Reliable sources report that at least six Jumma tribal people were killed, and hundreds of houses burnt to the ground, in an attack by soldiers and settlers on tribal villages in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh on Saturday. The attacks took place in the Sajek region, where tensions have been rising since Bengali settlers, supported by the army, have been expanding their settlements on Jumma land.
Picture (courtesy: Survival International): The children of Ms Buddhapati Chakma, who was shot dead by soldiers, speak to local journalists.
© Satrong Chakma
Local reports state that soldiers shot indiscriminately at Jumma villagers after one soldier was injured during clashes. Many other Jummas were hurt. Settlers, aided by the security forces, set fire to, and destroyed, five villages, consisting of at least 200 houses. A Buddhist temple and a church have also been burnt down. Thousands of Jummas have fled to the jungle to escape from the soldiers and settlers.
The local administration has imposed an order known as section 144, which prohibits the assembly of five or more people and the holding of public meetings. This is hampering the Jumma’s efforts to establish the whereabouts of missing people and to confirm the numbers killed. Two bullet-ridden bodies have been recovered (those of Mr Lakkhi Bijoy Chakma (40) and Ms Buddhapati Chakma (36)), but tribal leaders report that the army has removed the bodies of several other Jummas who were killed during the incident.
Hundreds of thousands of settlers have been moved into the Hill Tracts over the last sixty years, in a policy supported by successive governments, displacing the eleven Jumma tribes and subjecting them to violent repression.
In 1997 the government and the Jummas signed a peace accord that committed the government to removing military camps from the region and to ending the theft of Jumma land by settlers and the army. The accord offered hope, but military camps remain in the Hill Tracts and violence and land grabbing continue.
Survival’s director, Stephen Corry said, ‘This horrific incident is just the latest in a long line of brutal attacks on the Jumma tribal people. They have been killed, tortured and raped, and their lands stolen, for far too long. We call on the government of Bangladesh to put an end to army violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and to withdraw the army camps, as promised in the peace accord. Those responsible for this atrocity must be brought to justice.’
Note to editors: Survival has pictures from the incident.
Contact Miriam Ross: mr@survivalinternational.org
Note to UK editors: Jumma people living in London will protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission on Wednesday 24th of February at 10 am.
On February 23, Dhaka authority deployed troops in the south-eastern Khagrachhari district (Chittagong Hill Tracts) after clashes between ethnic tribal people and Bengali settlers left at least 15 people injured and several houses torched. Earlier, similar violence took place in Rangamati district on February 19-20.
The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) stated that at least eight Chakmas (one of the indigenous tribes of CHTs) were shot dead by the Bangladesh army personnel while dozens were injured on Feb 19-20. However the government has denied the reports so far.
Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights issued a statement to media (the author of this blog also received the statement) saying,
It is established beyond any reasonable doubt that the Bangladesh army is denying access to the sites to prevent the truth from coming out. The arrest of six Chakmas who got admitted at Baghachari army camp with bullet injuries sustained in the firing of the Bangladesh Army for alleged rioting is a direct attempt to discourage the indigenous peoples from approaching the authorities and therefore, keep the massacre under the carpet.
It is quite evident that the non-implementation of the 1997 Accord and continuing appropriation of the lands of tribal peoples are the root causes of this ongoing violence. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region in Bangladesh was plagued by decade long insurgency in the 1980s. In 1997 a peace accord inked between the government and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS), a political platform of the tribal people, now known as the United Peoples Democratic Front, brought some sort of respite to the indigenous tribal people.
Fear looms large on the horizon that Chittagong Hills of Bangladesh, home to at least 12 ethnic minority groups, is bracing for another round of severe and prolong ethnic conflict. The fear is not restricted to only violence between tribal hill people, predominantly Buddhist and Bengali migrant settlers in Chittagong Hill, but the imminent return of armed vigilante movements (remember the Shanti Bahini’s armed movement) which might resurface to safeguard tribal rights and identity of the region or to secure the Jumma nation (homeland for the tribal hill people) all over again.
