Source: Kapaeeng Foundation
On 29 July 2011 Indigenous peoples and academics and rights groups took to the streets in Dhaka denouncing the statements of the Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, about indigenous peoples and demanded to withdraw the ‘objectionable remarks which were discriminatory and disrespectful to indigenous peoples’
The demand was made in human chain programme organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Chatra Sangram Parishad (Bangladesh Indigenous Students Action Council) in front of the National Museum at Shahbag in Dhaka carrying placards reading slogans against the Foreign Minister and the 15th amendment to the constitution which did not address their longstanding demand for their constitutional recognition as ‘indigenous peoples’.
Speakers said such biased speech could only instigate the peoples of CHT to form a stern movement rather than finding a peaceful solution. The notion of microscopic population of the national minorities’ in Dipu Moni’s speech is totally ‘undemocratic’ and ‘disrespectful’. A democratic country should ensure minorities’ rights even they are microscopic population compared mainstream population.
The speakers also strongly criticised Dipu Moni’s defining of ‘indigenous peoples’ term based on dictionaries and said such flawed definition as a foreign minister, was ‘regrettable’ and ‘shameful’. They said, she proved her ignorance in front of foreign diplomats around the world. They questioned Foreign Minister saying that if the CHT has no indigenous population then how Raja Devasish Roy became a member of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues?
Politician Haider Akbar Khan Rono said he as a Bangladeshi and a Bengali, protests against such statements. “As a Bangladeshi working for this country, I protest on behalf of all my Adivasi sisters and brothers, other friends and colleagues, who are working for the indigenous people towards the development of our Motherland.
Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivashi Forum claimed that Dipu Moni had expressed her solidarity regarding the ‘indigenous’ term in 2008. Election manifesto of the ruling party and the prime minister’s speech in 2009 also contains the term indigenous.
Dhaka University Professor Robayet Ferdous criticised Foreign Minister as she said giving an special and elevated identity to enfranchise only 1.2 % of the total population of 150 million by disentitling the 98.8% cannot be in the national interest of Bangladesh. Robayet Ferdous said that such a notion was ‘undemocratic’ and ‘disrespectful towards other communities.’ He opined that a democratic country should ensure the rights of the minorities even if they account for less than 1 per cent of the population and should not practise ‘majority-ism’.
Besides, Dr. H K S Arefin, Professor of Dhaka University, Mojammel Huque Tara, Central member of Workers party of Bangladesh, Dipayon Khisa of Kapaeeng Foundation, Golum Murtaza, editor of Saptahik , Mahmudul Haque Suman teacher of Jahangirnagar University, Obaidul Haque, Associate professor of Dhaka University, Tandra Chakma, human Rights activists, Jewel Chakma, Member CHT Hill Students Council, Dany Drong, President of Garo Student Union, Ananta Bikash Dhamai, Information secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Chattra Songram Parishad among others also expressed their solidarity, at the human chain.
It is mentionable that on 26 July 2011, Foreign Minister told diplomats and journalists in two separate briefings that the minority people living in the CHT were ‘tribal and not indigenous.’ She also said that CHT peoples were 'asylum-seekers' and Bangalis are the true indigenous peoples of Bangladesh.
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Monday, August 1, 2011
Jumma girl raped in Baghaichari
Source: Kapaeeng Foundation
A 13-year old Jumma girl has been raped by a Bengali settler at Rupakari union in Baghaichari under Rangamati district. The incident occurred at 11 am on 27 July 2011.
It is learnt that one Abdul Majid (28) s/o late Abu Hossain Gazi went to the house of one Mono Ranjan Chakma of Bhakta Para under Rupakari union in Baghaichari upazila and found the girl alone. Majid put a fifty Taka note in her hand and asked for sex. When she refused, Majid grabbed and raped her.
It is reported that one day after the incident Majid was arrested by police.
It is reported that Bengali settlers led by Bangali Chattra Parisahd (Bengali Students Council) surrounded the house of Sudarshan Chakma, chairman of Baghaichari Upazila, demanding the release of the rapist. They tried to divert the issue towards communalism and save the culprit. At a stage, the Bengali settlers had to disperse when the local administration intervened.
A 13-year old Jumma girl has been raped by a Bengali settler at Rupakari union in Baghaichari under Rangamati district. The incident occurred at 11 am on 27 July 2011.
It is learnt that one Abdul Majid (28) s/o late Abu Hossain Gazi went to the house of one Mono Ranjan Chakma of Bhakta Para under Rupakari union in Baghaichari upazila and found the girl alone. Majid put a fifty Taka note in her hand and asked for sex. When she refused, Majid grabbed and raped her.
It is reported that one day after the incident Majid was arrested by police.
