chtnews.com
News No. 16/2008, January 31, 2008
Pankaj Bhattachariya, who is leading a fact finding team of writers, intellectuals, university teachers and human rights activists, said the situation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is alarming.
He further said eviction of the Jumma people from their ancestral lands were taking place making the situation worse.
After two days in Khagrachari, the team members drove to Rangamati and held separate talks with public representatives, intellectuals and civil society members including Regional Council chairman Santu Larma yesterday. Earlier they also had discussions with the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati, Md. Nurul Amin.
Talking to the journalists, Mr. Bhattachariya, who is also the president of Sammilito Samajik Andolon (United Social Movement), said the main purpose of their visit was to apprise themselves of the on-the-ground situation on the present status of implementation process of the CHT accord, land problem, the true picture of eviction of the Jumma people and the ongoing voter listing programme in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
"Contrary to the people's expectation that a climate of communal harmony would prevail for a free and impartial national election, the situation remains worrying even after ten years of the signing of the CHT accord", he commented.
He said their visit was undertaken in the backdrop of the deterioration of the situation and asserted that the situation has been compounded by the fact that the Jumma people are being continuously driven out of their ancestral lands.
Mr. Bhattachariya said they would apprise the government of their findings and hold a round table conference in Dhaka.
"If CHT becomes unstable, it creates national problems, and hence there is a need to keep the whole nation informed of the actual facts", he added.
The team also included, among others, Dr. Rashid-e-Mahabub, ex-chairman and pro-vice chancellor of BMA, Rabindranath Tribedi, ex-secretary and human rights activists, professor Ajoy Roy, president of HRCBM, a human rights body, Kamal Lohani, renowned journalist and columnist and Abul Maksud, columnist and cultural personality.
The team members wrapped up their visit and left for Dhaka yesterday.
[This report has been prepared on the basis of a news article published in the Suprabhat Bangladesh, a Bengali daily newspaper published from Chittagong]
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Civil society team talk CHT issues in Rangamati
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=21292
Our Correspondent, Rangamati
A ten-member team of civil society leaders, now on visit in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), yesterday talked to local leaders and high officials in Rangamati on different issues including recent incidents of land grabbing, voter registration and human rights situation.
The ten-member team led by Pankaj Bhattacharya, leader of Sammilita Samajik Andolon, is visiting CHT to observe human rights situation, especially post peace accord atmosphere there.
The team members separately discussed with the local indigenous and Bangalee leaders on the four issues, Pankaj Bhattacharya told this correspondent yesterday.
The team members separately talked to the public representatives, headmen and karbaries (traditional local leaders), lawyers, journalists and different professionals and businessmen.
They also held meetings with CHT Regional Council chairman Santu Larma in his office and Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Amin, urging them to take steps for peaceful co-existence in the hills.
He said they will soon hold a roundtable in Dhaka on the issues and make suggestions to the government to solve those.
The team yesterday left for Bandarban.
Our Correspondent, Rangamati
A ten-member team of civil society leaders, now on visit in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), yesterday talked to local leaders and high officials in Rangamati on different issues including recent incidents of land grabbing, voter registration and human rights situation.
The ten-member team led by Pankaj Bhattacharya, leader of Sammilita Samajik Andolon, is visiting CHT to observe human rights situation, especially post peace accord atmosphere there.
The team members separately discussed with the local indigenous and Bangalee leaders on the four issues, Pankaj Bhattacharya told this correspondent yesterday.
The team members separately talked to the public representatives, headmen and karbaries (traditional local leaders), lawyers, journalists and different professionals and businessmen.
They also held meetings with CHT Regional Council chairman Santu Larma in his office and Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Amin, urging them to take steps for peaceful co-existence in the hills.
He said they will soon hold a roundtable in Dhaka on the issues and make suggestions to the government to solve those.
The team yesterday left for Bandarban.
