Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Torment of tribes continues 10 years after peace accord

This Sunday will mark the tenth anniversary of the peace accord between the Bangladesh government and the Jumma tribal peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts – but the government has failed to implement almost every aspect of it.

Violence, land grabbing and intimidation have escalated in the Hill Tracts since the declaration of emergency rule in Bangladesh in January.

Survival and other organisations will deliver a letter to the Bangladesh government simultaneously in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy on 27 November. The letter will demand that the peace accord is fully implemented and human rights violations in the region are ended. In London, a vigil will be held outside the Bangladesh High Commission.

The eleven tribes of the Hill Tracts have experienced waves of murder, torture and rape at the hands of the Bangladesh military ever since the country gained independence in 1971. The government has moved hundreds of thousands of Bengali settlers onto their land.

On 2 December 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.

Since emergency rule was declared in January, over 50 Jumma activists have been arrested, often on false charges. Many have been tortured.
Survival’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘Bangladesh’s campaign against the Jummas has been genocidal. With the peace accord, the country salvaged some of its reputation. But ten years on, with abuses escalating, international attention must focus on the Chittagong Hill Tracts once more.’

Survival campaigner Sophie Grig and UK-based Jumma filmmaker Ina Hume are available for interview. Ina Hume is the daughter of a Jumma princess. Bengali speakers are also available for interview.

For more information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org

Source by http://www.survival-international.org/news/2694

Friday, November 23, 2007

Danutthom Kathin Chibar Dan at Lakpaindang Buddha Bihar

Two-day long “Danutthom Kathin Chibar Dan”, one of the biggest religious festivals observed by the Buddhist community in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) began last Monday at the Lakpaindang Buddha Bihar. The Bihar is located in a remote area under Manikchhari Upazila.“Danutthom Kathin Chibar Dan” refers to the ritual of weaving a material within 24 hours, which is gifted to the 'Bante', 'Sramon' (religious leader) as a means of salvation. Devotees also donate money, paper, books and other necessities to the Bihar on the occasion.Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Member Sanu Mong Marma inaugurated the two-day function on Monday. Some 2,000 people from 15 villages, in traditional attire, thronged the Bihar.Among others, Bangladesh Marma Aikka Parishad (BMAP) President Babu Kongchairi Marma and general secretary of BMAP, Babusshi Chowdhury attended the programme.As part of the occasion, a village fair was also held at the venue. Yesterday Buddha Puja, Sanghadan, Austra Puroskardan and Bhikkhu Sanger Pinda Dan and Kathin Chibar Dan were observed at the Bihar.
One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka's drainage capability.

Source by:-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=12521

Tiny Buddhist community threatened by devastation

Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s Buddhist Rakhain community fears for its survival after last week’s cyclone wiped out their main source of food.The tiny community, which numbers less than 3,000 in this devastated part of the country, settled in coastal villages centuries ago after travelling from Myanmar via the southeastern Chittagong hill tracts.They live mainly on crabs, insects, worms and wild boar that they hunt in the nearby Sunderbans mangrove forest.The destruction wrought last week by cyclone Sidr, however, has disrupted their age-old food gathering traditions.“The worms in the ground have gone - they are now buried under tonnes of sand,” said resident Chin Teng Maung, a 40-year-old Rakhain man, as he queued to receive government food aid.“I went to the forest twice in the last four days, but could not catch anything,” said Maung.“Even the insects in the trees are gone. The cyclone has destroyed everything. We don’t know how we’ll survive without any regular source of hunting,” added Mae Dong Che, who used to make a living selling crabs at a local market.Last Thursday’s devastating cyclone triggered a 6m tidal wave that killed thousands of people and wiped out entire villages.The isolated Rakhain community in southern Bangladesh lives in six hamlets among the predominantly Muslim population, closely guarding their language and culture.The first Rakhains are believed to have migrated from their homeland to escape political turmoil in the 15th century and gradually settled in the Chittagong hill tracts, close to the Myanmar border, and further afield along the southern Bangladesh coast.In 1951, records show around 17,000 Rakhain were living in Bangladesh - divided between the hill tracts and the southern coast.But the 1991 census recorded just 7,000.Local people said the coastal Rakhains were the first to clear mangrove jungle to build human settlements in one of the remotest parts of the country.But their number dwindled as the Bengali population spread southwards. Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated and impoverished countries with 40% of the 144mn population living on less than a dollar a day.“Unlike us, they don’t have any relatives (from other parts of the country) to bring them food. More than 95% of the people are so poor that they cannot afford a meal,” said Faruk Hawlader, a Muslim village elder.The Rakhain villagers said they lost 20 men in the cyclone - probably swept away by the tidal wave.“They went to catch crabs and insects in the jungle days before the cyclone. My father was one of them. Nobody returned after the cyclone,” Mama Ching, 20, said.Another villager, Aya Dow, 50, who lost two relatives said she knew they would not be returning.“I’m afraid all of them have died in the waves,” she said.Rakhains - Bangladesh’s official spelling of the group - come from the Arakan region of Myanmar, now known as Myanmar’s Rakhine state.–AFP

Source by-http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=185990&version=1&template_id=44&parent_id=24

Call to free CHT from terrorists

Leaders of the Fight for Equal Rights in Chittagong Hill-Tracts said peace keeping in the Hill Tracts was not prevailing even after 10 years of the peace accord signed on December 2 in 1997.The peace accord failed to stop gun-battle, killing, extortion and terrorism and caused sufferings to Bengalis who live in the region.The movement urged to make Chittagong Hill Tracts free from Jummaland terrorists and said JSS, UPDF and Jhum People Network have been hatching a conspiracy to detach Chittagong Hill Tracts, one-tenth of country, for the last 36 years.Bengalis of the Hill Tracts were being repressed by the tribal terrorists at various parts of the three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Now Bengalis of the area were neglected and deprived from their rights, the press release of the movement claimed.Terming the peace accord as a black agreement and December 2 as a black day, the movement said the accord is contradictory to the Constitution of the country and discriminatory.It also urged all to come forward to create public opinion against the accord.

