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"Mangal Kumar Chakma" <mkchakma@gmail.com>
BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!
Massive communal attack on Buddhist Jumma villages by military forces and Bengali settlers in Baghaihat area in Rangamati
A. Introduction:
On 19-20 February 2010 massive communal attack on Jumma (indigenous Buddhist people in the Chittagong Hills of Bangladesh) villages was made by military forces and Bengali settlers at Baghaihat area of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila (subdistrict) in Rangamati district. It is reported that at 8 Jumma villagers including a woman were killed and 25 Jumma villagers wounded in this attack. It is learnt that around 200 houses of Jumma villagers including Buddhist temple and church were completely burnt into ashes.
B. Beginning of the incident
On 19 February 2010 afternoon a group Bengali settlers went to the Gangaran Duar area and put pillars on the land of indigenous Jumma villagers for construction of house there. At that time, the Jumma villagers protested and opposed the Bengali settlers.
Again at night around 8.30 pm hundreds of Bengali settlers led by leaders of so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon (ultranationalist Bengali organization) under full protection by a group of army from Baghaihat zone of 8 Bir Bengal gathered at Gangaram Duar area and started to set fire on the houses of Jumma villages. At that time, at least 35 houses including 7 shops, a church and a UNDP-run village centre, in three Jumma villages of Gangaram Duar, Chaminichara and Baluchara were burnt down. Jumma villagers alleged that Bengali settlers also looted the valuables while they were burning the houses. The villagers fled into the jungle when the attack took place.
After the first attack, the villagers returned to their villages the next morning and gathered in Gangaram to protest it. The Bengali settlers returned in the morning on 20 February 2010 equipped with sharp weapons, machetes and sticks.
Further, at around 10.00 am on 20 February 2010 tension mounted throughout the area while the army and Bengali settlers ordered the Jumma villagers to leave the area, but they refused to comply. At around 10.00 am the army started to beat the Jumma indiscriminately. One Jumma villager chopped an army named Rezaul while beating him brutally and then the army fired leaving him spot dead. Following this, the army opened fire into the Jumma villagers indiscriminately without any sort of provocation, leaving at least 8 dead and 25 wounded. They army also arrested three persons from there.
Since the start of firing, Bengali settlers with the help of army set fire on Jumma houses at Hajachhara, Guchchha Gram, Balughat, Simanachhara, Baipaichhara, Suranganala and Kerekkaba villages. It is reported that at least another 160 houses were torched at that time. Bengali settlers also burnt Banani Bana Vihar, a Buddhist temple. The monk of the vihara Ven. Purnabas Bhikkhu, fled the temple without taking meal. One statue of Buddha was looted and another one which was given by Thai government was looted. As they continued the arson attacks, the indigenous community began resisting them. During this resistance, six indigenous persons were injured.
It is still not clear how many Jumma villagers were killed in the attacks. However, five of the dead were identified. They are-
1) Ms. Buddhabati Chakma (34) w/o Uttam Chakma of Baghaihat Gucchagram;
2) Mr. Laxmi Bijoy Chakma (30) s/o unknown of Golakmachara;
3) Mr. Liton Chakma (35) s/o Karunamoy Chakma of Baibachara;
4) Mr. Bana Shanti Chakma (28) s/o unknown of Gangaram Duar and
5) Mr. Nutunjoy Chakma (28) s/o unknown of Golakmachara.
Some of the injured are-
1) Shanta Shil Chakma, s/o Dhanaram Chakma of Chaminichara;
2) Mrittunjoy Chakma, s/o unknown of Jarulchari;
3) Sushil Jibon Chakma (32), s/o Kinamani Chakma of Chaminichara;
4) Amar Jiban Chakma (30), s/o Majiban Chakma of B-Block of Bangaltali;
5) Mr. Nibesh Chakma (35), s/o unknown of Chaminichara;
6) Mr. Dari Chakma (40) s/o unknown of Nangalmara;
7) Jitendra Chakma (35), s/o unknown of Chaminichara
8) Mr. Prem Lal Chakma (26) s/o unknown of Chaminichara.
