Adivasi village burnt-down in Porsha upazila of Naogaon district

Report submitted by:
Kapaeeng Foundation

On 12th June 2009, the land-grabbers attacked an Adivasi village at Porsha upazila of Naogaon district and burnt-down 74 houses. At least four hundred people assembled with grievous weapons under the leadership of one Nur Hossain Master and his son Nazrul Haque and attacked village Khatirpur Upar-Sonadanga in Chhaor union. The piece of land at the centre of dispute is a 18 bigha plot owned by two Santal brothers Chotka Mardi and Turka Mardi both of whom left for India during a communal tension a few years ago while their family members stayed back. Now Nur Hossain claims that they sold the land to him and want their nephew, Mr. Jerta Mardi alias Bondhon of village Kusumkunda, to get the permission of Adivasi land transfer done from the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Jerta Mardi refused to do that and Nur Hossain threatened to kill him by running a car over him.Being threatened, Jerta Mardi raised the matter with local leaders like Azizul Islam, Mozibur Rahman, Ruhul Amin, Keram Uddin and Eshahak Ali and many others besides their own community leaders. The Bengali social leaders suggested the Adivasis to begin to live on the plot in order to keep the land under their possession. Accordingly, 56 Adivasi families settled down there and also allowed 18 landless Bengali families to reside there. Nur Hossain hired lathials from Gomastapur and tried to evict them on that day. Adivasis also tried to protect themselves with bows and arrows but they were overpowered. Police stood silent half a kilometer away and only moved in when every household, Adivasi and Bengali, was torched and looted. Many were critically injured including Sutar Kisku (45), Suren Murmu (35), Biswanath Hembram (28), Rajina Hasdak (32), Hosne Ara (32), Mosrefa and Deljan (70).
This News Release prepared in accordance with the report of Mesbah Kamal, Spokesperson, Adivasi Coalition.

Clash between Jumma and Bengali settlers in Ramgarh

Report submitted by:
PCJSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)
Kalyanpur, Rangamati-450000, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Tel+Fax: +880-351-61248
E-mail: pcjss.org@gmail.com, pcjss@hotmail.com
Website: pcjss-cht.org

On 14 June 2009 clash between Jumma villagers and Bengali settlers occurred at Jalia Para under Ramgarh upazila in Khagrachari district. It is learnt that Bengali settlers from Jalia Para cluster village have been trying to occupy the land of Jumma villagers at Baroitali area of Baroitali mouza and Hafchari union under Ramgarh upazila. Baroitali area is around 8 kms far from Jalia Para cluster village. Very recently on 7th June Bengali settlers cleaned the scrubs and erected at least 15 houses. Again 14 th June early in the morning, a group of Bengali settlers numbering around 70 persons went to the area and started to build houses. But the Jumma villagers opposed them to construct houses. At a stage, clash between two groups started and at least 10 Bengali settlers were injured in the clash. They were admitted to Guimara hospital.
Soon after receiving this news, Bengali settlers of Jalia Para and Guimara cluster made attack on innocent Jumma people indiscriminately at Jalia Para area on Khagrachari-Chittagong road.
Sources said that five Marma rickshaw pullers were beat by the Bengali settlers at Jalia Para area. Among them, two injured rickshaw pullers were identified as Thoihla Prue Marma (35), s/o Aungyajai Marma of Labrechai Headman Para of Guimara union and Apruesi Marma (35), s/o Remrachai Marma of Lubre Para of Guimara.
It is reported that Dhanadas Tripura (21), s/o Sukumar Tripura of Sindhukchari village of Sindhukchari union under Mahalchari upazila was brutally beaten by a group of Bengali settlers with firewood and iron rod when he (Mr. Tripura) reached there. However, he could narrowly escape. He was seriously wounded.
Bengali settlers from Jalia Para and Guimara cluster gathered to attack the Jumma villagers of Baroitali area. However, the military forces resisted them from the attack. On the other, Mr. Jatindra Lal Tripura, MP from Khagrachari district and Chairman of the Task Force on Rehabilitation of Returnee Jumma Refugees and IDPs called both communities to refrain any retaliation.
It is also learnt that most of the Jumma villagers nearby Jalia Para area took shelter into the remote Jumma villages fearing further attack.
It is mentionable that in 1981-82 Government settled down Bengali settler families who were brought from plain districts and gave land deed without taking approval of Headman of Baghaichari mouza. Due to military attack by the then Shanti Bahini, Bengali settlers were closed to cluster village near army camp. However, since 2000 Bengali settlers started to occupy these lands in different parts of the CHT. With this backdrop, on 1 March 2001 Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) issued an office order prohibiting expansion of settlement and asking both Jumma and Bengali settlers to maintain status quo until and unless the disputes are resolved by Land Commission to be formed as per CHT Accord.