Source by-http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2007/11/20/news0599.htm

CHT people worried over prevalence of anemia

People living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have been suffering from different health complexities including death risks and hindrances to physical and mental growth due to prevalence of anemia.Eighty (80) percent children aged 6 to 23 months are suffering from anemia, Jan-e-Alam, Deputy Project Director (DPD) of Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) informed this citing a survey report conducted by Hellen Keller, an international NGO.The ICDP has introduced a special programme in CHT in order to prevent and control anemia, a serious disease creator element.A total of 46 percent teenaged girls and 39 percent women aged up to 49 years are experiencing this evil element of disease in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, the DPD added.49 percent pregnant women living in the hilly region are also victims of the disease, he mentioned quoting the survey report.Although anemia itself is not a disease but it causes disease, Dr. Saiful Islam, Residential Medial Officer (RMO) of Rangamati General Hospital said adding, it hinders physical and mental growth of children and adolescents as well as abates resistance power in human body.Excessive anemia during pregnancy period increases death risk of both mothers and babies in the womb, the RMO said.The programme is being implemented preliminarily in 933 Para centres of ICDP in nine Upazilas under the three hill districts by providing iron tablet, vermicide tablet and iron powder. All the upazilas will be brought gradually under the programme, officials said.Besides, necessary advice such as taking food, which have plenty of iron and vitamin, are being disseminated among the villagers through Para workers and adolescent girl leaders to attain the goal of the programme.Meanwhile, two activists - one para worker and one adolescent girl leader from every centre of 933 were imparted training on the topic to make the programme a success.The nine upazilas, where the programme is running, are Rangamati sadar, Rajasthali and Baghaichhari of Rangamati district, Khagrachhari sadar, Matiranga and Lokkichhari under Khagrachhari district and Roangchhari, Niakkongchhari and Lama Upazila under Bandarban hill district as well as about 1.50 lakh people of 28,000 families in those upazilas are getting the service funded by UNICEF.Apart from the advice of taking vitamin-enriched food, the authority is advising the people to control diarrhea and malaria in order to remain aloof from anemia.The ICDP under Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, a major development agency of the area established in 1976, implements different programmes of Tk 180 crore to develop health condition of mothers and children living in the hilly region.

Source by-http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2007/11/20/news0605.htm

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Fresh Land Grabbing and Bengali Settlement Programme continued in CHT

Fresh Land Grabbing and Bengali Settlement Programme continued in CHT

News report submitted by: Ms. Rosaline DE Costa, Hotline Bangladesh.