Civil society members talk CHT issues with local leaders, officials
Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=21175
Civil society leaders from Dhaka left for Rangaamti after a two-day visit to Khagrachhari during which they talked to leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities and high officials on different issues in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
Alleged violation of human rights, CHT peace agreement, settlement of both indigenous and Bangalee people, special quotas for indigenous people, alleged unequal representation of Bangalees in jobs in offices and in different regional bodies were discussed during their visit, sources in the team told this correspondent yesterday.
Vice President of Sammilita Samajik Andolon Pankaj Battachariya led the team.
It included columnist Sayed Abul Moksud, cultural personality Kamal Lohani, former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University Dr. Rashidi Mahbub, secretary general of Bangladesh Solidarity Movement Belal Ahmed, Dhaka University teacher Sourab Sikder and journalists Nazrul Islam Mithu, Kabita Papri and Anwar Kabir.
They visited different areas and talked to at least 100 indigenous leaders representing Union Parishads, Headmen (village chief), Karbari (mouza chief), religious leaders and leaders of Somo Adhiker Andolon, Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity, United People Democratic Front (UPDF).
The team also held meetings with Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahdat Hossen, district council chairman Monindra Lal Tripura, Mong Circle chief Raja Paihaprue Chowdhury, urging them to take steps to maintain communal harmony in the hills.
The team leadrer said they have gathered views of all communities on different issues.
After the CHT visit, the team will hold a grand roundtable conference in Dhaka on the issues, to be participated by eminent personalities and make suggestions to the government to resolve those.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=21175
Civil society leaders from Dhaka left for Rangaamti after a two-day visit to Khagrachhari during which they talked to leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities and high officials on different issues in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
Alleged violation of human rights, CHT peace agreement, settlement of both indigenous and Bangalee people, special quotas for indigenous people, alleged unequal representation of Bangalees in jobs in offices and in different regional bodies were discussed during their visit, sources in the team told this correspondent yesterday.
Vice President of Sammilita Samajik Andolon Pankaj Battachariya led the team.
It included columnist Sayed Abul Moksud, cultural personality Kamal Lohani, former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University Dr. Rashidi Mahbub, secretary general of Bangladesh Solidarity Movement Belal Ahmed, Dhaka University teacher Sourab Sikder and journalists Nazrul Islam Mithu, Kabita Papri and Anwar Kabir.
They visited different areas and talked to at least 100 indigenous leaders representing Union Parishads, Headmen (village chief), Karbari (mouza chief), religious leaders and leaders of Somo Adhiker Andolon, Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity, United People Democratic Front (UPDF).
The team also held meetings with Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahdat Hossen, district council chairman Monindra Lal Tripura, Mong Circle chief Raja Paihaprue Chowdhury, urging them to take steps to maintain communal harmony in the hills.
The team leadrer said they have gathered views of all communities on different issues.
After the CHT visit, the team will hold a grand roundtable conference in Dhaka on the issues, to be participated by eminent personalities and make suggestions to the government to resolve those.
CHT ecology threatened by illegal rock extraction
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=19842
Over 8 lakh cft rocks collected annually from 28 upazilas
Jasim Majumder, Khagrachhari
Illegally extracted rocks piled up beside a road in Ruma upzila in Bandarban. Photo: STAR
Illegal extraction of rocks from hills goes on unabated in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), posing a serious threat to the ecology.
Extraction of rocks cause erosion of soil and hill cliffs, triggering landslides and claiming lives, particularly in rainy season.
Besides, rivers, canals and water bodies are being silted by the eroded soil from hills, carried by water, accentuating flooding.
Over 8 lakh cft rocks are collected annually from 28 upazilas in CHT. On an average, around 40,00 cft rocks are collected in a day during dry season and one cft is sold at Tk 130 to Tk 150, according to rock collectors.
The government should get at least Tk 5 core revenue annually from eight lakh cft rocks at the rate of Tk 62 per cft (set for rocks collected from water bodies), sources at divisional forest office said. But the revenue collection is nil now, they said
The illegal extraction goes on unabated under the nose of officials of government departments concerned, they said.
