Attacks on indigenous Jummas spread to mainland Bangladesh: ACHR PRESS RELEASE

Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR)

PRESS RELEASE

The attacks on indigenous Jumma peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has spread to mainland Bangladesh. At 7.00 pm Bangladesh Standard Time today i.e. 23 February 2010 indigenous Jumma peoples at Oxygen area, Chittagong were attacked by the plains peoples. While many Jummas live in the area, many were waiting to catch buses for Rangamati and Khagrachari district.

Earlier, a procession of the members of the Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) was attacked at Narikul Bagan area, Khagrahcari district by the youths belonging to the illegal plain settlers who began pelting brickbats at the procession. The PCP activists tried to resist but had to retreat. About 50 indigenous Jumma students were hurt.

Thereafter, illegal plain settlers entered Mahajonpara and Milanpur villages under Khagrachari and burnt down many houses belonging to indigenous peoples.

Asian Centre for Human Rights has been informed that the houses of the following indigenous peoples were burnt down by the illegal plain settlers:

1. Jhikkya Chakma
2. Kandara Chakma
3. Kandara Chakma
4. Parimal Chakma
5. Bir Bikram Tripura
6. Babuya Chakma
7. Prabhangshu Chakma
8. Lucky Chakma
9. Pipa Chakma

Inside Khagrachari government school area, the settlers burnt down the quarters of Pika Talukder, Milan Chakma and Tapasi Chakma.

In Narikul Bagan area adjacent to Mahajonpara the settlers targeted Jumma shops and burnt down Sonny Rang's shop and looted the shop of Priya Kumar Chakma and vandalized and looted Ziran Hotel and Bain Textile owned by Jummas. The illegal plain settlers also damaged and looted the house of Mr Tatul Chakma.

The illegal plain settlers also burnt down a students’ hostel Shanti Niketan.

Although army has been deployed following the imposition of section 144, the Bengalee illegal settlers are still roaming the streets in groups holding sharp weapons and sticks.

An estimated 20 to 25 shops belonging to Jummas at Panchari station near Mahajonpara were set afire. Jummas also set fire to a few Bengali shops at Khezur Bagan area.

At 5:15pm Bangladesh Standard Time, the settlers burnt down more houses in Satbheiyapara. Incident of arson has also been reported from Datkuppya.

At 6.00 pm Bangladesh Standard Time, the settlers started burning down MSF para under Sajek Union under Rangamati district.

At 6.00 pm Bangladesh Standard Time, the settlers attacked the indigenous Jumma villages at Dighinala Sub-Division under Khagrachari district.

Three journalists have also been injured. They are Altaf Mahmood of ATN, Mong Sha Prue of Desh TV and Bhorer Kagoj and Dillip Chowdhury. [Ends]