A Jumma youth shot in Rangamati

On 13 June 2009 around 8.00 p.m. a Jumma youth named Kallol Chakma (23), s/o Prabhat Chakma of Banarupa in Rangamati town was shot by unidentified miscreants at Samataghat under Banarupa area. It is learnt that Mr. Kallol Chakma is a drug addicted. Locals said that this incident might be happened due to conflict among the drug addicted. Locals claimed that Kallol Chakma has been leading a drug addicted group in this area for long time. An armed clash among the drug addicted youths was happened at the same on 2 May 2009 where Mr. Rani Chakma and Sajal Chakma were injured.

Kalpana abduction investigation and punishment of the kidnappers demanded

Report submitted by:

PCJSS(Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)
Kalyanpur, Rangamati-450000,
Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Tel+Fax: +880-351-61248
E-mail: pcjss.org@gmail.com, pcjss@hotmail.com
Website: pcjss-cht.org

13th years after the abduction of Kalpana Chakma

Publication of report on Kalpana abduction investigation and punishment of the kidnappers demanded

On 12 June 2009 Parbatya Chattagram Mohilla Samiti (PCMS) and Hill Women’s Federation (HWF) called for publication of the full report on Kalpana abduction investigation and punishment of the kidnappers. PCMS and HWF jointly organized demonstration in protest of the abduction of Kalpana Chakma simultaneously in Rangamati and Dhaka.

Rangamati: A protest gathering was organised by PCMS and HWF at outer Stadium in Rangamati. Presided over by President of PCMS Ms. Madhabi Lata Chakma, the protest gathering was attended by Political Affairs Secretary of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) Ushatan Talukder as chief guest. Among others, Parvin Akhter of Samajtantrik Mahila Forum, Hamid Meer of Chittagong University, Jyoti Prava Chakma of PCMS, Udayan Tripura of Pahari Chhatra Parisahd, Advocate Juhel Dewan of BLAST Rengamati unit, Mr. Sukhamoy Rava of Assamese Welfare Council addressed in the gathering.

Speakers said that soldiers had picked Kalpana Chakma up from her home in Baghaichhari upazila in Rangamati on the night of June 12, 2006 and she never came back. The then Awami League-government, which later signed a treaty with the PCJSS to end the decades-long conflict in the hills, turned a blind eye to her kidnapping during its tenure between 1996 and 2001. In response to protests by the Jumma people and members of the civil society who wanted Kalpana Chakma to be returned to her family, the government formed a committee to investigate the incident. The committee submitted a report, but the government never made it public. A procession was brought out from Stadium to Banarupa after the public gathering.

Dhaka: PCMS and HWF organized a human chain in protest of the abduction of Kalpana Chakma in front of national museum at Shahbag in Dhaka.

Different organization including Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Sammilito Nari Somaj, Nari Progoti Songha, Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Kapaeeng Foundation, Samprity Mancha, Adibashi Adhikar Andolon, CHT Hill Student Council (PCP), Bangladesh Indigenous Student’s Action Forum, Samajtantrik Chatra Front, Worker’s Party (reconstituted), Santal Student’s Union, Garo Students Union expressed their solidarity being present there.