Meanwhile, the ACHR accused the Bangladesh government of only arresting people from the tribal communities from in and around Khagrachhari district. ACHR also calls for a judicial inquiry to be completed within 90 days into the killings and destruction of properties till now, and fully implement the CHTs Accord of 1997 within specific time frame.
Today (23 February 2010) fresh communal attack was made on Jumma-inhabited localities in Khagrchari municipality under Khagrachari district by Bengali settlers with the direct help of military forces. Around 40 Jumma houses were burnt down and several Jummas were injured in this attack. On the other, one Bengali employee was killed.
It is reported that the clash broke out around 12.00 noon after a group of Bengali settlers belonging to so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon and Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) chased a procession of the indigenous Jumma people at Shapla Sattwar area of Khagrachari bazaar. The Bengali settlers hit the Jumma protesters indiscriminately.
Then the Bengali settlers made arson attack on Jumma-inhabited Mahajan Para area. It is alleged that military forces dispersed the Jumma people while they tried to prevent Bengali settlers from setting fire on the houses belonging to Jumma people. Soon after the dispersion of the Jumma people, Bengali settlers set fire on Jumma houses. At least 7 houses were burnt to ashes in this arson attack.
Bengali settlers then set fire on Milanpur, Madhupur and Upali Para areas where at least 7 houses were set fire. One of the owners of the houses was identified as Ms Lucky Chakma at Madhupur area. This was followed by setting fire on Sat Bheiya Para area where at least 25 houses of Jumma people were completely burnt to ashes. Besides, a quarter of Khagrachari Government High School, where a teacher of this school Ms. Tapasi Chakma stays, was also burnt to ashes. PCJSS office at Larma Square of Khagrachari municipality was set fire. It is alleged that Bengali settlers set fire the houses after looting the valuables of the houses. It is reported that Bengali settlers also looted some Jumma houses of Basundhara area. Sources said that at least 7 injured persons were admitted to Khagrachari sadar hospital while 12 received first aid.
On the other, a Bengali was killed at Shalbagan area which is completely inhabited by Bengali settlers. He was identified as Anwar Hossain (22), a fourth class employee of Khagrachhari municipality. It is not confirmed how he was killed. However, sources said that a group of Bengali settlers attacked hostel of Vocational Institute situated at Shalbagan area where few Jumma students stay. He might be killed by this attack.
Jumma people alleged that Bengali settlers made this attack by protection of military forces from the back side. It is reported that some of Bengali settlers were brought from Matiranga upazila by 8 jeeps. During the attack, journalist of Channel i and Desh TV were also assaulted and their cameras were broken by the Bengali settlers when camera crew Dilip Chowdhury and Mongsapru Marma were filming the clashes. Talat Mamun, reporter of private television ntv and Saikat Dewan, correspondent of daily prothom alo, were hostage for few hours by Bengali settlers.
It is reported that Bengali settlers also gathered at Dighinala and Panchari in Khagrachari and Kaukhali upazila in Rangamati district.
The administration imposed a 10-hour curfew in Khagrachhari municipality from 9.00 pm in the wake of fresh communal attack by Bengali settlers. The administration with megaphones asked residents to remain indoors and that if anyone was found outside, they would be arrested and terrorists would be searched door to door.
Reaction to the fresh attack
Following the fresh communal attack on Jumma localities in Khagrachari municipality, at around 4.00 pm Indigenous Students demonstrated a protest rally in the banner of Pahari Chartra Parishad (PCP). Hundreds of students and youths belonging to indigenous community joined in this protest rally.
The rally started from Aporajea Bangla at Dhaka University. Dhaka Indigenous students from different educational institutions participated in this agitation. The rally moved to Muktangan at Paltan through DU campus and High Court. Among others, students’ leaders from different indigenous students’ organization, Dhaka University teacher Professor Robaet Ferdous and Jobaida Nasreen Kona, Central leader of Communist Party of Bangladesh Rohin Hossain Prince were also spoke at this protest rally. They all condemned the barbaric and brutal arson attack in Khagrachari town today. Speakers demanded justice of this attack and exemplary punishment of the culprits.