It is learnt that the dead body of Buddhabati Chakma was brought at Baghaichari police station for postmortem. But dead bodies of other deceased are yet to be recovered. On 20 February 2010 afternoon the army imposed section 144 in the area to prevent Jumma villagers from taking out protest demonstrations.
C. Background of incident
Bangladesh military forces undertook plan to settle down the infiltrated Bengali families along the roadsides of Sajek road from Baghaichari to Gangaram Mukh in 2005. It is also mentionable that thousands of indigenous Jumma families have been living in this area for decades long. Hence, Jumma villagers of these areas have been protesting against this illegal settlement programme. Despites the protesting, in 2008 Bengali settlers illegally constructed some houses at Gangaram area on the land owned by Jumma villagers. At a stage on 20 April 2008 the Bengali settlers with the direct support of army of Baghaihat zone attacked on the 7 villages of indigenous Jumma peoples and at least 76 houses of indigenous villagers were completely burnt to ashes.
Again, 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.
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 2010 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 2010. On the other, on 25 January 2010 the PCJSS sent a letter to the Home Minister with copy to State Minister of CHT Affairs Ministry and other concerned government authorities demanding to stop settlement prgramme and to withdraw Bengali settlers from Baghaihat area. However, government did not take any measure in this regard.
D. Media Report
It is reported that most of news media primarily reported fabricated news. For example, the Daily Star in its internet edition on 20 February mentioned headline of news as “Criminal killed in gunfight with security forces in Rangamati”. However, it replaced later with “2 indigenous men killed as troops open fire in Rangamati”. The Prothom Alo stated it as firing between Paharis and Bangalis. Most of the electronic media aired news in favour of Bengali settlers. Most of the media reflected statement of military authority as well as administration that went against the Jumma peoples.
E. Reaction
Processions have been brought in Rangamati, Khagrachari and Dhaka protesting against the attack. At 11.00 am on 20 February 2010 PCJSS brought out procession in Rangamati. PCJSS claimed that Bengali settlers led by so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon (a fanatic organisation of Bengali settlers) and Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad torched the houses of the tribal people in a pre-planned way.
On the other, Pahari Chatra Parishad (Hill Students Council) also brought out procession at Dhaka University campus in Dhaka.
--
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
The Daily Star
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Front Page
Trouble flares in hills again
2 ethnic people die in army firing, Bangalee settlers torch 200 houses
At least two indigenous persons were claimed by the authorities to have been killed as the army opened fire on agitated indigenous people feuding with settlers in remote Gangaram Mukh area of Baghaichhari upazila in the district yesterday.
But indigenous people claimed the number of killed to be at least six.
Seven persons including an army person were injured in the incident, which followed an attack on Friday night allegedly by a group of Bangalee settlers on the indigenous people over land disputes, report our correspondents in Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
The settlers had allegedly set fire to 40 houses of indigenous families on Friday night. They burnt 160 more houses in 11 villages yesterday morning in the presence of the army. They also burnt down a church and a Buddhist temple, alleged members of the indigenous community.
The army arrived at the place yesterday morning and charged truncheons to bring the situation under control.
However, the situation got worse when an indigenous man attacked and injured an army sergeant, Rezaul, with a sharp weapon, prompting the army to open fire. Rezaul was sent to Chittagong Combined Military Hospital, sources said.
Witnesses claimed that they could identify at least six dead: Laxmi Bijoy Chakma, 30, Liton Chakma, 34, Buddha Pudi Chakma, 30, Debendra Chakma, 43, Notunjoy Chakma, and Banashanti Chakma, 23.
The injured indigenous persons are Shanta Shil Chakma, Amar Bijoy Chakma, Nibesh Chakma, Mrittunjoy Chakma, Jitendra Chakma and Dari Chakma.
Police confirmed two deaths. Rangamati Superintendent of Police Masud ul Hasan confirmed the death of Budhha Pudi Chakma and the officer-in-charge of Baghaichhari Police Station confirmed the death of Laxmi Bijoy Chakma.
But the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) claimed that eight indigenous persons were killed and 25 were injured.