It is reported that Bengali settlers led by Bangali Chattra Parisahd (Bengali Students Council) surrounded the house of Sudarshan Chakma, chairman of Baghaichari Upazila, demanding the release of the rapist. They tried to divert the issue towards communalism and save the culprit. At a stage, the Bengali settlers had to disperse when the local administration intervened.
Three indigenous Marma villagers killed trying to save woman from rape
Source: Kapaeeng Foundation
On 30 July 2011 at around 12 noon three indigenous Marma villagers were killed as they tried to save a young Marma woman from getting raped by some Bengali settlers at Siletuya Paea of Rupashi union under Lama upazila (sub-district) in Bandarban district.
The victims were identified as (1) Mr. Aung Sha U Marma (70 years) s/o late Mong Chabai Marma, (2) Ms. Hla Powang Prue Marma (40 years) w/o Mongchasa Marma and (3) her minor son Mong Nue Ching Marma (5 years).
It is learnt that five Bengali settlers sneaked into a farm house in the village at noon and grabbed 15 year-old girl of Ms. Hla Powang Prue Marma and Mr. Mongchasa Marma, working in the farm house, and tried to rape her.
As the girl cried out for help, Aung Sha U Marma and Hla Powang Prue Marma went to the spot. The minor boy followed them. The miscreants attacked and killed them when they were trying to save her. The miscreants also killed the minor boy. The girl who was molested was admitted at Bandarban district hospital.
It is learnt that the police arrested Mohammad Musa for his suspected involvement in the murder. The incident has created panic in the area.
It is reported that Bengali settlers have been trying to grab Jumma villagers’ land for long time.
On 30 July 2011 at around 12 noon three indigenous Marma villagers were killed as they tried to save a young Marma woman from getting raped by some Bengali settlers at Siletuya Paea of Rupashi union under Lama upazila (sub-district) in Bandarban district.
The victims were identified as (1) Mr. Aung Sha U Marma (70 years) s/o late Mong Chabai Marma, (2) Ms. Hla Powang Prue Marma (40 years) w/o Mongchasa Marma and (3) her minor son Mong Nue Ching Marma (5 years).
It is learnt that five Bengali settlers sneaked into a farm house in the village at noon and grabbed 15 year-old girl of Ms. Hla Powang Prue Marma and Mr. Mongchasa Marma, working in the farm house, and tried to rape her.
As the girl cried out for help, Aung Sha U Marma and Hla Powang Prue Marma went to the spot. The minor boy followed them. The miscreants attacked and killed them when they were trying to save her. The miscreants also killed the minor boy. The girl who was molested was admitted at Bandarban district hospital.
It is learnt that the police arrested Mohammad Musa for his suspected involvement in the murder. The incident has created panic in the area.
It is reported that Bengali settlers have been trying to grab Jumma villagers’ land for long time.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bangladesh Govt to file suit against minority persecutions
Source: Times of Assam
By- Swadesh Roy | Date- June 02, 2011 | Place- Dhaka, Bangladesh
For the first time, Bangladesh government is going to file legal suit against minority persecutions. The home ministry of Bangladesh is preparing entering into litigation. In Bangladesh, minority persecutions happened in 2001 October to December 2002. It happened after a general election. The election was held on 1st October, 2001. Four party alliances led by Bangladesh Nationalist party won the election. Bangladesh nationalist party is an Islamic nationalist party but there others of its ally are Islamic fundamentalist parties. One of the parties is the alliance Islamic Oekoy Jote (IOJ), led by Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini a self-declared Taleban. American state department identified that, IOJ and a student wing of another party of the alliance (Jamate Islami Bangladesh) is international Islamic Militant terrorist. That is way; four party alliances are Islamic fundamentalists and militants. In fact, election of 2001 in Bangladesh Islamic militants won the election. However, observers and political analyst used to say that it was not a free and fair election. It was a conspiracy by some national and international forces, an intelligence organization (which is now condemned by America as a militant organization) of south Asian country made the plot of conspiracy. However, after that election, a man made disaster came on the people of Bangladesh. As a vulnerable group, minority community faced more thump. All the minorities Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians have to face a nightmare. Some examples of that nightmare are that, thirteen partymen of Bangladesh nationalist party in Pabna district of Bangladesh raped a young girl named Purnima Shill. More than five party men raped a seven-month pregnant woman of Hindu community at Bhola district of Bangladesh.
In 2001, after wining the election Islamic militants terrorized the whole country; so nobody can protest that violence. A group of human rights leaders raises a little voice but they were tortured by the state. So the people of Bangladesh have to wait seven years to condemn it. On 29 December of 2008 progressive force of Bangladesh come to power with a landslide mandate of people. The result of that election proved that people of Bangladesh did not like the militancy of the Islamic fundamentalists.