UNDP closes Khagrachari office
It is learnt that on 23 February 2010 UNDP closed its Khagrachari office for indefinite period. On the others, the staffs of Rangamati and Bandarban offices of UNDP have been given leave for two days.
Update of Baghaihat attack
Today (on 23 February 2010) a MSF primary school was set fire by Bengali settlers. A group of army from Baghaihat zone were in patrolling during this attack.
Indigenous students of Jahangirnagar University also staged protest rally against killing and arson attack at Baghaihat area under Baghaichari upazila.
On the other, at around 10.00 am members of the civil society in Rangamati formed a human chain demanding a fair investigation into Baghaihat communal attack. Around 1,000 people took part in the human chain in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office of Rangamati district. They also demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the people responsible for the incident, withdrawal of army camps and removal of Bengali settlers from the Baghaihat area.
More army to be deployed in CHT, says Home Minister
Today (on 23 February 2010) in a meeting, Home Minister Ms. Sahara Khatum said that government would consider, if needed, to deploy more army in CHT. She said that government has enough preparation to combat any evil forces whether they were Shanti Bahini, religious extremist group or any group.
Pickets burn firewood at Mohazonpara in Khagrachhari sadar upazila Tuesday morning to enforce a daylong road and waterway blockade. Photo: StarThe authorities have imposed a curfew on Khagrachhari municipality and its neighbouring areas for 10 hours from 9:00pm Tuesday in the wake of fresh violence in the area that killed at least one person.
At least 50 people were injured and 66 houses burnt in clashes between indigenous people and Bangalee settlers on Tuesday that forced the authorities to roll out army Tuesday afternoon.
Muhammad Abdullah, deputy commissioner of Khagrachhari, told The Daily Star he imposed curfew to avoid any untoward incident at night.
The dead was identified as Anwar Hossain, 22, a fourth class employee of Khagrachhari municipality.
Bangalee settlers set fire to at least 37 houses of indigenous people --20 were in Mahajanpara, 10 in Narankhiya, four in Habongpuriya and three in Narikelbagan area.
Indigenous people also torched at least 29 houses of Bangalee settlers --10 in Mohammadpur, seven in Shalbagan, five in College Gate, five in Senakalyan Area and two in Masterpara area.
Body of Anwar, son of Rawshan Ali, was recovered from Shalbagan area shortly after the houses were torched in the area.
Shahidur Khan, officer-in-charge of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station, confirmed the news saying Anwar was shot in the head.
Twenty vehicles were also vandalised during the clashes in the district headquarters.
Witnesses said the clash broke out around 11:30am after a group of settlers belonging to Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) chased a procession of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), a platform of the indigenous people.
UPDF brought out the procession as part of its daylong protests against the violence in Baghaichhari Upazila in Rangamati district that cost two lives and left many others injured.
The indigenous people had blockaded roads and waterways in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts to press their six-point demand.
The authorities imposed section 144 in the town to stave off the spread of the violence, reports our Khagrachhari correspondent.
Volatile situation in Khagrachhari later started to calm down around 4:00pm after joint forces of army, armed police battalions and police started patrolling the streets.
They announced by handheld mikes warning the residents to remain indoors that if anyone found outside their houses would be arrested.
Talat Mamun, reporter of private television ntv, was among the injured.
The indigenous demonstrators set up pickets at more than 15 points in Khagrachhari town. They torched a truck in front of the Collegiate High School at about 7:30am.
The pickets at Khabalpuria barred ambulance and fire brigade vehicles heading for Mahajanpara.
Their demands include launching a judicial enquiry into the killings and arson attacks on villages in Baghaichhari in Rangamati on Friday and Saturday, punishing the persons responsible for the attack, compensating the victims and providing the injured people with treatment, reconstructing the prayer houses, stopping land grabbing and pulling out army from Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Our Rangamati correspondent adds: Members of the civil society in Rangamati formed a human chain where they demanded a fair investigation into Baghaichhari violence.
Around 1,000 people took part in the human chain in front of the Rangamati deputy commissioner’s office at about 10:00am.