Eminent intellectuals and academicians also expressed their solidarity and demanded to the present government to publish whitepaper of all incidents of women rights violation committed by security forces in CHT. They also demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people. They termed the abduction of Kalpana Chakma as shame and stigma for the state. The present government must materialize the CHT Accord for the sake of implementation of Charter of Change. The speakers were eminent educationist Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdury, Columnist Syed Abul Moksud, Professor Sadeka Halim, Professor H K S Arefin, Professor Mesbah Kamal, Robayet Ferdous, Advocate Laila Khaleda, veteran politician Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Farida Akther, Sanjeeb Drong, Rabindranath Soren, Dipayan Khisa and many others. Meo Ching Marma conducted the whole program.

Finally, Meo Ching Marma, President of Hill Women’s Federation (HWF) read out a package of demands of HWF and PCMS. These are the followings:

• Publication of report on Kalpana abduction investigation and punishment of the kidnappers
• Publication of whitepaper of all rapes, abduction and massacre.
• Withdrawal of all temporary army camps and de facto military rule ‘Operation Uttoron’ as per CHT Accord.
• Full implementation of CHT Accord in letter and spirit.

It is mentionable that Kalpana Chakma was abducted from her house at New Lalyaghona village under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district on 12 June 1996 by the army personnel of Kajaichari camp led by Lt. Ferdous. Kalpana Chakma was the organizing secretary of HWF. She was a strong voice against military atrocities and repression.

Experiences and lessons learned concerning the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights: Seminar statement

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact

INFORMATION SHARING

Any interested person can contact the concerned institution based on the information provided

Category: Statement

Date: 6 May 2009

Co-organized by: International Labor Organization (ILO)
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN

Statement of the participants of the Asia Regional Seminar
“Experiences and lessons learned concerning the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights”

Kathmandu, Nepal April 27-29, 2009

More than 90 representatives of indigenous peoples, government and national human rights institutions from 13 Asian countries, along with representatives of UN agencies and bilateral and multilateral development agencies convened in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Seminar was jointly organized by the Asian Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), the Regional Initiative on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Development of the UNDP (UNDP-RIPP), the Programme to Promote ILO Convention No. 169 of the ILO (ILO/PRO 169) and the National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN).

The aim of the seminar was to discuss and exchange experiences and lessons learned in the Asian region concerning the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights, as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the ILO Convention No. 169.

The seminar provided the participants a unique opportunity to be inspired and motivated by the efforts of the Nepali government and indigenous peoples and their organizations to include indigenous peoples’ rights in the current state reform process and to implement ILO Convention No. 169, which Nepal ratified in September 2007.

The seminar was privileged with the presence of Chief Guest, Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, Rt. Honourable Subhas Chandra Nemwang and Guest of Honour, Honourable Dipankar Talukdar, State Minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs of Bangladesh. Both honoured guests strongly encouraged and motivated the other participants through their commitment to working for the implementation of indigenous peoples' rights in their respective countries.

During the course of the seminar, the participants shared experiences concerning the key challenges and opportunities regarding the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights at regional, national and local levels, including issues related to the identification and recognition of indigenous peoples; consultation, participation and consent; land, territories and natural resources and key government responsibilities with regard to implementation of indigenous peoples' rights.

The seminar confirmed that the Asian region has generated valuable experiences and lessons learned concerning the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights. However, much still remains to be done, in terms of adequate inclusion of indigenous peoples’ rights in constitutions, legislation, policies - and execution of those policies - for ensuring implementation of already existing national and international instruments, laws and policies, which is the minimum standard for survival of indigenous peoples. Although some positive steps are seen with regards to the establishment of institutions, there is still a need to develop and strengthen the institutional mechanisms for implementation of indigenous peoples' rights, including the allocation of adequate budget provisions by governments and donors.