An Assistant Commissioner in Bandarban district administration seeking anonymity said, "We only authorise collection of natural rocks from Chhara or Ziri (streams). Extraction of rocks from hills is illegal. It is the responsibility of forest department to check this”.
Divisional Forest Officer in Khagrachhari Shah-e-Alam said according to law, forest department issues 'transit pass' for rock collection and collects revenue.
"I am not aware of extraction of rocks from hills. I will probe the matter and take action", he said
Primary buyers of the illegally extracted hill rocks are contractors of different government projects under municipalities, LGED (local government and engineering department), Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, Power Development Board (PDB) offices, three hill district councils and the Roads and Highways Department in the three hill districts. The illegal work is going on allegedly in connivance with a section of officials, the sources claimed.
This correspondent during visits saw huge stockpiles of hill rocks at Nunchhari, Champaghat, Gugrachhari and Mohalchhara in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila; Akhbari, Dharmopur and Ramsira in Matiranga upazila; Baradam, Babuchhara and Araimail in Dighinala; Kongchairipara and Simanapara in Panchhari; Sindukchhara and Karbaripara in Mohalchhari; Jouthakhamar and Headmanpara in Ramgar upazila, and at different spots in Laxmichhari and Manikchhari upazilas in Khagrachhari.
Huge stocks of boulders collected from hills without government approval were also seen in at lest 43 spots in Rangamati and Bandarban districts.
Different political leaders, influential groups and sections of businessmen are involved in the illegal rocks collection, said Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, secretary of local environmental organisation Parivesh Andolon Forum.
The syndicate supplies rocks to construction companies who used those in construction work, its member Mariom Akter Rumu said.
The unscrupulous traders have a syndicate and employ day laborers to collect rocks, said Pradip Chowdhury, Khagrachhari district coordinator of Center for Sustainable Development (CFSD).
Sanu Mong Marma, a rock collector in Gugrachhari, told this correspondent that he was not aware of any adverse ecological effect of rock extraction from hills.
A high official in Khagrachhari district administration said indigenous people collect hill rocks to build their prayer houses while Bangla speaking people are also engaged in the illegal work as a source of income.
The district administration does not have any team to check illegal extraction of rocks, officials said.
Over 8 lakh cft rocks collected annually from 28 upazilas
Jasim Majumder, Khagrachhari
Illegally extracted rocks piled up beside a road in Ruma upzila in Bandarban. Photo: STAR
Illegal extraction of rocks from hills goes on unabated in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), posing a serious threat to the ecology.
Extraction of rocks cause erosion of soil and hill cliffs, triggering landslides and claiming lives, particularly in rainy season.
Besides, rivers, canals and water bodies are being silted by the eroded soil from hills, carried by water, accentuating flooding.
Over 8 lakh cft rocks are collected annually from 28 upazilas in CHT. On an average, around 40,00 cft rocks are collected in a day during dry season and one cft is sold at Tk 130 to Tk 150, according to rock collectors.
The government should get at least Tk 5 core revenue annually from eight lakh cft rocks at the rate of Tk 62 per cft (set for rocks collected from water bodies), sources at divisional forest office said. But the revenue collection is nil now, they said
The illegal extraction goes on unabated under the nose of officials of government departments concerned, they said.
An Assistant Commissioner in Bandarban district administration seeking anonymity said, "We only authorise collection of natural rocks from Chhara or Ziri (streams). Extraction of rocks from hills is illegal. It is the responsibility of forest department to check this”.
Divisional Forest Officer in Khagrachhari Shah-e-Alam said according to law, forest department issues 'transit pass' for rock collection and collects revenue.
"I am not aware of extraction of rocks from hills. I will probe the matter and take action", he said
Primary buyers of the illegally extracted hill rocks are contractors of different government projects under municipalities, LGED (local government and engineering department), Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, Power Development Board (PDB) offices, three hill district councils and the Roads and Highways Department in the three hill districts. The illegal work is going on allegedly in connivance with a section of officials, the sources claimed.