Land grabbing by Bengali settlers and imminent forcible eviction of indigenous Jumma peoples from Sadhana Tila area under Dighinala Police Station, Khagrachari district of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh became a flashpoint. The Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple has been desecrated by the illegal plain settlers and is facing destruction. In addition, following the publication of a leaflet by the Students and Youth Committee Against Land Aggression, Zone Commander of Dighinala, Major Qamrul Hassan summoned Mr. Sattyendriyo Chakma, headman of Baghaichari Mouza (Kapaeeng Watch mistakenly mentioned Mr. Jnanendriyo Chakma as Headman of Babuchara mouza in previous report), to the zone headquarters, interrogated and threatened to kill him if he did not allow the illegal settlers to capture the Sadhana Tila land.
Since 15 August 2007, indigenous peoples of Sadhana Tila have been living on the edges of an impending communal riot as the military authorities have undertaken programmes to settle over 800 illegal plain settler families by evicting indigenous Jumma peoples and destroying the Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple. Indigenous Jumma peoples have been living in these lands from time immemorial.
As the Sadhana Tila became a flashpoint, on 28 August 2007, Chief of Bangladesh Army, General Moeen U Ahmed visited the area. Since then, the situation has only deteriorated.
On 2 September 2007, the illegal plain settlers destroyed some of the houses of indigenous Jumma peoples around Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple. Earlier on 1 September 2007 at around 12 noon, a group of settlers led by Md. Malek and Chand Mian pulled down the signboard of Sadhana Tila temple and smashed it. They also threatened the Buddhist monks to leave the temple and destroyed a few houses of the Jumma people at Sadhana Tila.
I. State's attempts to implant over 800 families of illegal settlers at Sadhana Tila
The Sadhana Tila area under Dighinala Police Station comprises about 300 acres of land and houses a Buddhist Meditation Center and a sizable indigenous Jumma population. As stated above, indigenous Jumma peoples have been living in these villages from time immemorial.
Since 13 August 2007, the illegal plain settlers supported by the Bangladesh army personnel and the Bangladesh police have launched programmes to forcibly capture the lands of the area. Bangladesh army personnel led by Dighinala Zone Commander, Major Qamrul Hassan ordered the Buddhist monks residing in the Sadhana Tila Buddhist Temple and indigenous peoples living around the Buddhist temple to leave in order to settle over 800 illegal plain settlers' families.
As indigenous Jumma peoples refused to comply, trucks and jeeps load of illegal settlers have been coming to Sadhana Tila and cutting the jungle around the Buddhist temple for constructing houses under the protection and command of the Bangladesh army and police personnel.
On 23 August 2007 at about 5 pm, a group of illegal settlers broke into the temple boundary and began cutting tress and shrubs belonging to the temple. When the Jumma villagers protested, the army and the police falsely accused the Buddhist monks of possessing arms and wanted to search the temple. A violent confrontation between the Jummas and the illegal settlers was narrowly prevented after the intervention of Union Council Chairman, Mr Paritosh Chakma.
II. Involvement of the local civilian administration and the army
The Bangladesh Army and police personnel have been actively involved in the land grabbing at Sadhana Tila area. The army authorities have reportedly announced an incentive grant of Taka 50,000 for each settler family who will be willing to settle there, in addition to Taka 1,000 as monthly allowance. The army personnel have also reportedly threatened to stop free food rations to those settlers who do not want to settle in Sadhana Tila area.
Since 30 August 2007, the army personnel themselves have been cutting jungles around Kamala Bagan School near Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple. They have also stepped up patrol to provide protection to the plain settlers.
III. Request for interventions
The situation is so grave that the possibility of a communal riot cannot be ruled out if the indigenous peoples protest against their eviction or destruction of their temple. The illegal plain settlers simply have been on a riotous mood. They have been using various tactics to instigate the indigenous peoples to protest in order to get some reasons for launching a full-scale communal attack on the indigenous peoples.
About 81 indigenous Jumma elders such as Headmen, Karbaris (village chief), women leaders, incumbent and former Chairmen and members of the Union Councils submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district on 2 September 2007 to stop the atrocities. Since the atrocities have intensified following the visit of General Moeen U Ahmed, it is unlikely that the Deputy Commissioner will be able to take effective measures.
Please find the attachment for details on Situation of CHT in Bangladesh during State of Emergency.
Kapaeeng Watch appeals to influence Government of Bangladesh for stopping land grabbing and settlement programme of Bangali settlers in CHT, south-eastern part of Bangladesh.
LV : Emergency gears up ethnic cleansing in CHT, Bangladesh
The present military-backed Caretaker Government of Bangladesh of Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed imposes the State of Emergency in the country amid conflict political situation on 12 January 2007. Under the state of emergency, the Joint Forces led by military forces are conducting drive against the corrupt politicians, businessmen and godfathers. As part of this drive, a few godfathers and corrupt leaders of last four-party alliance government have been arrested in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). However the military forces have been using the state of emergency with a different motive in case of indigenous peoples in CHT. Basically it has been used to suppress the voice of indigenous Jumma people of CHT.
While the military-backed Caretaker Government has continued its crackdown on corrupt politicians much to the relief of the common citizens, the government forces in CHT are hugely misusing the emergency power equating corrupt Bengali politicians and businessmen with the Jumma rights defenders. The military forces are using the emergency rules to unleash sweeping political repression against indigenous Jumma peoples including two Jumma political parties Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and their front organisations.
On the other, though present Caretaker Government undertook various vital initiatives that are most crucial and urgent for national interest, such as, drive against corruption, separation of judiciary from the executive and amendment of relevant laws for the same within a few months, re-constitution of Anti-Corruption Commission, Election Commission and Public Service Commission, but no initiative has yet been taken for implementation of the CHT Peace Accord by the Caretaker government. Rather, by taking the advantage of the state of emergency, the military forces have increased anti-Accord activities, such as, forcible occupation of indigenous Jumma people’s land, settlement of Bengali Muslim families to outnumbering indigenous and setting up new camp to support them, strengthening of extreme communal forces through Sama Odhikar Andolan and nomination of them to Hill District Councils (HDCs), trying to replace Bengali members of CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) with extremist leaders of Sama Odhikar Andolan (Equal Right Movement) etc.
A. Arrest, detention and torture of indigenous activists
While the ongoing crackdown on the corrupt politicians across the country is a commendable job, the arrest of the members of the ethnic Jumma organisaitons who are fighting for their just rights cannot be acceptable. There is wide apprehension that the government agencies may misuse the emergency powers to arrest the ethnic Jumma rights activists in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Particularly the government forces have targeted the indigenous Jumma activists including members of the PCJSS. To materialise their allegation, the government forces have been showing arm recovery from arrestees' possession putting their (army) arm and hence lodging false arm case against them. Since the promulgation of the State of Emergency, at least 2 innocent villagers have been killed and 50 indigenous activists have been arrested by the government forces. Among them, PCJSS claims at least 20 members and UPDF claims at least 10 members have been arrested. In addition, it has also been reported that at least 20 innocent Jummas including public representatives, women and villagers have also been held. Please annexure for list of arrested activists.
Filing false cases against arrestees and punishing them
Allegations have been received that most of them have been arrested putting arms and ammunitions by the army. They all are falsely charged not only for keeping illegal arms and ammunitions, but also for extortion, kidnapping, killing etc. In some cases, the cases have been filed under section 16(b) of the Emergency Power Rules of 2007 which restricts release on bail to accused during the enquiry, investigation and trial of the case.
Among the arrested activists (please see annexure), Mr. Satyabir Dewan, General Secretary of PCJSS, Mr. Ranglai Mro, mouza Headman and UP Chairman, Mr. Bikram Marma, President of PCJSS Kaptai branch and Sai Mong Marma, Organising Secretary of PCJSS Kaptai branch have been punished 17 years imprisonment for each. The statements of complainant and witnesses have been studied by the reporter that the statements of complainer and witnesses against them given to the court were contradictory to the statements of the case submitted to the police station, but the punishment was declared. One of lawyers of Satyabir Dewan said that military forces led Major Yasin from Rangamati brigade verbally ordered the judges of the Chittagong judge court to declare punishment to all the cases filed against indigenous activists.
Relatives of both arrested activists said that they have been arrested putting arms by the military forces from their residence. Mr. Polo Dewan, son of Satyabir Dewan confirmed that he witnessed putting a country-made pipe-gun under his bed by an army person as he was at the room at that time. He said that he protested against it. But the army threatened to arrest him too.