One particular challenge, shared across countries in the region, is the establishment of permanent mechanisms for consultation, participation and consent of indigenous peoples in all levels of decision-making that affects their lives and communities.

Inspired by the sharing of experiences and good practices, the participants made key recommendations to indigenous peoples' organisations, governments, donors and other concerned stakeholders in the following areas: using national and international human rights frameworks; meaningful consultation, participation and representation of indigenous peoples, especially women and youth; strengthening government and indigenous peoples' capacity; recognising land and resources and establishing forms of self determination in practice. The participants also reaffirmed their commitment to work towards the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights, through local and national activities as well as enhanced regional networking.

==================================================================================================================================== Chin Khan Muan Gualnam
Research and Communication Development Manager (RCDM)
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation (AIPP)
108 Moo 5, Soi 6Tambon Sanpranate, Amphur Sansai
Chiang Mai - 50210, Thailand
Office Phone: +66 (0) 53380168, Fax: +6653380752
Mobile: +66 (0) 834741476
Emal: muan@aippnet.org, aippmail@aippnet.org
Alternate email: letstalkpal@hotmail.com
Website: www.aippnet.org

Awami League activists demolishes Shiva Temple in the Capital

A collection of reports i nthe Shiva Temple incidents.

Reports published in various newspaper of Bangladesh.

Reports from Janmabhumi:

Weekly Janmabhumi, 30th April, 2009: NY/ Dhaka: A half-century old Shiva temple in Sutrapur at the heart of the Capital was demolished by the Awami League supporters. The miscreants at the time physically assaulted nearby residents in an effort to uproot them from the area. Although the incident occurred just behind a precinct, the police were unresponsive. The second in command of the precinct alleged to have been directing the attack. Responding to media inquiries the precinct commander, Mr. Tofazzal Hossain, said, “No demolition of temple occurred. There was no temple there, only a few Idols were there.” No complaints were recorded as of eight o’clock yesterday evening. In a previous attack, on March 30, these miscreants expelled thirteen Hindu families from the area.
The demolition of Shiva temple occurred just twenty yards behind the Sutrapur precinct yesterday morning. Local sources confirmed that the property sits on a 32 katha land and 68 Hindu and Muslim families inhabit there. Mr. Mahbubur Rahman, a local resident, had been scheming to take possession of the property for a long time. After Mahbubur Rahman’s death, his brother Saleh and two sons, Dipu and Asad, tried to take possession of the property. Finally, on March 30, they succeeded by expelling 13 Hindu families from the property. They were able to capture the land-lot bearing number(s): 88, 96, and 97. Yesterday morning around 10 o’clock, with support from local terrorists, descended on the property to capture lot number: 95. Eye witnesses revealed that there were two city owned trees there. Local residents resisted the terrorists’ attempt to cut down those hundreds of years old trees. Witnesses confirmed that Mr. Tofazzal and Salam, the two Awami League leaders, were standing nearby during the attack. The terrorists attacked local residents around 11 o’clock for resisting toppling the trees and injured at least 10 people including Ali Akbar, Lalchan, Alam Chan, Nadim and Rahela. Among the wounded, five were admitted to Dhaka medical College Hospital for treatment.
The wounded stated that the terrorists, along with attacking their families, also flattened the nearby Shiva temple to the ground.
Local sources said, the Shiva temple on R. M. Das road was more than half-a-century old. The Pakistani soldiers damaged the temple in 1971. In the aftermath of that incident and until now, local members of Hindu community created a shrine by setting up some Idols in there and continued their worships. However, the terrorist occupiers, supporting the ruling government, flattened those to the ground in yesterday attack. The occupiers destroyed the Idols of Shiva, Kali, and Saraswati. The terrorists continued their assault for three hours and boasted their affiliation with the ruling Awami League party. Local residents and witnesses were too fearful for their safety to come to the victims’ aid. Resident said that the local precinct’s second-in-command were at the scene. They alleged that he was complicit in the attack.
Sources said, these miscreants tried to capture the said property for a long time without success. Recently under the shelter of the ruling party they renewed their efforts. On 30th march they uprooted a total of 13 Hindu families. No one had any knowledge of those families’ whereabouts now. The police are also in dark of the status of these 13 families. During the incident the attackers also looted their household items and belongings.
On the other hand, the victims went to the precinct immediately after yesterdays attack to file complaints. The representative of the temple committee also went to the precinct. But the police was hesitant to accept any complaint. Reached on the phone at 8 o’clock in the evening, the duty officer Mr. Jahangir said, “Someone came to file complaints, but no complaint has been lodged yet”.
At 8 o’clock in the evening Mr. Tofazzal Hossain, the Precinct Commander, was contacted. He told this reporter, “There was no temple there. No incident of demolition of temple occurred”. He said, “There were a few Idols there”. Asked whether destroying Idols was lawful, he replied, “I instructed them to lodge complaints”. Asked, if those people who demolished the temple had any political identity, he said, “They have no political identity”. Inquired about the distance between the precinct and where the incident occurred, he replied, “just behind”. (Translated by Pradip Das).