They also demanded immediate arrest and punishment to the people responsible for the incident, withdrawal of army camp and removal of Bangalee settlers from the area.
Police intercept a procession of Pahari Chhatra Parishad in front of the High Court in the city yesterday as the agitators were heading towards the Secretariat to hand over a memorandum to the home minister. Photo: STARTension ran high in Rangamati and Khagrachhari as indigenous people and Bangalee settlers brought out processions and held rallies yesterday blaming each other for Saturday's violence that claimed two lives at a Rangamati village.
Around 7,000 indigenous people, led by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) leaders, marched in procession to the Rangamati deputy commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to the premier through the DC demanding parliamentary enquiry into the incidents.
Their other demands include publication of an accurate report on the incidents after a probe by a parliamentary enquiry committee, arrest of the culprits and their exemplary punishment, providing treatment to the injured, compensation to the affected indigenous people, withdrawal of army from Baghaihat, removal of cluster villages of settlers from Baghaihat and scrapping of "Operation Uttaran" in the CHT.
Meanwhile, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Baghaichhari, Humayun Kabir was withdrawn yesterday allegedly for his controversial role in Saturday's incident. Bashirul Haq Bhuiyan, senior assistant commissioner of Shariatpur, will replace him.
Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha Bangladesh, a body of Buddhist monks in CHT, also submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through the Rangamati deputy commissioner protesting the Baghaihat incident.
Samo Odhikar Andolan and Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) brought procession and held protest rallies in the town blaming indigenous people for the arson attacks on Friday and Saturday.
They claimed that indigenous people first set the settlers' houses on fire.
In Khagrachhari, indigenous people under the banner of United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) hoisted black-flags at several places in eight upazilas protesting the Baghaichhari incidents.
The UPDF, which opposes the peace accord, called a daylong road and waterway blockade in Khagrachhari and Rangamati today. It will also hold a candle-lit vigil on February 24 and a protest rally on February 26.
The organisation urged indigenous students to boycott classes on Thursday in all educational institutions in CHT to protest the incident.
The UPDF held a rally at Swanirbhar Bazar with its district coordinator Ujjal Smrity Chakma in the chair. Organising secretary of central committee of Hill Women Federation Rina Dewan and Pahari Chhatra Parishad secretary Aprushi Marma also spoke.
The PCJSS leaders at the rally in Rangamati blamed Bangalee settlers for arson attacks and violence in nine Baghaichhari villages and alleged that army abetted the settlers.
They said the incident would have never happened if the army had played a neutral role. Army men shot the indigenous people and instigated settlers to set fire to the houses of indigenous people.
The PCJSS leaders also demanded punishment of Lt Col Wasim, zone commander of Baghaihat zone, saying army men opened fire on indigenous people in his presence.
They said the main reason of unrest in the hill region is the army and peace will prevail there if they are withdrawn.
The PCJSS leaders demanded suspension of "Operation Uttaran" by the army, immediate withdrawal of army men from Baghaihat and deployment of additional police forces instead at Baghaihat to restore peace and communal harmony between indigenous people and Bangalees.
The rally was presided over by PCJSS Vice President Laxmi Prasad Chakma.
General secretary of CHT Mohila Samity Suprova Chakma, PCJSS information and publicity secretary Sajeeb Chakma, its district unit secretary Bodhi Satta Chakma and Pahari Chhatra Parishad president Udayan Tripura also spoke.
Picture (courtesy Daily Kaler Kantho): The photos above depict the aftermath of communal attack against Indigenous people of CHT. ( villages completely destroyed in the attack.Till today (on 22 February 2010) the section 144 is still going on. Due to continuing section 144, the Jumma villagers could not trace out dead bodies of the killed. Today in the morning, Bengali settlers ran after some of Jumma villagers who went to see ablaze village of Nayapara Guchhagram. However, they could narrowly escape. On the other, Bengali settlers set fire a fruit garden funded by UNDP at Gangaram.