Bangladesh Awami league led progressive alliance formed government in January 2009 and a human right organization, Human Rights and Peace filed a writ petition to the high court on the issue of post election violence and minority persecution of 2001. The high court gave a direction to the government to set up a judiciary investigation commission of those incidents. According to the direction of the high court, the government of Bangladesh formed a three member judicial commission headed by retired district judge Mohammad Shabuddin. The judicial commission probing the 2001 post polls violence has found evidence of over 3625 incidents of major crime including killing, rape, arson and looting by the Bangladesh nationalist party and its ally’s cadres. Offences include 3,270 rapes, 355 murders. The commission’s findings say that most of the raped women are Hindu in religion. Commission also identified that, all are politically motivated murders and rapes. In fact, it was a political motivated cleansing. The four party alliances want to cleanse the minority community because the minorities of Bangladesh support progressive political forces. Therefore, fundamentalist were thinking that, to make an Islamic Militant country they have to cleanse minority and the progressive people of majority community. They try to do it.
The judicial commission suggests the government to start legal suit against the identified person who were involved it. Judicial commission also mentions some former minister and central leaders of four party coalitions were involved in it. A former home minister was also accused in this issue. The present home minister has said that, they are going to file suit according to the commission’s direction.
This legal trail is very much necessary for the image of Bangladesh and its common people. Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. People of all religions fought for the independence of the country. On the other hand, four party alliance government tarnished the real image of Bangladesh. They made the image of the country as a communal and militant country. Now the responsible people of Bangladesh are thinking that to build up the image of Bangladesh it is necessary to punish the criminal and has to stop the political motivated cleansing of minority.
By- Swadesh Roy | Date- June 02, 2011 | Place- Dhaka, Bangladesh
For the first time, Bangladesh government is going to file legal suit against minority persecutions. The home ministry of Bangladesh is preparing entering into litigation. In Bangladesh, minority persecutions happened in 2001 October to December 2002. It happened after a general election. The election was held on 1st October, 2001. Four party alliances led by Bangladesh Nationalist party won the election. Bangladesh nationalist party is an Islamic nationalist party but there others of its ally are Islamic fundamentalist parties. One of the parties is the alliance Islamic Oekoy Jote (IOJ), led by Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini a self-declared Taleban. American state department identified that, IOJ and a student wing of another party of the alliance (Jamate Islami Bangladesh) is international Islamic Militant terrorist. That is way; four party alliances are Islamic fundamentalists and militants. In fact, election of 2001 in Bangladesh Islamic militants won the election. However, observers and political analyst used to say that it was not a free and fair election. It was a conspiracy by some national and international forces, an intelligence organization (which is now condemned by America as a militant organization) of south Asian country made the plot of conspiracy. However, after that election, a man made disaster came on the people of Bangladesh. As a vulnerable group, minority community faced more thump. All the minorities Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians have to face a nightmare. Some examples of that nightmare are that, thirteen partymen of Bangladesh nationalist party in Pabna district of Bangladesh raped a young girl named Purnima Shill. More than five party men raped a seven-month pregnant woman of Hindu community at Bhola district of Bangladesh.
In 2001, after wining the election Islamic militants terrorized the whole country; so nobody can protest that violence. A group of human rights leaders raises a little voice but they were tortured by the state. So the people of Bangladesh have to wait seven years to condemn it. On 29 December of 2008 progressive force of Bangladesh come to power with a landslide mandate of people. The result of that election proved that people of Bangladesh did not like the militancy of the Islamic fundamentalists.
Bangladesh Awami league led progressive alliance formed government in January 2009 and a human right organization, Human Rights and Peace filed a writ petition to the high court on the issue of post election violence and minority persecution of 2001. The high court gave a direction to the government to set up a judiciary investigation commission of those incidents. According to the direction of the high court, the government of Bangladesh formed a three member judicial commission headed by retired district judge Mohammad Shabuddin. The judicial commission probing the 2001 post polls violence has found evidence of over 3625 incidents of major crime including killing, rape, arson and looting by the Bangladesh nationalist party and its ally’s cadres. Offences include 3,270 rapes, 355 murders. The commission’s findings say that most of the raped women are Hindu in religion. Commission also identified that, all are politically motivated murders and rapes. In fact, it was a political motivated cleansing. The four party alliances want to cleanse the minority community because the minorities of Bangladesh support progressive political forces. Therefore, fundamentalist were thinking that, to make an Islamic Militant country they have to cleanse minority and the progressive people of majority community. They try to do it.
The judicial commission suggests the government to start legal suit against the identified person who were involved it. Judicial commission also mentions some former minister and central leaders of four party coalitions were involved in it. A former home minister was also accused in this issue. The present home minister has said that, they are going to file suit according to the commission’s direction.
