URGENT ACTION: Protest against Brutal Attack on BIPF’s general secretary Sanjeeb Drong

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

INTRODUCTION:

On 22 January 2010 a human right defender, a free-lance journalist, columnist and general secretary of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF) along his wife Ms. Mitali Chisim were attacked yesterday by a group of miscreants while coming back Birisiri by a motor bike after attending a meeting at Ranikhnong Catholic mission area under Netrokona district on the way to Dhaka.

BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

Date of the Incident: 22 January 2010 around 12.30 pm

Name of the Victim: Sanjeeb Drong

Father Name: Suhrid Gagra (late)

Mother Name: Noyoni Drong (late)

Age: 43 years

Address of the Victim: 62 Prabal Housing, Ring Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka

Name of the Perpetrators: 10/12 miscreants including 1 person belongs to Garo. Two miscreants were identified as Mr. Supen Toju (Garo person) and Mr. Krishna Saha (Bengali person).

Address of the Perpetrators: Unknown. However, Mr. Supen Taju (Garo person) is from Madhabpur, Sub-district Susong Durgapur under Netrokona district

Place of Incident: Nearby place of Shaheed Rasimoni Smritisoudha of Ranikhong under Susong Durgapur upazila (sub-district) in Netrokona district

Method used: Attempt to murder by hurt with stick

Case file: Complain was lodged with Susong Gurgapur police station, case number 21/21

Date of Case: 22 January 2010

Under Section: 341/323/427 of Bangladesh Penal Code

Mr. Drong has been working for human rights for down trodden people in general and rights for indigenous peoples in particular. He has been involved with Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, a national platform of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh. He has been representing the national and international forum including the session of United Nations and its specialized agencies for indigenous peoples in Bangladesh and also UNPFII and ILO. His is actively involved with the justice, peace and integrity of creation, many human rights and civil society organisations. Mr. Drong takes part in all the indigenous meetings, rallies, movements and gatherings. He gives input talks as resource person for seminars and meetings.

Mr. Drong has been writing for causes of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh and national issues since student life. He has published four hundred columns in the national dailies and little magazines and five books on indigenous peoples’ issues. He has also been serving as free-lance journalist for long time. He has got very close connection with the printing and electronic media in Bangladesh.

FACT IN BRIEF:

On that day, Mr. Sanjeeb Drong was inhumanly beaten up and his motor bike was damaged at the same time. He got very bad muscle injury on both arms and blisters on the skin. He managed to get out of the spot running for life. Mr. Drong was immediately rescued by the Bishop of Mymensingh, Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi CSC and the Priests having meeting at the near by Parish on the occasion of the Centennial celebration of Ranikhong Catholic Mission. Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi, CSC and the Regional Director of the Caritas Regional office in Mymensingh took him to the SSMI Sister's Hospital for first aid and brought him back to Mymensingh town in the evening. From there he brought back to Dhaka by car at 11:00 pm.

It is suspected that the incident was organised by a ruling indigenous parliamentarian because Mr. Drong spoke against his recent corruption. That leader sold out a piece of land in Dhaka to an NGO for 7.5 crore taka ($11 million) which was given by the Government of Bangladesh for protection of cultural of indigenous peoples in plains land. Mr. Drong was one of the strong oppositions spoke against that corruption.

One of the miscreants named Krishna Saha has been arrested on that day by the police. It is learnt that the ruling political leaders are trying to influence the district administration to free him.

ACTION NEEDED:

Please write to the authorities in Bangladesh urging them to:

1) Conduct judicial inquiry of the attack and identify the persons who was involved behind the screen;

2) Immediate arrest the miscreants who committed the attack including the Garo person Mr. Supen Toju;

3) Prosecute exemplary punishment to those found responsible for the attack;

4) Provide full security to Mr. Sanjeeb Drong so that he can move around freely and continue his normal way of life.