On the other, Tanindra Lal Chakma, central member of PCJSS was arrested in connection with false extortion case filed by Md. Fuyad Hussain, Manager of Grameen Bank of Babuchara branch with Dighinala police station. Wife of Tatindra Lal Chakma claimed that the government forces compelled Md. Fuyad Hussain to file this case against her husband. However, as Mrs. Chakma said, her husband was granted bail in June 2007 as complainant denied before court to have involvement of Mr. Chakma with this extortion. Again, Mrs. Chakma also claimed that bail of her husband was cancelled on 23 July 2007 as Md. Fuyad Hussain again withdrawn his statement due to tremendous pressure from military. Md. Fuyad Hussain did not agree to talk on this issue with this reporter. Mrs. Chakma also confirmed that two cases falsely charging for killing have also been filed against her husband with Dighinala police station on 2 August 2007. Mr. Tatindra Lal is veteran ex-combatant and competent organiser.
One of false cases is arm case against Mr. Shaktipada Tripura and Bholash Tripura filed on 14 June 2007. It is reported on that day the Joint Forces conducted massive raid house of Mr. Shaktipada Tripura, Organising Secretary of central committee of PCJSS. His wife informed that during the raid, military forces searched the house, but found nothing and hence left the house. However, they came back after few minutes. They again encircled the house and declared themselves to recovery a country-made gun from back of the house. The military picked up Mr. Bholash Tripura, Finance Secretary of Khagrachari district branch of Hill Student Council, from the house. Two cases for keeping illegal arms and foreign currency were filed against Shaktipada Tripura and Bholash Tripura with Khagrachari police station. Bholash Tripura was also shown arrest under section of 16(b) of Emergency Power Rules of 2007. Shaktipada who are also vocal traditional leader (Headman) in Khagrachari was compelled to leave his place for avoiding arrest.
Brutal torture on arrestees indiscriminately is a must
Complaint has also been received that during the custody of the government forces and remand, most arrested activists have been brutally tortured and harassed. Mr. Ranglai Mro, for example, has been tortured inhumanly at army camp. It is learnt that due to serious condition, the police of Bandarban police station did not agree to receive him while army tried to hand over to them at late night of 23 February. At the last, he was admitted to Bandarban district hospital by the joint forces and transferred to Chittagong Medical College hospital later. Mr. Mro has been targeted as he has been raising voice against the eviction of the local people including indigenous Mro families in the name of the expansion of Ruma cantonment.
Similarly, the relatives of the victims also confirmed that arrested activists, namely, Sai Mong Marma, Nagor Chakma, Sumit Chakma, Bholash Tripura were brutally tortured during army custody.
Two killed during emergency
An innocent villager Suresh Mohan Chakma (40) died after severe military torture in Ghilachari of Rangamati district. It has been reported that on 3 March 2007 a group of army personnel from Ghilachari camp under Naniachar Thana raided the house of Suresh Mohan Chakma s/o Phedera Chakma in the village of Choichari. The victim was groaning with high fever with an intravenous drip set up when the arrest was made. However, the army provided no rationale for the arrest nor showed any warrant. After the arrest Mr. Chakma was taken to the camp and was severely beaten. He was released after three days on 6 March. The next day he died as a direct result of the torture.
Mr. Rasel Chakma s/o Paritosh Chakma of west Dewan Para under Naniarchar sub-district in Rangamati district was killed during the custody of security forces. He was arrested on 5 August 2007 from his house by the military forces. Security forces said that he was killed by heart attack. The dead body was taken to Rangamati hospital for post-mortem. Dr. Amal Chakma transferred the dead body to Chittagong Medical hospital for post-mortem, as there is no similarity between the statements of the security forces and wounds of the dead body. Rasel Chakma might be killed due to brutal of the security forces. See Bengali national daily Prothom Ali, 7 August 2007 for reference.
Pressure on indigenous activists does not stop after arrest and detention
In fact, pressure on indigenous activists does not stop by arresting and sending detention of their leaders, the government forces are putting pressure on the indigenous activists who are yet not arrested to give up raising voice against military and Bengali settlers including resignation from their respective organisation. Among other, Shuva Mangal Chakma, PCJSS leader and Chairman of Kengrachari Union confirmed that due to tremendous pressure of Bilaichari army zone he signed on a paper where contained that he would not continue work with PCJSS and give up politics and would be liable if any crime, such as, extortion, kidnapping etc is happened. Similarly indigenous activists including public representatives and PCJSS members in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts have been compelled by the military to sign on such paper.
It is also reported that in May 2007 Zone Commander of Jurachari army camp of 8 Bengal under Kaptai brigade is also organizing public meeting with the indigenous people where he speaks against the indigenous activists, particularly PCJSS leadership. He is also threatening indigenous people and permanent Bengali residents to face severe consequences if they would continue supports to the PCJSS and other indigenous activists.
Mr. Biplab Tripura, General Secretary of PCJSS Khagrachari branch said to this reporter that the military is pressuring on PCJSS leaders of Tripura community to leave PCJSS and to compromise with military; otherwise they would be faced cases like Shaktipada Tripura and Bholash Tripura. Mrinal Tripura, Sudhakar Tripura, Braja Tripura etc are of Tripura activists who are under tremendous military pressure. They all are vocal for indigenous cause in CHT.
False cases are also being lodged against the indigenous activists so that they compel to leave their work area or to go hiding with an aim to destroy leadership or to make leadership vacuum among the indigenous peoples. Mangal Kanti Chakma (32), Chairman of local Union Parishad (UP) and PCJSS leader in Longadu sub-district told to this reporter that a case for extortion and kidnapping against 14 activists including himself and Laxmi Prasad Chakma, Vice President of PCJSS was filed with Longadu police station by Rup Kumar Chakma from Jurachari sub-district on 22 June 2007. He said that Rup Kumar Chakma is well known army informer in Rangamati. Mr. Mangal Kanti is of opinion that this case is nothing but repression and harassment on indigenous activists in order to suppress their voices.
B. Land grabbing and settlement of Bengali families increased
The military authority is charged with whipping up of communal violence against the Jumma people. Again, the military authority is aiding, abetting and instigating the Bengali Muslim settlers for the forcible occupation of more and more Jumma peoples’ land. Even the military authority itself is acquisitioning more and more Jumma’s land on one pretext or another. The Jumma people have no redress against this injustice. Further the military authority still receives over 10,000 metric tons of food grains every year for Pacification Programme to rehabilitate more and more Bengali Muslim settlers to turn CHT region into Muslim-majority region.
It is reported, for instance, that last June 2007, the military forces settled down at least 200 families of Bengali settlers at Dantkupya village under Khagrachari sub-district evicting 12 families of indigenous people from their traditional land. Mr. Prithwiraj Chakma, a villager of Dantkupya said to this report writer that a camp was set up on his land on 8 March 2007 by the military forces of 32 Bengal in order to provide security to the settler families. He also confirmed that the General Commanding Officer (GOC) of 24th infantry division of Chittagong cantonment visited the camp on 29 July 2007 for this purpose. See annexure for details.
On the other, complain has been received from a relative of Kabakhali mouza Headmen requesting not to be named that military forces undertook plan to be settled about 300 families of Bengali setters at Kripapur village under Kabakhali mouza soon. The military have already visited the places for the same. On the other, this source also confirmed that settlement programme is going on at Merung, Changrachari and Betchari under Dighinala sub-district and Lemuchari and Itchari areas under Mahalchari sub-district.
Rasamoy Chakma, one of victims of land dispossession in Khagrachari said that from January 2006 to June 2006 Bengali settlers from Nunchari cluster village occupied more than 500 acres of land and built about 300 houses on the recorded lands of the Jumma people of Gamaridhala under Khagrachari sadar sub-district. They also occupied lands of the Bouddha Shishughar Orphanage and Jumma villagers at Saprue Karbari Para under Mahalchari sub-district. Every day they threatened the Jumma people for committing communal riots.
One Priti Marma of Khagrachari informed to this reporter that Upazila Nirbahi Officer (sub-district executive officer) of Mahalchari sun-district directed by Mahalchari army zone called a meeting on land disputes at his office on 5 August 2007 with representatives of both Bengali settlers and Jumma villagers. But bypassing the demand of Jumma people, the UNO ordered the Jumma people to be presented their land documents within a few days. Priti Marma also claimed that there are huge traditionally occupied lands, other than recorded lands. Traditionally occupied lands do not require to have land deed. It is mentionable that government does not formally recognize the rights of the traditionally occupied lands. Government regards these lands as state-owned. They are also known as Khas lands. Priti Marma said that government forces are using State of Emergency in occupying Jumma’s land in order to move programme of ethnic cleansing forward.