This correspondent during visits saw huge stockpiles of hill rocks at Nunchhari, Champaghat, Gugrachhari and Mohalchhara in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila; Akhbari, Dharmopur and Ramsira in Matiranga upazila; Baradam, Babuchhara and Araimail in Dighinala; Kongchairipara and Simanapara in Panchhari; Sindukchhara and Karbaripara in Mohalchhari; Jouthakhamar and Headmanpara in Ramgar upazila, and at different spots in Laxmichhari and Manikchhari upazilas in Khagrachhari.
Huge stocks of boulders collected from hills without government approval were also seen in at lest 43 spots in Rangamati and Bandarban districts.
Different political leaders, influential groups and sections of businessmen are involved in the illegal rocks collection, said Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, secretary of local environmental organisation Parivesh Andolon Forum.
The syndicate supplies rocks to construction companies who used those in construction work, its member Mariom Akter Rumu said.
The unscrupulous traders have a syndicate and employ day laborers to collect rocks, said Pradip Chowdhury, Khagrachhari district coordinator of Center for Sustainable Development (CFSD).
Sanu Mong Marma, a rock collector in Gugrachhari, told this correspondent that he was not aware of any adverse ecological effect of rock extraction from hills.
A high official in Khagrachhari district administration said indigenous people collect hill rocks to build their prayer houses while Bangla speaking people are also engaged in the illegal work as a source of income.
The district administration does not have any team to check illegal extraction of rocks, officials said.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Call to review CHT treaty
Source from-http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/01/28/news0190.htm
Staff Reporter
Speakers at a discussion meeting yesterday demanded of the government to review the Chittagong Hill Tracts Treaty (CHTT) saying the treaty contradicts with the Constitution of the country.
Speakers demanded this at a roundtable conference on 'Reviewing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Treaty According to the Constitution' organised by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Equal Rights Movement at the National Press Club.
Speakers said many provisions of the treaty contradict many articles of the Constitution and were discriminatory to the Bangalis in the hills.
BNP leaders Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Rizvi Ahmed, Awami League leader Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuyian, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party President Shafiul Alam Prodhan, NAP President Mostak Ahmed, tribal peoples' representative Rup Kumar Chakma, among others, spoke at the meeting, presided over by journalist Sadek Khan. Advocate Tajul Islam read out the keynote paper.
Gen Mahbub said though ten years have passed the peace did not come to the hills. "Army should not be withdrawn from the CHT as they had done a lot for the development of the region," said Gen Mahbub.
He said time has come to review the treaty.
Gen Subid Ali said the CHTT was signed at a dreadful situation in the hills and after ten years of the treaty peace has come to the hills to some extent.
"No treaty is perfect. So the CHTT should be implemented even after revision of some of the provisions to maintain peace in that region," he said about the emand of review of the CHTT.
About the allegation that India was responsible for creating unrest in the CHT Gen Subid Ali said, "India is no enemy to us. Friendly relationship with the neighbouring country should be maintained."
Rizvi Ahmed said the CHTT has questioned the sovereignty and independence of the country as a big portion of the country was let to a small portion of ethnic people.
"Equal rights among the Bangalis and tribal people should be established in the hills by reviewing the CHTT," he said.
Advocate Tajul Islam in his paper said the CHTT contradicts with the articles 1,6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 36, 42, 55, 56, 59, 66, 94, 106, 122 and 145 of the Constitution.
He said the Bangalis in the hills were repressed by the CHTT.
Staff Reporter
Speakers at a discussion meeting yesterday demanded of the government to review the Chittagong Hill Tracts Treaty (CHTT) saying the treaty contradicts with the Constitution of the country.
Speakers demanded this at a roundtable conference on 'Reviewing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Treaty According to the Constitution' organised by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Equal Rights Movement at the National Press Club.