SHIB MANDIR DESTROYED BY AWAMI LEAGUE SUPPORTERS?

Report from Nayadiganta
Nayadiganta, 29th April, 2009: Shib Mandir, in Sutrapur, Dhaka was partly destroyed by Awami League supporters at yesterday evening. They also driven out Hindus surrounding the temple and beat them mercilessly. It was complained that, police was present, but did nothing to stop that. When asked, police told that, no temple was there, only a few deities were there. Police also did not take any case. Note that, those thugs evicted 13 Hindu families from the same are on 30th March 2009. Sources told that, in 1971, Pakistani army had partly destroyed the temple. From then, Hindus could not build another temple, but was worshipping in the same dilapidated temple.

400 Hindus evicted from their ancestrial home & Temple bulldozed by Muslims

Report from Samakal.

The Daily Samakal, 17th April 2009: 400 Hindus of Vusir Goli at Sutrapur were evicted from their ancestral home by hundred of local Muslim people with the assistance of local police. Abdul Kayum, younger brother of Nizamuddin, General Secretary, Awami League, Asad Mahabub Bipu, Son of late Mahabub Ali, Saleh Ahamed and local leader Tofael led to demolish house no 88, 96 and 97. They did it in presence of police security. They also demolished the oldest Kalir Ghat Shiva Mondir (Temple) of this area. The Hindus, holding no 89, 90, 91, 91 (2), 91(3), 94, 95, had been residing this area last one and half century. They have been paying tax, bills (gas, electricity, water) regularly. Hindus, Mr. Jogesh Chandra Dash and Mr. Taroka Nath Dash were the real owner of this land. The present owners acquired this land by mutation. However, government listed the lands as vested properties later on. It is identified that Asad Mahabub Bipu, s/o late Mahabub Ali has more property, which was grabbed from Hindu people. An influential group claimed ownership of the said land by filling title suit against the present owners. They also threaten to the local Hindus. Translated by JH.

Police start probe into attack on local people at Sutrapur

Report from New Age

Staff Correspondent:
Dhaka, 30 April 2009: The police on Wednesday started investigation into the attack on some families and damage of a Hindu temple at Sutrapur of Old Town in Dhaka on Tuesday. On Tuesday, a group of people, allegedly loyal to local influential Asad and Bipu, went to the temple site at Bhusir Goli and starting cutting two trees on the government land. The people alleged that Asad and Bipu are supporters of ruling Awami League. As the local people resisted them, the group started assaulting the locals, leaving about 10 of them injured. The attackers also damaged some houses during the vandalism that continued for more than two hours from about 10:00am. Some of the residents told New Age on Wednesday that the same group damaged the temple on March 30 and erected boundary wall on the eight katha land two days later. The attackers also came to the site on Tuesday in a bid to evict the remaining Hindu families to grab the land.