With an aim to conduct this land grabbing and settlement programmes uninterrupted, the military forces are forming so-called ‘Shanti Committee’ (Peace Committee) with representatives both from Jumma and Bengali settlers in several places. Mr. Ramani Mohan Chakma, Headman of Dantkupya mouza confirmed, for example, that such committee was formed at Dantkupya villager in his chair. Three representatives from each Bengali and Jumma community included as member of this committee. One of the members requesting not to be named said that Jumma villagers were compelled to be member of this committee. He also said that this committee is nothing but to continue military’s work uninterrupted. He also expressed that no Jumma people agree willingly to be member to this committee as their lands have been seizing. On the contrary, they have option to protest against this activity as State of Emergency is going in the country.
Meanwhile, recently in March 2007, the authority of Ruma cantonment ordered to leave area as they acquired about 7570 acres of ancestral land of indigenous peoples for expansion of Ruma garrison. More than 4000 indigenous family mostly belong to Mro community will loose their land due to acquisition. Mro leaders claim local people have not been consulted before taking land acquisition. One of the office bearer of the Movement for Protection of Land Rights and Forest, a land rights organisation based in Rangamati, claimed that only in Bandarban district in CHT, 40,077 acres of land were given lease to the outsiders. In addition, a total 94,066 acres of land for so-called afforestation and 75,686 acres for military base have already been acquired in the same district.
On the other, complain has been received from Mr. Chandra Lal Chakma, a PCJSS member in Bilaichari upazila that RB Habildar Rafuque of Digholachari army zone of 8 Bengal in Bilaishari under Rangamati district forced him to leave his recorded grove land handing over to a Bengali Muslim settler named Md. Abdul Aziz in May 2007. He said that Abdul Aziz has been living on this land for years without his permission. However, Aziz recently decided to go back to his original home district of Sylhet by selling this land to a Bengali settler named Md. Motaleb. Receiving this information, Mr. Chakma put objection to Bilaichari police station and one police officer named Samiran Chakrabarty looked into the objection and declared judgment in favour of Mr. Chakma. But Abdul Aziz took shelter to Digholachari zone complaining that Mr. Chakma forcibly evicted his family and army of Digholachari zone forced Mr. Chakma to hand over his land to said Bengali settler otherwise he would be faced crossfire. Now Mr. Chakma left his home area for security reason.
In the last week of July 2007 high military officials in Khagrachari met with District Awami League and BNP leaders in a meeting at Brigade headquarters. Ultra communalists like Joynal Abedin, chairman of Khagrachari Municipality, leader of so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon and a close aide to jailed ex-MP Abdul Waddud Bhuiyan, and Zahedul Alam, General Secretary of Khagrachari branch of AL, among others, were present at the meeting. They discussed the settler issue and decided to begin settlement expansion. The military officers urged both the AL and BNP leaders to shun mutual political bickering and work for the common interest of the Bengalis in CHT.
C. Strengthening of the extreme nationalists and communal organisations geared up
Military forces have also been supporting the extreme nationalists and communal organisations in CHT to implement its policy of Islamisation. Among others, Bangali Krishak-Shramik Kalyan Parishad (Bengali Peasant-Labourers’ Welfare Council), Parbatya Gana Parishad (Council of Hill Tracts People), Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad (Hill Tracts Bengali Students’ Council), Parbatya Chattagram Sama Odhikar Andolan (CHT Equal Rights Movement), Sarba Daliya Bangali Oikya Parishad (All Party Bengali United Council), Parbatya Bangali Oikya Parishad (Hill Tracts Bengali United Council), Nagarik Forum (Citizens’ Forum), Bengali Tigers etc. are the most active organisations in CHT.
The main activities of these organisations are to orgnise Bengali Muslims, particularly settlers against the indigenous community, to create communal tension in CHT and commit attack on indigenous localities, to occupy indigenous people’s land forcibly, to oppose implementation of the CHT Accord, to counter the activities of indigenous peoples’ organisations mainly PCJSS and other supportive organisations etc. The Sama Odhikar Andolan (Equal Rights Movement) is the latest extreme nationalists and communal organisation, which was formed under the leadership of BNP’s ex-MP Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan who have been arrested by the Joint Forces. Mr. Bhuiyan was a product of military forces, but he sank into deep corruption, hence military forces deployed in Khagrachari had no way to protect him. However, the military forces are still supporting the followers of the Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan.
As part of the strengthening of the extreme nationalists and communal organisations, military forces supported to organise district conference of the Sama Odhikar Andolan held on 20 July 2007 at office of the Khagrachari Contractors’ Association. Though State of Emergency does not permit to organise such conference, but Sama Odhikar Andolan could easily do it. As per decision, holding of sub-district level conferences and reconstitution of sub-district committee of the Sama Odhikar Andolan are also going on uninterrupted.
On the other, the followers of Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan have been rehabilitated to Khagrachari Hill District Council (KHDC) nominating them as member of this council in July 2007. The Chairman of the council, Mr. Manindra Lal Tripura was appointed by Adbul Wadud Bhuiyan during the regime of BNP-led coalition government. He has been kept up as chairman. The Bengali member of the newly constituted KHDC, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique is BNP leader and Sama Odhikar leader as well. Other three new Jumma members, namely, Mr. Animesh Dewan, Mr. Sanu Mong Marma and Mr. Ruitoi Marma are also leaders of BNP and beneficiaries of Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan.
D. No initiative for implementation of the CHT Peace Accord
Since assuming to the state power by the present Caretaker Government undertook various vital initiatives that were not addressed by any political government, such as, drive against widespread corruption, separation of judiciary from the executive, re-constitution of Anti-Corruption Commission etc, but it is the Dr. Fakruddin Ahmad’s interim government who addresses the same. Considering this, the indigenous Jumma people hoped that this neutral Caretaker Government would start proper implementation of the CHT Peace Accord that was also kept unimplemented by the previous political governments. However, though 8 months have passed, no proper initiative has yet been taken for implementation of the CHT Peace Accord by the Caretaker government.
It is slightly signaled hope that three meetings have been held during the present Caretaker government. But no progress has been made to this direction. The first meeting was held in April by Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad Chowdhury, Advisor for CHT Affairs Ministry (CHTAM) with four chairmen of CHT Regional Council and three Hill District Councils. The 2nd meeting of Advisory Committee of CHTAM was also held by Advisory Committee of the Ministry of CHT Affairs at his office. It is reported that development activities of the CHT, implementation of the CHT Peace Accord and other issues were discussed in the meeting, but no concrete decision has been taken in the meeting. Indigenous people in CHT claim that the meeting was nothing but eyewash.
Besides, another meeting of the Task Force on rehabilitation of the returnee tribal refugee and internally tribal displaced families was also held at circuit house of Khagrachari district, chaired by Mr. Samiron Dewan, Chairman of the Task Force on 3 June 2007. But no decision or discussion has been made on rehabilitation of the internally Jumma displaced persons who are living in miserable condition.
On the contrary, the government curtailed at least one-third budget of CHT Regional Council, an apex body of the special administrative arrangement for CHT. Now CHT Regional Council is facing financial crises to run its activities.
The indigenous people of CHT demanded proper implementation of the CHT Peace Accord to the Caretaker Government. Recently in the programme organised on occasion of international day of world’s indigenous peoples in Dhaka, participants and speakers both among from civil society of mainstream people and indigenous peoples again raised demand for implementation of the Accord. They are of opinion that this is Caretaker Government who could implement the Accord like other crucial issues, such as, drive against the corruption, separation of judiciary from the executive, re-constitution of Anti-Corruption Commission etc.
However, they claimed that the military forces are still reluctant to implement the Accord. The military authority continues to be final policy making and law enforcing authority in the CHT like as before during the political government. Anti-Accord attitude of the military forces is the main challenge in implementing the Accord.
Appeal:
Like widespread corruption, terrorism and abuse of power in Bangladesh, the CHT problem as well as non-implementation of the CHT Peace Accord is also a crucial national problem in the country. For the sake of good governance and rules of law in the CHT, implementation of the CHT Peace Accord is a must. Without proper and speedy implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, a congenial atmosphere for free, fair and impartial election could not be ensured in the region. In order to resolve CHT problem through political and peaceful means and to create a favourable atmosphere for free and fair election, international community should influence present Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Military Forces to:
1. start initiative for speedy implementation of the CHT Accord that paves the way for the peace and development in the region;
2. prepare voter list of the region only with the permanent residents of CHT as per CHT Peace Accord and allow to enter international observers in CHT during the preparation of voter lists and election as well;
3. stop military atrocity and harassment on the indigenous peoples’ activists and withdraw the cases filed against them, and release them immediately;
4. stop settlement programme of Bengali settlers and land grabbing and return back them to their cluster villages until and unless land disputes are resolved through land commission.
===============================
This report has been prepared by Kapaeeng Watch in August 2007. E--mail address: kapaeeng.watch@micico.ch, kapaeeng.watch@gmail.com