This legal trail is very much necessary for the image of Bangladesh and its common people. Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. People of all religions fought for the independence of the country. On the other hand, four party alliance government tarnished the real image of Bangladesh. They made the image of the country as a communal and militant country. Now the responsible people of Bangladesh are thinking that to build up the image of Bangladesh it is necessary to punish the criminal and has to stop the political motivated cleansing of minority.
Shiva icon vandalised
Source: The Daily Star News
Criminals on Monday night vandalised an image of Hindu god Shiva at the two-hundred year-old Hasjratola Kali Temple at Tangrakhali village under Shingasholpur union in Sadar upazila. Locals said, a gang entered the temple breaking open its lock and ransacked the room. They separated the idol's head from its body. Ashwini Kumar Mollick, president of the temple committee said that they are yet to identify the culprits. However, he demanded proper investigation and punishment to those involved.
Contacted, Md Rafiqul Islam, OC of Narail PS said a police team has gone to the spot. "We shall take necessary steps to find the culprits," he said.
Criminals on Monday night vandalised an image of Hindu god Shiva at the two-hundred year-old Hasjratola Kali Temple at Tangrakhali village under Shingasholpur union in Sadar upazila. Locals said, a gang entered the temple breaking open its lock and ransacked the room. They separated the idol's head from its body. Ashwini Kumar Mollick, president of the temple committee said that they are yet to identify the culprits. However, he demanded proper investigation and punishment to those involved.
Contacted, Md Rafiqul Islam, OC of Narail PS said a police team has gone to the spot. "We shall take necessary steps to find the culprits," he said.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hnila Buddhist Temple Destruction
Two indigenous Rakhaine villagers attacked by land grabbers
Source: Kapaeeng Foundation
On 11 May 2011 at around 3.30 pm the Bengali land grabbers of Hnila Buddhist temple and cemetery of indigenous Rakhaine people at Hnila area of Teknaf upazila (sub district) in Cox’s Bazaar district attacked on two innocent indigenous Rakhaine villagers namely Mr. Mong Hla Rakhaine and Mr. Faa She Rakhaine, the residents of North Hnila Bazaar Para (Maug Para). The physical assault was led by Rashed Mahmud Ali, son of former Member of Parliament (MP) Prof. Mohammad Ali, the main perpetrators of land grabbing of the temple and graveyard of Rakhaine people at Hnila.
It is learnt that, Rashed Mahmud Ali made a bogus allegation to these two indigenous villagers of burglary of his goat, afterward tied them up with lash and beaten them up brutally. The critically injured victims tried to file a case with Teknaf police station against the land grabbers, but the police officers rejected to accept any case against the miscreants.
It is mentionable that the former Member of Parliament (MP) Prof. Mohammad Ali and his son Rashed Mahmud Ali, along with their cadres have been conducting attacks one after one with an intention to grab the lands of hundred year-old Buddhist temple of south Hnila of Teknaf upazila and graveyard of Rakhaine people. They destructed the temple, damaged and looted the Buddha’s images, attacked local indigenous Rakhaine peoples including Buddhist monks and constructed houses on the lands of Buddhist temple and the graveyard of Rakhaine people. They have also been threatening indigenous Rakhaine peoples to further attack if they continue protest against the land grabbing.
The local indigenous Rakhaine people already made objections against the land grabbing of Buddhist temple and graveyard and continuous harassments of land grabbers to the local police station of Teknaf, chairman of Hnila Union Parishad, the police super of Cox’s Bazaar, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Teknaf Upazila (sub district), the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Cox’ Bazzar district and finally to the Prime Minister of Government of Bangladesh Shekh Hasina. Although they appealed to the several authorities to take necessary measures, but no actions have been taken against the land grabbers and to protect the holy places of indigenous Rakhaine people.
Call to disclose Kalpana Chakma’s abduction rep
Source: The Daily Star News
Speakers on Tuesday demanded immediate disclosure of the enquiry report on the kidnapping of Kalpana Chakma and punishment of the abductors.
Taking part in a human chain in front of the National Museum, the speakers demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people of the country.
Hill Women’s Federation (HWF) and ‘Pahari Chhatra Parisahd’ organised the human chain on the 15th anniversary of Kalpana Chakma's disappearance.
“Since the government is committed to implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) treaty, it should ensure the constitutional and legal rights of hill people to establish peace in this region,” said columnist Syed Abul Maksud.
Demanding arrest and punishment of the people involved in the kidnapping of Kalpana Chakma, the then organising secretary of the HWF, he urged the government to publish the enquiry report.
Khushi Kabir, coordinator of ‘Nijera Kori’, stressed on implementation of the CHT treaty and demanded making public the enquiry report.
Rakhi Das Purkaistha, organising secretary of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, expressed deep concern over continuing harassment on women in the hilly region as well as the whole country.
Leaders of the HWF and ‘Pahari Chhatra Parishad’ asked the government to publish white paper on killing, kidnap, rape and the violation of human rights in the CHT region.
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