Violence against Minorities in Bangladesh; Recent Reports

Through HRCBM-BNC:

Threaten to kill to the rape victim’s family

The daily Jaijaidin, date- 30.04.09

A Hindu minor child of Mojllishpur village at Kosba in B’Baria has raped by Borhan (14) and Sabuj (12) on 23 April 2009. Firstly, she was admitted to the Thana Health Complex and later on B’Baria Sadar Hospital for her medical treatment after rescued by the local people. A case has been filed on 28 April 2009 at Kosba Police Station. The rapist and their companion are threatening to kill to the victim’s family for disposal of the case.

Three Christian families have ostracized for three years

The Daily Noyadigonto : Date 27.04.09

Safarin Charu Rojario was killed by neighbor Barnard Josep and Sunil on 1 December, 2005 for a trivial matter. Dinesh Gomes, Shyamol Rojario and Ilasir Rojario of Jonail Borni Christian Mission at Boraigram Upozila in Nator were the witnesses of that occurrence. As a result the, court sent warrant to Barnard Josep and Sunil. Only for this reason, dominant relatives of Barnard Josep and Sunil, namely Benjamin, Bimol, Ilias, Sudan, Hubard, Nirmol, Pachu Peter, and Santos, of the Christian community ostracized the said three families, Dinesh Gomes, Shyamol Rojario and Ilasir Rojario, from the society since 2005. These mentioned three families cannot pray in the Holly Church in the religious festival.

Dinesh Gomes arranged her daughter’s marriage last 23 February of 2009. However, the perpetrator group obstructed to execute that marriage in the Holly Church. Dinesh Gomes also informed to the related police station through a general daily (GD). Nonetheless, nothing has been happened against the perpetrators.

A Minority Student harassed at Kamalgong

The Daily Noyadigonto : Date 25. 04. 09

Sumita Rani, daughter of Gopal Das at Surjogram in Kamalgong, Moulavibazar, a student of Patonusa High School, had harassed by Momin Mia, son of Muslim Mia, and Kasem, son of Motin Mia, at Tilagor village on last 20 April 2009, while she was going back home. The perpetrators also attacked her home at night on that day.

A case has been filed against the perpetrator.

A Hindu collage student, victim of eve teasing, committed suicide at Agoiljhara, Barishal

The Daily Jugantor : Date 25.04.09

Sumi Rani Sarkar, daughter of Premanando Sarkar, at Nagar village of Agoiljhara, Barishal was a student of Jala Union Ilead Collage. Some local spoiled man often teased her at the way of collage. A group of people, by the leadership of Ripon Barai and Ashok Biswas, have pressurized to Sumi’s grandmamma Manda Rani and sister Protiva arranging marriage for Sumi and threaten to them whilst they denied their proposal. Later, they teased again on 21 April 2009, as a result Sumi committed suicide for releasing her parents’ family. No case has filed till date.

HRCBM's appeal: Help save Bipul Debnath

$25.00 - Support for Bipul Debnath $50.00 - Support for Bipul Debnath $100.00 - Support for Bipul Debnath

Bipul Kumar Debnath is a very talented poor Student. He is an English Honors 1st year student of Dhaka Collage. He has passed in the S. S. C and H. S. C Examination with both GPA-5 or Grade A+. Now he is attacked Multiple Exostosis all over the body (Multiple Bone Increase), Left humerus swelling increase in size last 5 months. Bipul Debnath have now treatment under Dr. Manassen Nithyananth of Christian Medical College , Ida Scudder Road • Vellore 632004 • Tamil Nadu • India. Doctor advice is, this problem will be remove must operation immediately. But his Father is a very poor tea sealer. His family members are five. We know he can’t provide total treatment cost 2 (Two) Lac Bangladesh Taka approximate.
Please find attached appeal . You can know details information and medical report of Bipul Kumar Debnath.