Meanwhile, Baghaichhari upazila administration yesterday imposed section 144 in Marisya of the upazila as two groups--Pahari Chhatra Parishad, student front of PCJSS, and Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad, a platform of Bangalee settlers--called protest rallies at the same place centring the incident.
Sources said the violence flared up on Friday night when Bangalee settlers from the neighbouring Russlesquare village set fire to 40 houses of indigenous people at Gangaram Mukh.
Locals alleged that the army backed up the settlers in the arson attack.
But the army claimed that the indigenous people set fire to their own houses with an ulterior motive.
When the army went to Gangaram Mukh yesterday morning to inspect the damage the locals started hurling abuses at them. This soon led to an altercation.
More indigenous people gathered at the spot around 10:00am and the army began charging truncheons to disperse them. At one point, plainclothes Sergeant Rezaul attempted to hit a man, who chopped him with a machete several times and started running away.
This prompted the army men to fire at the indigenous people. At least two persons were bullet hit there and one was killed.
Locals claimed that after firing, the army along with the group of settlers set fire to almost all adjacent villages in Gangaram Mukh area. More people were killed during the arson attacks.
Intermittent gunshots rocked the area until 3:00pm.
At least 200 thatched and corrugated tin-shed houses of indigenous people were burnt to ashes in intermittent attacks made allegedly by Bangalee settlers.
The affected villages are Guchchhagram, Gangaram Mukh, Hajachhara, Simanachhara, Retkaba, Jarulchhari, Dippara, Dane Bhaibachhara, Bame Bhaibachhara, MSF Para and Purbapara.
As the settlers continued the arson attacks until yesterday morning, the indigenous community began to resist them. Six indigenous persons were injured during this resistance.
Receiving information, army from adjacent Baghaihat zone went to the spot at about 10:00am and tried to calm down the feuding groups.
Indigenous people alleged that the Bangalee settlers have been constructing new structures on their land in Gangaram Mukh area, which triggered the dispute over land ownership.
They also said some of the dead bodies could not be recovered as the entire area is now under the control of the settlers and army vigilance.
Baghaichhari upazila Chairman Sudarshan Chakma said about 10 people died in the incidents but the dead bodies could not be recovered from the places of occurrence as Bangalee settlers were present there.
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Humayun Kabir confirmed the incident but said he heard that two people were killed but he was not sure.
"I saw fire and huge black smoke everywhere in Gangaram Mukh area. I saw houses being set on fire," he told The Daily Star.
"I along with the army and the OC of Baghaichhari Police Station was going to Gangaram Mukh at about 10:30am to control the situation. But we could not go much further in the face of the riot between the settlers and indigenous people," Humayun said.
"I heard a lot of gunshots but I was not sure who were firing," the UNO added.
Sourendra Nath Chakrabarty, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, said, "I am still not clear about the incident. But I heard about the feud between Bangalee settlers and indigenous people over land dispute and burning down of houses. Our UNO along with the OC went to the spot. So, I will confirm when they report to me after returning from the scene."
Baghaichhari Police Station OC Noyeem Uddin told The Daily Star that the situation was out of control and that additional police forces were deployed.
BACKGROUND OF FEUD
On January 10, indigenous people of Retkaba village in Baghaihat submitted a memorandum to the Baghaichhari UNO under the banner of Sazek Bhumi Rakkha Committee. They gave an ultimatum until January 16 to return their land allegedly grabbed by Bangalee settlers, stop resettlement of Bangalees there and remove settlers from the area, sources said.
As there was no fruitful result, the villagers staged agitation and boycotted the Baghaihat market.
On January 21, army from Baghaihat zone went to the Shaheed Ladu Monin market and beat up some indigenous people for boycotting the market, injuring eight.
On January 23, Sazek Nari Samaj, a body of indigenous women in Sazek union, put up a dawn-to-dusk road blockade on Dighinala-Baghaichhari and Baghaichhari-Sazek roads, making the same demands.
About 15 indigenous people including Baghaihat Primary School head teacher Shakya Bodhi Chakma were injured as settlers attacked them.