Annexure
Arrested:
Since the promulgation of the State of Emergency, at least one innocent villager has been killed and 50 indigenous activists have been arrested by the government forces. Among them, at least 20 members of PCJSS have been arrested. In addition, it has also been reported that at least 20 innocent Jummas including public representatives, women and villagers have also been held. Some of arrested activists are identified as follows:
Sl.
Name and address
Designation
Date of arrest & jail now staying
Description of case
State of case and jail staying
1.
Bikram Marma,
Chandraghona Christian Missionary Hospital,
Kaptai upazila
President of PCJSS, Kaptai upazila branch
04/02/07,
Chittagong jail
Case with Chandraghona police station, section- 19(a)(f) of Arms Act 1878
Sentenced 17 years imprisonment by Chittong judge court declared in July 2007.
2.
Sumit Chakma
Jurachari,
Rangamati
Assistant General Secretary (AGS) of PCP, Rangamati district branch
06/02/07,
Rangamati jail

Case is running
3.
Sai Mong Marma,
s/o Abu Mong Marma,
Raikhali,
Chandraghona area,
Kaptai upazila
Organising Secretary, Kaptai upazila branch of PCJSS
11/02/07,
Chittagong jail
GR no. 25/07, Chandraghona police station, section- 19(a)(f) of Arms Act 1878
Sentenced 10 years imprisonment by Chittagong judge court declared in July 2007
4.
Satyabir Dewan (56)
s/o Hira Lal Dewan,
Balpiya Adam,
Rangamati Town
General Secretary of PCJSS
18/02/07,
Rangamati jail
1. Case no. 6 of Kotowali police station dated 18-02-2007, section 19(a)(f) of Arm Act of 1878 for keeping illegal arm;
2. Case no. 1 of Jurachari police station dated 01-12-2006, section 364/34 of BPC for killing;
3. Case no. 12 of Kotowali police station dated 25-02-2007, section 25(b) of SPA 1974 for keeping illegal foreign coin;
4. Case no. 9 of Kotowali police station dated 29-01-2007, section 302/34 of BPC for killing;
5. Case no. 1 of Naniarchar police station dated 12-06-2006, section 326/307/34 of BPC for attempt to murder
Sentenced 17 years imprisonment by Chittagong judge court declared in July 2007 for arm case in June 2007 and other cases is running.
5.
Bimal Kanti Chakma (50)
s/o Dhirendra Lal Chakma,
Banjogichara,
Jurachari upazial
Central Member of PCJSS
18/02/07,
Rangamati jail
Section- 364/302/34 of BPC for killing after kidnap
Case is running.
6.
Ranjit Kumar Dewan (50)
s/o Satyandra Nath Dewan
Banjogichara,
Jurachari upazila
President of Jurachari upazila branch of PCJSS
18/02/07, Rangamati jail
Section- 364/302/34 of BPC for killing after kidnap
Case is running
7.
Udayjoy Chakma (47)
s/o Chandrajoy Chakma,
Ghilatali,
Jurachari upazila
General Secretary of Jurachari upazila branch of PCJSS
18/02/07,
Rangamati jail
Section- 364/302/34 of BPC for killing after kidnap
Case is running
8.
Mayachan Chakma (46)
s/o Kshirode Ranjan Chakma,
Banjogichara,
Jurachari upazila
Orgamising Secretary of Jurachari upazila branch of PCJSS
18/02/07,
Rangamati jail
Section- 364/302/34 of BPC for killing after kidnap
Case is running
9.
Ranglai Mro (45),
Ujanai Para,
Bandarban Town
Chairman of Sualok union council and headman of Sualok mouza
23/02/07,
Chittagong jail
Arms case with BAndarban police station
Sentenced 17 years imprisonment by Chittagong judge court declared in July 2007 for arm case in June 2007.
10.
Balabhadra Chakma alias Pranjal (45)
s/o Kalendra Chakma,
College Tilla,
Dighinala upazila
Vice President of Dighinala upazila branch
05/03/07,
granted bail
Case no. 2 of Dighinala police station dated 06-03-2007, section 385/507 of BPC
Case is running
11.
Manubha Ranjan Chakma (47)
s/o Sudhir Chandra Dewan,
Karengatali,
Baghaichari upazila
President of Baghaichari upazila branch of PCJSS
05/03/07,
Khagrachari jail
Case no. 6, dated 15/02/07 of Dighinala police station, section- 326/307/302/34 of BPC and
Case no. GR 37/2007, section 302 of BPC, and case no. 49/2007, section 307/34 of BPC
Case is running
12.
Tatindra Lal Chakma alias Pele (55),
Khagrachari Town
Central Committee member of PCJSS
05/05/07,
Khagrachari jail
1. Case with Dighinala police station, section- 385/386 BPC
2. Case under section- 16(2) of Emergency Power Act 2007
Case is running
13.
Nagor Chakma (31)
s/o Sudhir Chandra Chakma,
Baradam,
Dighinala upazila
Businessman
05/05/07, Khagrachari jail
Case with Dighinala police station, section- 385/386 BPC
Case is running
14.
Amar Jiban Chakma (36),
Rangamati
Chairman of Ghilachari union parishad
07/05/07,
Rangamati jail
Fake currency and drug case with Naniarchar police station
Case is running
15.
Santoshita Chakma alias Bakul,
s/o Sidhir Chandra Chakma,
Mahajan Para,
Khagrachari Town
General Secretary of CHT Returnee Jumma Refugee Welfare Association
03/06/07,
Khagrachari jail
1. GD no. 138 dated 03/06/07 of Khagrachari police station, Section- 16(2) of Emergency Power Act 2007
2. Case no. 6, dated 15/02/07, section- 326/307/302/34 BPC
Case is running
16.
Bholash Tripura,
s/o Jamaddar Tripura,
Khagrapur,
Khagrachari
Finance Secretary of Khagrachari district branch of PCP
14/06/07,
Khagrachari jail
Case with Khagrachari police station, section- 19(a) of Arms Act, keeping illegal arms
Case is running
17.
Fattua Chakma alias Jangi
a returnee member of PCJSS
16/06/07,
Rangamati jail
GR-179/07 of Longadu police station, dated 22-06-07, Section- 365/386/34 BPC, kidnapping and collection of ransom and
Case with Kotowali police station, Section- 364/302/34 for killing after kidnap
Case is running
18.
Runtu Chakma
Member of Khagrachari upazila branch, PCJSS
18/07/07,
Khagrachari jail
Arms case
Case is running
19.
Saprue Marma (70)
s/o Niche Marma
Fasya Mahajan Para,
Maischari union,
Mahalchari upazila
Villager
10/020/07, Khagrachari jail