Please write to the authorities of Bangladesh Government

§ Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Honourable Prime Minister, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Prime Minister’s Office, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fax : +880 2 8113243 / 3244 / 1015 / 1490, Email: Info@pmo.gov.bd, E-mail: pm@pmo.gov.bd pm@pmo.gov.bd> or psecy@pmo.gov.bd psecy@pmo.gov.bd>

§ Dr. Dipu Moni, Honorable Minister, Foreign Ministry, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Fax: +880 2 9558566, Tel: 956-2852

§ Ms. Sahara Khatun, Honorable Minister, Ministry Home Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, BANGLADESH, Fax: +88-02-7160405, 88-02-7164788 (O), Tel:+88-02-7169069 (O)

§ Mr. Dipankar Talukdar MP, Honorable State Minister, CHT Affairs Ministry, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, BANGLADESH, Tel: +880-2- 7161774, E-mail: mochtadh@bttb.net

§ Mr. Nur Mohammad, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bangladesh Police, Police Headquarters', Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000, BANGLADESH, Fax: +880 2 956 3362 / 956 3363, Tel: +880 2 956 2054 / 717 6451 / 717 6677, E-mail: ig@police.gov.bd

Report on Baghaichari (Baghaihat and Sajek) situation in Rangamati

Source: PCJSS

8 Jumma villagers injured by attack of Bengali settlers

Today’s morning (on 24 January 2010) Jumma people have allegedly been attacked by Bengali settlers in Baghaichari sadar and Baghaihat. At least 8 persons in two places have been injured in this communal attack.

It is learnt that around 9.30 am a group of Bengali settlers made attack on Jumma people at Choumuhani area of Baghaichari sadar under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. The following persons were injured in attack-

(1) Mr. Bijoy Chakma (25) s/o Alok Bikash Chakma of village Magban in Baghaichari, sustained injury on his head;

(2) Mr. Sohel Chakma (student) of village Chahabachara in Baghaichari;

(3) Mr. Samapta Chakma of village Babu Para of Baghaichari;

(4) Mr. Dayal Chandra Chakma of village Malya in Baghaichari.

They were admitted at Baghaichari upazila hospital. Dayal Chandra Chakma came to Baghaichari headquarters to withdraw aged allowance.

On the other, at the morning Bengali settlers made attack on hostel of Baghaihat High School where Jumma students have been staying. It is reported that at least 3 students and head teacher of the school were injured. They were identified as-

(1) Mr. Shakyabodhi Chakma, Head Teacher of Baghaihat High School;

(2) Mr. Rubel Chakma, a student of SSC candidate;

(3) Mr. Soikat Chakma, a student of SSC candidate;

(4) Mr. Mithun Chakma, a student of SSC candidate.

It is reported that at present 36 students and teachers of Baghaihat High School including above-mentioned victims have been logged at school house and encircled by the army and police at Baghaihat area.

Tension during last night:

It is also learnt that Bengali settlers gathered at Nursary Para of Baghaihat area under Baghaichari upazila to attack Jumma villages. Sensing this, the Jumma villagers gathered at nearby places of Nursay Para to prevent Bengali settlers’ attack.

However, Bengali settlers refrained from attack as security forces prevented them and as sensing the gathering of Jumma people to oppose any attack of Bengali settlers.

It is also reported that a group of army from Baghaihat zone conducted operation at Nandaram villager under Sajek union. During the operation, army tried to arrest the two following Karbaries (village head), failed to do so as villagers opposed to arrest them-

(1) Mr. Sumati Ranjan Chakma, Karbari of South Nandaram village;

(2) Mr. Udayan Chakma, Karbari of North Nandaram village.

Beginning of the incident:

Since starting of January 2010, Bengali settlers with the support of Baghaihat army zone resumed expansion of their settlement in Sajek area under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. A number of houses have already been erected by the Bengali settlers occupying Jumma villagers’ land.