REACTIONS
Protesting the incidents, the PCJSS yesterday brought out a procession in the town and held a rally on Rangamati-Chittagong road. They demanded immediate judicial enquiry into the incidents and warned of tougher agitation programmes if their demand is not met.
In a press release, the PCJSS said the army could have prevented the attacks by the settlers, but a section in the army and a hardcore communal group under the name of Bangalee Chhatra Parishad made the attacks to grab land and create anarchy in the region.
The United People's Democratic Front in a press release condemned the incidents and declared a dawn-to-dusk blockade of roads and waterways on February 22 in Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
At a press conference at Rangamati Reporters Unity, the Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad also protested the incident and blamed indigenous people for it. They declared the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission unwanted in CHT and blamed it for working in favour of the indigenous people.
Comments
· Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:33 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
Burning of villages on taking away land belonging to tribal people for thousands of years is unacceptable!
· Deeba
Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:35 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
The Bengali settlers and the complacency and human rights abuses in the hill tracts is a shame for Bangladesh in the 21st Century.
· Farah Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:36 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
Where is our nation's conscience?
· UC Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:38 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
The Bangladesh Army and the Bengali settlers must get rid of their arrogance in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We want an inclusive and progressive Bangladesh.
· Mayen Uddin Tazim, former Advisor, UNDP
Sunday, February 21, 2010 12:49 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
We are deeply shocked to acknowledge the barbaric news of the hilly area where indigenous persons were died by the recent incident at Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati. It is absolutely unacceptable to the nation as indigenous people are very innocent in generally. It is being desired to know the fact how the agitation was started and why? Was it really needed to make open fire on them, who were got involved in feuding, with a view to controlling the situation? What was happened finally? It is the responsibility of the democratic Government and the civil society to find out the reasons behind the incident in which the innocent people lost their lives and property. Criminals who were responsible for that incident should be punished immediately. The nation does not desire to observe the same incident further which is heinous in nature as we condemn this barbaric fact. Similarly, an acceptable and pragmatic solution should be worked out for resolving the longstanding issues in which a communal harmony and co-existence can be reflected in the society of the hilly area
· Shahzad Uddin
Sunday, February 21, 2010 01:18 AM GMT+06:00 (11 hours ago)
I do not know what is the real stories. I would like to remind everybody concerned not to forget the past when the Pakistani Army killed Bengolies. How come people are killed by their own army? Do we not live in a civilised world? Do we not have the justice system? Are you entering the world where might is right? I want to see justice has been done.
· Abdu Ali
Sunday, February 21, 2010 02:26 AM GMT+06:00 (10 hours ago)
It is so unjust. Why are the settlers there in the first case. What is this government doing to protect the indigenous people and their rights? The world considers this exploitation of the indigenous people a blight on Bangladesh's willingness to uphold the rights of the vulnerable.. I think the PM and her associates should do walk and do things right rather than talk and sermon and allow things that are evil to take place
· Anonymous
Sunday, February 21, 2010 03:06 AM GMT+06:00 (9 hours ago)
This is unbelievable.
· Sunday, February 21, 2010 03:11 AM GMT+06:00 (9 hours ago)
I will put 5/5 mark. My question is : did the government and the local administration groups faied to anticipate this incident and failed to take appropriate safety measures well in time?