20.
Mongshe Marma (32)
s/o Chai Prue Marma
Fasya Mahajan Para,
Maischari union,
Mahalchari upazila
Villager
10/020/07,
Khagrachari jail


21.
Ripon Chakma from Noa Bazaar of Batnatoli of Manikchari upazila
UPDF activist
May 07 2007,
Khagrachari jail


22.
Milton Chakma from Chengi Bridge in Khagrachari town
UPDF leader
29 May 2007,
Khagrachari jail




False case lodged:

At least 100 activists including PCJSS workers have been compelled to leave home areas for security reason. The following activists are identified against whom case was filed:

Sl.
Name of the activists
Address
Description of case
1.
Shaktipada Tripura
Khagrapur,
Khagrachari
Case with Khagrachari police station, section- 19(a) of Arms Act, keeping illegal arms
2.
Laxmi Prasad Chakma
s/o Satyabrata Chakma
Kalyanpur,
Rangamati
1. GR-179/07 of Longadu police station, dated 22-06-07, Section- 365/386/34 BPC, kidnapping and collection of ransom and
2. Case with Kotowali police station, Section- 364/302/34 for killing after kidnap
3.
Hitoshi Chakma (40)
Balpiya Adam,
Rangamati
GR-179/07 of Longadu police station, dated 22-06-07, Section- 365/386/34 BPC, kidnapping and collection of ransom
4.
Sahan Chakma (43)
TTC Area,
Rangamati
-do-
5.
Sukhamoy Chakma (40)
s/o Jagadish Chakma
Hemachandra Para,
Longadu
-do-
6.
Mangal Kanti Chakma (32)
UP Chairman
Longadu
-do-
7.
Nirode Ranjan Chakma (Raktim) (52)
Harikata,
Longadu
-do-
8.
Nirmal Kanti Chakma (32)
s/o Dinaram Chakma
Jurachari
-do-
9.
Prabartak Chakma (45)
s/o Sudhabar Chakma
Jurachari
-do-
10.
Suresh Kumar Chakma (43)
Chairman, Banjogichara UP
Jurachari
-do-
11.
Sindhu Priya Chakma (30)
s/o Bishnu Chakma
Jurachari
-do-
12.
Ritan Chakma (28)
Jurachari
-do-
13.
Ashapurna Chakma (42)
TTC Road,
Rangamati
-do-
14.
Tribindu Chakma
s/o Fulkamal Chakma
Aimachara,
Barkal
Section- 364/302/34 of BPC for killing after kidnap
15.
Utpal Chakma
s/o Birasen Chakma
Aimachara,
Barkal
-do-
16.
Jayanta Lal Chakma
s/o Khamar Chakma
Madyam Balukhali,
Jurachari
-do-
17.
Kenon Babu Dewan
s/o Jatindra Dewan
Ghilatali,
Jurachari
-do-


Land Grabbing

Among the 52 affected families of Dantkupya mouza under Khagrachari sadar sub-district whose lands have been occupied by the Bengali settlers, the following owners have been identified:

Sl.
Name and father’s name
Land in acre
Remarks
1.
Prithwiraj Chakma s/o late Mahesh Chandra Chakma
4.0
New camp setup
2.
Jnana Kumar Chakma s/o unknown
4.5
Nearby camp
3.
Binota Ranjan Dewan s/o late Bijoy Chandra Dewan
4.0
Nearby camp
4.
Kanti Bhushan Dewan s/o Sadhan Chandra Dewan
4.5
Nearby camp
5.
Shanti Ranjan Dewan s/o late Punyasen Dewan
5.0
Nearby camp
6.
Sukhini Kumar Chakma s/o Sadhan Mani Chakma
5.0
Nearby camp
7.
Sama Ratan Chakma s/o Kista Kishore Chakma
5.0
Nearby camp
8.
Nabarun Dewan s/o Punongchan Dewan
3.0
Nearby camp
9.
Binoy Krishna Chakma s/o Kalachan Chakma
5.0
Nearby camp
10.
Trishankar Dewan s/o Promade Bilas Dewan
4.0
Nearby camp
11.
Dina Dayal Dewan s/o Jatin Bilas Dewan
5.0
Nearby camp
12.
Kshetra Mohan Chakma s/o unknown
4.5
Nearby camp
13.
Jodu Mani Chakma s/o unknown
3.5
Nearby camp
14.
Priya Mani Chakma s/o unknown
6.8
Nearby camp
15.
Panna Dulal Chakma s/o Barada Chakma
5.0
Nearby camp


Among the 52 affected families of Lemuchari and Badanal villages of Lemuchari mouza under Mahalchari sub-district whose lands have been occupied by the Bengali settlers, the following owners have been identified:

Sl.
Name of the original owner
Land in acre
Land occupied by
1.
Bana Bihari Chakma
s/o Ram Muni Chakma
R-52,
4.0 acres
1. Raushan Ali
2. Aizal
3. Naher
4. Salu and others
2.
Jayanta Kumar Chakma
s/o Mam Muni Chakma
R-35,
5.0 acres
1. Alauddin
2. Naruddin
3. Kamal s/o Kuddus Mistri
3.
Amrita Lal Talukdar
s/o Ananda Talukdar
4.0 acres
1. Kabel Bhuiyan, 2. Ful Mian
3. Ahamad, 4. Ibrahim s/o Akkel Ali
5. Danish Munsi
4.
Jogesh Lal Chakma
s/o Chanmuni Chakma
--
1. Latif
2. Shahjalal
3. Saber Ali
5.
Nishi Muni Chakma
s/o Ramkamal Chakma
R-65,
3.0 acres
1. Molla
2. Mozammel s/o Molla
3. Arnish PC
4. Majid s/o Molla
5. Abul and others
6.
Juddha Muni Chakma
s/o Ramkamal Chakma
5.0 acres
1. Azim Dokandar, 2. Jahurul Islam
3. Chamesh, 4. Kamal Member
5. Kabi Ahmad
7.
Jiban Ratna Chakma
s/o Ramkamal Chakma
--
1. Abul Leader, 2. Azal Darhi
3. Joynal and others
8.
Siringya Chakma
s/o Purna Mazi Chakma
--
Army camp
9.
Kinaram Chakma
s/o Kadamba Chakma
--
Army camp
10.
Kalachoga Chakma
s/o Ratna Muni Chakma
--
Army camp
11.
Dhana Bihari Chakma
s/o Ram Muni Chakma
R-55,
3.0 acres
Settlers
Sources from http://hrcbm.org/news/news-cht-landgrab.html

Sunday, November 11, 2007

P R E S S R E L E A S E

JUMMA PEOPLES NETWORK UK
Website: www.jpnuk.orh.uk; E-mail: Jpn_uk@hotmail.com



P R E S S R E L E A S E

Press Release by Jumma Peoples Network UK on the “Peaceful Demonstration in front of the High Commission of Bangladesh”.

A peaceful demonstration was carried out by Jumma Peoples Network in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in London on October 25th 2007, from 10 to 11 am. The event was to highlight the deteriorating situation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts & in particular rampant land-grabbing by settlers and military & false arrests of indigenous activists across the region.

The event was attended by: Ansar Ahmed (Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Unity Council), Kamal Rajapakse (Sinhale Foundation), Wimal Ediriwira (Sri Lanka Association of Britain & Sinhala Centre), Ina Huma (Vanishing Rites), Dan Jones (Amnesty International, British Section) and Tissa Madawela (journalist); In total around thirty–five persons were present at the venue including members of the Jumma community.

At the end of the event a petition was delivered to the High Commission addressed to Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, chief advisor of the national care-taker government of Bangladesh.