Protesting against the expansion of Bengali settlement, local Jumma villagers have been boycotting the Baghaihat bazaar since the start of expansion of Bengali settlement. It is also reported that the villagers, under the banner of Sajek Bhumi Rakkha Committee, submitted a memorandum to the Baghaichhari UNO on 10 January 2010 with an ultimatum of 16 January to return them their lands. As the deadline expired without any fruitful result on 16 January, Jumma villagers started their agitation and started to boycott Baghaihat market from 18 January.

Army operation and 8 Jumma injured:

Tension mourned since 22 Janauray 2010 while army tortured on Jumma villagers. It is reported that the incident first took place when some indigenous people of Ratkaba scolded two indigenous women as they came to the local bazar to sell their goods despite a ban by villagers.

On information, the security forces of Baghaihat zone picked up two Jumma youths namely Karnajoy Chakma and Kalabija Chakma from the Baghaihat bazaar and beaten them up mercilessly at zone office, leaving them injured. At one stage, Jumma women under the banner of Sachetan Nari Committee, led by its Convener Lojo Mukhi Chakma, protested the army action on the youths and took them away from army custody.

Following the incident, the security forces went to the bazar again and beaten up the indigenous Jumma villagers indiscriminately, leaving following eight people injured-

(1) Mr. Gyana Moy Karbari (45),

(2) Gyanendu Chakma (55),

(3) Bindu Chakma (48),

(4) Shanti Bimal Chakma (32),

(5) Anadi Ranjan Chakma (45)and

(6) Lojo Mukhi Chakma (45)

(7) Ranjana Bap (42)

(8) Sharni Bap.

Present of Dipankar Talukdar in Baghaichari:

State Minister for CHT Affairs Ministry is now visiting in Baghaichari area. However, local Jumma villagers alleged that he did not take any effective measure to prevent the Bengali settlers or to control the situation.

Urgent Action Needed:

Tension is going on at Baghaihat area of Sajek union and upazila headquarters under Baghaichari upazila. With this circumstance, the following action should be taken on urgent basis-

1. Immediate action to rescue the Jumma students and teacher who are not logged at Baghaihat high school by the army and police

2. Bengali settlers should be closed from Baghaihat areas

3. Expansion of Bengali settlement should be stopped

4. Land and homesteads occupied by Bengali settlers should be returned back to Jumma villagers

Dispute over land at Sajek

Source: Daily Star News
Submitted by: Kapaeeng Foundation

Eight people of Ratkaba village under Sajek union at Baghaichhari upazila were injured when security personnel allegedly beat them up at Shaheed Ladumoni Chakma Bazar on Thursday following a dispute over land.

The people who were injured include Gayanamoy Karbari, Gayanandu Chakma, Bindu Chakma, Shanti Bimal Chakma, Anadi Ranjan Chakma and Lojo Mukhi Chakma.

Locals said the incident first took place when some indigenous people of Ratkaba scolded two indigenous women as they came to the local bazar to sell their goods despite a ban by villagers.

The villagers have been avoiding the market as part of a demand for returning them their lands allegedly grabbed by Bangalee settlers and stopping resettlement in Gongaram Mukh areas.

On information, the security personnel of Baghaihat zone picked up two youths -- Karnajoy Chakma and Kalabija Chakma -- from the bazar and beaten them up mercilessly at their office, leaving them injured.

At one stage, village women under the banner of Sachetan Nari Committee, led by its Convener Lojo Mukhi Chakma, protested the army action on the youths and rescued them.

Following the incident, the security personnel went to the bazar again and beaten up the indigenous people indiscriminately, leaving eight people injured, locals alleged.

A security personnel of Khagrachhari Brigade denied the allegations of beating the indigenous people, rather, he said, they tried to being the situation under control.

Earlier, the villagers, under the banner of Sajek Bhumi Rakkha Committee, submitted a memorandum to the Baghaichhari UNO on January 10 with an ultimatum of January 16 to return them their lands, police and locals said.