Bangladesh is a safe heaven for trouble makers as and when they like . We need more vigil in combating this type of terrorist act. Poppular support is most important to combat these kind of social disorders
· Asif
Sunday, February 21, 2010 04:50 AM GMT+06:00 (8 hours ago)
I have watched this news almost in every channel yesterday. Watching the news (NTV), it seemed to me that both army and another group was engaged in firing and I saw an army jeep was shattered by heavy gunshots. Now, this is very alarming. Whoever that group was whether Bengali/Tribal/Terrorist group etc where did they got such heavy fire arms? This is an important question to be asked. Bangladesh is a sovereign country and Hill tracts is no different country and a part of Bangladesh. A sovereign country will have army base to all parts of the country to protect its sovereignty. This is nothing unusual. Those who think otherwise are either foolish or betrayers. Another point is, army presence is important specially in Hilly area because it is a very remote and sensitive place which has border with India and Myanmar and more importantly a heaven to different insurgent or terrorists groups. Being a citizen of this country, I have every right to live wherever I want even in Hill tracts the same way a tribal person has right to settle in Dhaka, specially where this is a country already over populated. We did not gave Hill tracts lease to anybody. Tribal people are also the citizen of this country. We should not isolate them to somewhere in the remote area rather develop proper infrastructure, educational instituitions for them and bring them to the main stream of the country. But that does not mean their culture and herritage should be compromised. I myself have an employee from that area of tribal origin. He is very nice guy and not only knows Bangla but also knows English very well. I feel there is some specific groups who are actually thinking otherwise in the question of settling. During my study, I had an opportunity to have lot of Indian friends from different states of India. Eventhough, their language and ethnicity is different but they believe themselves to be Indian first. Now, thats the key thing, and thats the only reason for India being a heterogenous country is strongly united than Bangladesh. I think our politicians should play a key role here.
Thanks.
· Russell
Sunday, February 21, 2010 05:12 AM GMT+06:00 (7 hours ago)
Are we resist? Why we have discrimination like 'Pahari' and 'Bangladeshi'? I don't understand. The people born in hilly track are they not Bangladeshi? If not then where are they from? Is this democracy or racism? The people living in hilly track are always neglected. And now the media made the resist comment like Pahari and Bangladeshi. It's true they have their own culture, religion, language, but they the From Bangladesh.
· Anirban Jyoti
Sunday, February 21, 2010 06:38 AM GMT+06:00 (6 hours ago)
On analyzing the chronology of incidents and the outcomes, I'd like to ask the following questions to our government:
(a) Why our civil administration didnt take necessary steps to reduce the tension?
(b) Under what authority did the army beat up civilians resorting to a peaceful means of protest (i.e., boycotting a bazaar)?
(c) Are we still in a situation of insurgency in the CHT? If yes, then I wouldn't ask any further questions. If the answer is NO, then my next question would be why the army is still at the helm of civil affairs?
· Sunday, February 21, 2010 07:14 AM GMT+06:00 (5 hours ago)
Developement is need of the day. Without developement of the indegenous people keeping them away will be a farce.Troublemakers have selected the time purposefully as It is the time of victory day of language movement to draw attention of the mass people & the outside forces. Bengali settlers & the indeginous people must understand that they must live together for prosperity & developement. There is immence scope as it is a virgin land. It is desirable that bangali settlers,PCJSS & UPDF will maintain peace & tranquility in the area for better future days. Nobody shall fall prey to the hands of troublemakers. Finally sorry for the unwanted deaths in Baghaichari.
· Sawgat Chowdhury
Sunday, February 21, 2010 07:15 AM GMT+06:00 (5 hours ago)
Bangalee settlers must move out from there and Army personal who are responsible for these murder must be charge with the crime.
But I am dreaming, THIS IS BANGLADESH.
· Haq
Sunday, February 21, 2010 08:04 AM GMT+06:00 (4 hours ago)
This sort of news scares me. People like me who watched the progress East Pakistan's disgruntlement with Pakistan since from late forties may have the same feeling. Though numerically minority, the Pakistanis with economic and military superiority dominated most relevant sectors of the then East Pakistan. They even tried to control our cultural and social practices. The inevitable happened at the end with the material and moral support of freedom loving people around the world.
I think we Bangalees, economically and muscle-wise superior to the indigenous people must be more tolerant as well as indulgent. We should let them live peacefully with their own cuture and life-style. We will earn the respect of the world at large for such an attitude. Whatever is the reason and provocation this sort of killing will bring forth much criticism and disgust towards us.
· Unheard voice
Sunday, February 21, 2010 09:29 AM GMT+06:00 (3 hours ago)
Actually 7 indigenous people are death, indigenous people are living in constant fear. Bengali settlers are always with the help of military encroaching indigenous peoples property, I urge government and international community please protect us we are living in hell; we just want to live peacefully in our land, indigenous people in Bangladesh always facing discrimination in terms of education, health matters at least spare their life
Sunday, February 7, 2010
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