Election Commission draws up CHT Voter List:

Election Commission draws up CHT Voter List:
malafide and malicious to hill peoples interests?
Shikhori Changma
The present caretaker government in Bangladesh took power on 11 January 2007, and soon after, initiated reforms within the Election Commission by appointing new Election Commissioners. More recently, it brought into effect the Electoral Rolls Ordinance, 2007 (Ordinance 18 of 2007). This ordinance enables the Election Commission to register voters for different electoral bodies, to register them with the assistance of computerised databases which will also have their photographs. By `electoral bodies' the Comission means the national Parliament, and local government bodies that are elected, such as Union Parishad, Upazilla Parishad, Zilla Parishad, and Municipal or City Corporation.
According to the new law, the Election Comission will prepare a complete voter list for the 2008 Parliamentary election, and for elections to local government bodies. The army will assist the Commission in this task. The work of registering voters has been concluded in many upazillas and zillas of Bangladesh. The task of registering voters in Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagracchari, the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, began on 22 October.
Voters in the Hill Tracts have been registered for national elections before, but this registration is different to previous ones, and there is consternation in the air. Differences between previous registration methods and present ones are considerable. The new voter list is a computerised one, the voter list will provide national identity cards, and elections to local bodies (Zilla Parishad, Pourashava, Upazilla, Union Parishad) will be held on the basis of this voter list. Herein lies the reason for consternation and anxiety.
That the Chittagong Hill Tracts is an indivisible part of Bangladesh, is undeniable. Similarly, it is undeniable that the CHT is a special area. The paharis or hill peoples have enjoyed a special status for many hundreds of years. The area has been governed by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation 1900, in addition to other laws prevalent in the country. The Regulation ensured its separate legal status. It was recognised as such during the British colonial period. Its special status continued during the Pakistan period. It did continue after the independence of Bangladesh but for a brief period, only to be totally disregarded later. To defend their existence the hill peoples rebelled; the rebellion soon took the form of an armed strugle. In the name of suppressing the rebellion, the armed forces conducted genocidal operations in the Hill Tracts, killing, maiming and uprooting hills peoples from their ancestral land, raping women, destroying villages, and settling outsider Bengalis on pahari land. On 2 December 1997, after 24 long years, the government of Bangladesh signed an accord with the Parbattya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS, or JSS for short). This accord later came to be known as the Peace accord, and although it did not seriously attempt to redress the injustices and wrongs done to the hills peoples, it did reduce the level of systematic violence, and the general lawlessness that had been characteristic of the region for many decades. After the signing of the accord, a Regional Council was formed in the CHT, alongwith three District Councils.
Those eligible to vote in the Regional Council and in the three District Councils, under existing CHT laws, are those who are permanent residents of the Hill Tracts. That only permanent residents can be enlisted as voters, is clearly stated in the Parbatya Zilla Parishad Ain, 1989 (section 17). According to this law, voter eligibility is based on (i) Bangladeshi citizenship (ii) age (must be above 18 years) (iii) mental health, and on being a (iv) permanent resident of Rangamati/ Bandarban/ Khagracchari. The Chittagong Hills Regulation, 1900 (34 (1) rule) defines permanent settlement clearly. A non-tribal person can be considered to be a permanent resident, only if he or she has been a house-owner in CHT for at least 15 years, and in addition does not own a house outside CHT. Or, a non-tribal person can be a permanent resident if he or she has a house, coupled with agricultural land which has been settled on the person by the Deputy Commissioner of CHT, and has no house or agricultural land anywhere else, that is, in any district outside the Hill Tracts.
Since these laws still exist, it is incumbent that Election Commission officials sit with Regional and Zilla Parishad representatives to determine first and foremost the list of permanent residents in the CHT. But instead, the EC has jumped headlong into the task of preparing a voter list. In effect, this means that the Election Commission is preparing a voter list which enrols Bengali settlers as voters, it thereby turns them into permanent residents of the CHT. And in effect, this means that the Election Commission is subverting the laws of land.
Bengalis enter into the Hill Tracts almost every day, even though the CHT enjoys special status. They are also able to settle down, often with the direct or indirect assistance of the government, both civilian and army administrators. This has continued even after the signing of the Peace accord. Recent attempts at rehabilitation sparked off a confrontation between paharis and Bengalis in the Dighinala area of Khagracchari district. A situation of unrest still prevails. Pahari suspicions have been further deepened as EC officials, aided by the army, continue in their task of enrolling voters.
Through preparing voter lists, the government and the army is ensuring that demographic changes in the CHT are made more irreversible than ever before. Further, there are parallel attempts to invalidate the Peace accord. One such instance is a writ petition filed in court by advocate Tajul Islam himself on 27 August 2007. The petition (writ petition no 6451/2007) calls on the Government to give reasons as to why the Peace Accord signed between the government of Bangladesh and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) should not be considered unconstitutional. The petitioner maintains that the accord violated the provisions of the Constitution, it contravened the sovereignty of Bangladesh and the supremacy of its Constitution. Hence, it should not only be declared illegal, it should not have any legal effect. The Court has simultaneously directed one of the respondents i.e., the Election Commission, to not deprive any non-tribal citizen from being enlisted as a voter during the voter enlistment process, on grounds of beings non-permanent residents of the CHT.
The High Court has issued a rule against the government, and at present the case is pending in the High Court. What is remarkable about the writ petition is that the petitioner has not made the PCJSS (or the Regional Council) a respondent in the case, even though it is a party to the Peace accord. The petitioner hmself does not reside or live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. As a matter of fact, according to insider sources, the learned advocate has never even visited the CHT. Further, the petition makes no mention of two other writ petitions on the same issue that are at present pending in the High Court. One of these petitions was made soon after the Peace accord (writ petition no 4113/1999), asking that the Peace accord be declared illegal and unconstitutional. The second petition was filed by a Bengali settler, and asks why the Regional Council Law, 1988 and Rangamati/Bandarban, Khagracchari Zilla Parishad Law, 1998 should not be declared unconstitutional. Both these cases are pending. What is of further interest is that though the latest writ petition is of great public interest and concern, the Attorney General who represents the government, made no attempt to put forth a strong rebuttal of the petition.
The hill peoples have fought the Bangladesh army for many decades in the CHT, in order to ensure their survival. These two forces are still suspicious of each other. In this situation, army assistance in preparing voter lists can only serve to exacerbate tensions. It is not far-fetched to assume that many paharis may not even turn up to register as voters. That the government or the EC does not seem to be concerned about these realities, is quite remarkable. Equally remarkable is the fact that neither of the pahari political parties, neither the PCJSS nor the UPDF (United Peoples Democratic Front) which have represented and fought for pahari interests have either been consulted, or made a party to the government's voter registration process. This has only served to deepen pahari fears and anxieties that the mechanism and process of voter registration in the CHT is malicious in intent.
An Election Commissioner had recently commented that the new "voter list will be a source of pride for the nation and its peoples" (Prothom Alo, 26.10.2007).
It might well be so for the rest of Bangladesh, but surely not for the paharis.