaganda

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Chittagong Hill Tracts human rights activist Yen Yen has been given a warning letter accusing him of spreading ‘false’ and ‘misleading’ information against the government and the army. Rangamati Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Nazma Ashrafi sent the letter on April 6.

Acknowledging the receipt of the letter, Yen Yen told Prothom Alo on Sunday that he replied to the letter to the District Magistrate through his legal counsel. However, the District Magistrate said that he did not receive the letter.

In this way, a warning letter to a human rights activist is being criticized on social media. Noor Khan, a prominent human rights activist, told Prothom Alo, “I think this letter is an attempt to stifle people’s voices and indirectly restrict people’s right to speak, which has been going on in Chittagong Hill Tracts in the past as well.” When the human rights activists in the hilly areas gave speeches, such voices were tried to be silenced. We seem to be gradually moving back towards the east.’

Yen Yen is the wife of Chakma circle chief Raja Debashish Roy. His identity has also been highlighted in the letter. He is active in various human rights issues, especially in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

According to the letter of the Deputy Commissioner, Yen Yen has been involved in spreading false and misleading allegations against the Bangladesh government and army in the international arena to unite the members of various tribal organizations of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, according to various intelligence reports. As the political and social situation in the hill region is highly sensitive, such activities are likely to worsen the situation in the region.

In this situation, he has been requested to take precautions by following the existing laws and regulations of the country properly in giving any such speech or conducting activities in the future.

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When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Nazma Ashrafi told Prothom Alo that he gave the letter based on a memorandum of the Ministry of Home Affairs. He followed the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Referring to the criticism of human rights activists about the letter, the Deputy Commissioner said, “I have only done my duty.” Human rights activists can talk to the Ministry of Home Affairs about the matter.

Yen Yen himself did not want to comment on the reply to the Deputy Commissioner’s letter. He requested to speak to his lawyer Sara Hossain about this.

Sara Hossain, the senior lawyer of the Supreme Court said that the reply to the letter was received on behalf of Yen Yen last Friday. He said, “Some vague, unclear and baseless allegations have been made here. Copies of this letter have been sent to various persons. It actually includes defamation. The District Commissioner has been requested to cancel the letter.

Sara Hossain said, “In the time we are in now, where we are coming out of many types of harassing situations, why will we be intimidated with such vague instructions, that is also a question.”