It is learnt that the outpost of military forces was closed down and Bengali settlers numbering 12 families were withdrawn from Gangaram Duar area though other Bengali settlers are still there along the roadsides. It is mentionable these Bengali families settled there soon after arson attack on 7 Jumma villages on 20 April 2008.
It is also learnt that 7 injured villagers who got admitted at Baghaichari hospital were shown arrested in connection with the Baghaihat incident. They are taking treatment at Baghaichari hospital under police custody. They were-
1) Mr. Dhanasindhu Chakma (30) s/o Ranga Lal Chakma of Jagarabil;
2) Mr. Nagar Prasad Chakma(50) s/o Dhirendra Chakma of Bedagichara;
3) Mr. Rupayan Chakma (16) s/o Pritibindu Chakma of Golakmachara;
4) Mr. Liton Chakma (24) s/o Karuna Moy Chakma of Gangaram;
5) Mr. Batya Chakma (19) s/o Kanta Mohan Chakma of Tindwajari;
6) Mr. Debendra Chakma of Nagalmara.
Today (on 22 February 2010) PCJSS organised protest meeting in Rangamati and Bandarban district and submitted a memorandum to Home Minister through concerned Deputy Commissioner. In Rangamati, vice chairman of PCJSS Mr. Laxmi Prasad Chakma was presided over the protest meeting which was held at the premises of Deputy Commissioner’s office in Rangamati. Among other, general secretary of PCJSS district branch Mr. Badhi Satta Chakma, president of PCP Mr. Udayan Tripura and general secretary of Mahila Samiti Ms. Suprava Chakma et al delivered speech while assistant information secretary of PCJSS Mr. Sajib Chakma contacted meeting. PCJSS demanded, among others, to conduct judicial inquiry; to arrest the culprits and prosecute exemplary punishment to them; to provide proper compensation and rehabilitation to the affected Jumma villagers including proper treatment to the injured persons; to withdraw Baghaihat army zone of 14 Bir Bengal; to close Bengali settlers to cluster villages and to implement the CHT Accord including withdrawal of all temporary camps.
Several monks of Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha also attended the protest meeting in Rangamati district. They, on behalf of Bhikkhu Sangha, submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister through Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati district.
Meanwhile, civil society members, in a press statement, condemned and expressed deep concern over violent attack on Jumma peoples. They also demanded judicial inquiry into the incident. The signatures were, among others, Prof. Mong Sa Nu, Advocate Jnanendu Bikash Chakma, Sukumar Dewan, Nirmalendu Tripura, Bijoy Ketan Chakma, advocate Susmita Chakama et al.
In Bandarban, presided over by president of PCJSS district branch Mr. Sadhuram Tripura, the protest meeting was addressed by assistant general secretary of PCJSS Mr K S Mong, assistant organising secretary of PCJSS Chinghla Mong Chak, PCP leader Nitya Tanchangya et al.
On the other, Hill Students Council (PCP) orgnised protest meeting in front of Aparajeyo Bangla at Dhaka University. Presided over by PCP leader Mr. Prasenjit Chowdhury, thousands of students and youths attended the protest meeting. Leaders of the several student organisations, such as, Bangladesh Indigenous Student Action Council, Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan, Garo Students Union, Tripura Students Forum, Bangladesh Marma Students Council, Bangladesh Rakhaine Students Council, Barman Chhatra Sangathan, Santal Students Union, Bawm Students Association, Bangladesh Rakhaine Student Union, Chhatra Front and Chhatra Union attended the meeting. The said student organisations jointly submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister through Home Secretary (at Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka) demanding to conduct judicial inquiry to the incident; to send a parliamentary team for on-site visit of the spot and to prosecute those who are involved with this attack; to provide adequate treatment to the injured persons and proper compensation to the affected villagers; to stop land grabbing by Bengali settlers and to rehabilitate Bengali settlers outside CHT with dignity; to investigate and to ensure trial of all incidents of human rights violations; to declare roadmap with timeframe for implementation of CHT Accord soon; to withdraw all temporary camps including de facto military rule ‘Operation Uttoron’ as per CHT Accord.