As the deadline expired without any fruitful result on January 16, they (villagers) started their agitation and stopped going to the market from January 18.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=123095

PCJSS condemns attack on Sanjeeb Drong: Press Release

Date: 23 January 2010

General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum and eminent indigenous writer Mr. Sanjeeb Drong was attacked by a group of miscreants at Ranikhong area while he along with wife Ms. Mitali Chichim were returning Birishiri area from Ranokhong Boheratali Christian Mission under Susong Gurgapur upazula (sub-district) in Netrokona district by motor-cycle. The miscreants destroyed the motor-cycle and hit Mr. Drong with sticks indiscriminately. Mr. Drong sustained injuries on his hands.

PCJSS condemns this barbarian attack on Mr. Sanjeeb Drong and demands for immediate arrest of the perpetrators and examplary punishment for them.

Mangal Kumar Chakma

Information and Publicity Secretary

--
PCJSS
(Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)
Kalyanpur, Rangamati-450000, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Tel+Fax: +880-351-61248

Bengali settlers resume expansion of settlement in Sajek: Update

Source: PCJSS

Update of Sajek’s situation

It is learnt that on 21 January 2010 two Jumma youths were caught by army of Baghaihat zone from nearby place of outpost of the zone closed to Baghaihat bazaar. The youths were preventing Jumma villagers from selling their product as Baghaihat bazaar was being boycotted in protest of expansion of Bengali settlement in Gangaram Duar started since 17 January. However, local Jumma women protested against the arrest of the youths. At a stage, women took the youths away from army custody.

On the other, it is reported that in retaliation to this incident mentioned above, army conducted operation at adjacent areas of Gangaram Duar under Sajek union. During the operation, Jumma villagers including women were forcefully gathered and tortured indiscriminately. Several women were also severely injured. But the names of the injured villagers including women are yet to be received.

Adolescent Jumma girl allegedly raped by a Sub-Inspector (SI) and hotel owner in Rangamati

Source: PCJSS

On 19 January 2010 an adolescent Jumma girl (13 years) was allegedly raped by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdur Rahim from Vedvedi Outpost under Rangamati police station and Manager of Hotel Palace Md. Masud.

It is learnt that the victim of adolescent girl is a student of grade IX of local high school. Couple days before ASI Abdur Rahim introduced himself with the victim. On 19 January ASI Abdur Rahim invited the victim over cell phone for having a cup of coffee at Hotel Palace situated at old bus station under Rangamati municipality. On good faith, she went to hotel at 4.00 pm on that day. However, relatives of the victim alleged that taking her at a room of hotel palace, she was first raped by ASI Abdur Rahman and then by hotel manager Md. Masud.

No sooner of receiving this report, a group of women rights activists led by Adv. Sushmita Chakma rushed there and found the victim at a hotel room logged from outside. Sensing it, ASI Abdur Rahman fled the hotel. Women rights activists went to the police station and put objection against the said ASI and hotel manager. However, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali police station Babul Uddin Sardar at first denied to accepting any case against said ASI in connection with this incident. Finally due to tremendous pressure from women rights and media activists, a case against three persons including ASI Abdur Rahman and hotel manager Md. Masud was registered with Kotwali police station by elder sister of victim.

It is also reported that ASI Abdur Rahman was closed from Vedvedi outpost. Medical test was also done at the evening on 20 January. But medical report is yet to be received.

Tanchangya villagers beat by BDR at Tamprue in Naikhyongchari upazila

Source: PCJSS

On 19 January 2010 Tanchangya villagers of Tamprue Upper Tanachangya Para under under Naikhyongchari upazila in Bandarban district including women were beaten by BDR personnel of Tamprue BDR outpost.

It is learnt that very recently Tanchangya villagers gathered forest products for their domestic uses basically for repairing and re-constructing their houses. However, the BDR personnel from Tamprue outpost conducted operation at Tamprue village. Seeing the trees gathered at their houses, BDR personnel charged villagers with smuggling of forest products. At first they beat male villagers of the Tanchangya community while they were trying to protest. BDR personnel also tortured women while they protested against the false charge and beating of male villagers. The name of victims of Tanchangya villagers are yet to be received.