Speakers said many provisions of the treaty contradict many articles of the Constitution and were discriminatory to the Bangalis in the hills.
BNP leaders Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Rizvi Ahmed, Awami League leader Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuyian, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party President Shafiul Alam Prodhan, NAP President Mostak Ahmed, tribal peoples' representative Rup Kumar Chakma, among others, spoke at the meeting, presided over by journalist Sadek Khan. Advocate Tajul Islam read out the keynote paper.
Gen Mahbub said though ten years have passed the peace did not come to the hills. "Army should not be withdrawn from the CHT as they had done a lot for the development of the region," said Gen Mahbub.
He said time has come to review the treaty.
Gen Subid Ali said the CHTT was signed at a dreadful situation in the hills and after ten years of the treaty peace has come to the hills to some extent.
"No treaty is perfect. So the CHTT should be implemented even after revision of some of the provisions to maintain peace in that region," he said about the emand of review of the CHTT.
About the allegation that India was responsible for creating unrest in the CHT Gen Subid Ali said, "India is no enemy to us. Friendly relationship with the neighbouring country should be maintained."
Rizvi Ahmed said the CHTT has questioned the sovereignty and independence of the country as a big portion of the country was let to a small portion of ethnic people.
"Equal rights among the Bangalis and tribal people should be established in the hills by reviewing the CHTT," he said.
Advocate Tajul Islam in his paper said the CHTT contradicts with the articles 1,6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 36, 42, 55, 56, 59, 66, 94, 106, 122 and 145 of the Constitution.
He said the Bangalis in the hills were repressed by the CHTT.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Dhaka team arrives in Khagrachari
chtnews.com
News No. 15/2008, January 28, 2008
The investigative team of progressive personalities from Dhaka has arrived in Khagrachari on a three-day tour of the CHT.
The 16-member team is headed by Pankaj Bhattacharya, a top ranking leader of the Gono Forum party led by Dr. Kamal Hossain.
The team members began their hectic schedule, meeting all sections of people including Buddhist monks and victims of recent illegal land grabbing.
They are also scheduled to meet with officials of the civil district administration as well as members of the army including Khagrachari Brigade commander.
The Khagrachari district unit of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) submitted a memorandum to the visiting team that comprises of writers, university teachers, lawyers, human rights activists and journalists.
The team will stay in the district till tomorrow and then leave for Rangamati.
At the conclusion of the visit, they are scheduled to hold a press conference in Dhaka on 31 January where they will make their findings public.
News No. 15/2008, January 28, 2008
The investigative team of progressive personalities from Dhaka has arrived in Khagrachari on a three-day tour of the CHT.
The 16-member team is headed by Pankaj Bhattacharya, a top ranking leader of the Gono Forum party led by Dr. Kamal Hossain.
The team members began their hectic schedule, meeting all sections of people including Buddhist monks and victims of recent illegal land grabbing.
They are also scheduled to meet with officials of the civil district administration as well as members of the army including Khagrachari Brigade commander.
The Khagrachari district unit of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) submitted a memorandum to the visiting team that comprises of writers, university teachers, lawyers, human rights activists and journalists.
The team will stay in the district till tomorrow and then leave for Rangamati.
At the conclusion of the visit, they are scheduled to hold a press conference in Dhaka on 31 January where they will make their findings public.
Massive military operations underway in Sajek
chtnews.com
News No. 14/2008, January 28, 2008
The Bangladesh military launched a massive operation last night involving about 1,000 personnel in Sajek, the north-eastern frontier region of Chittagong Hill Tracts bordering Mizoram state of India.
The aim and target of the operation is not known. Even it is difficult to say whether it is a real or mock operation or a military exercise.
Army personnel from Chittagong cantonment as well as from most of the zones in Chittagong Hill Tracts are taking part in it. At least 70 military vehicles were seen moving towards Mazalong using Dighinala-Baghaihat road.
According to sources, the troops split into 36 groups before fanning out over the area.
House searched
United People's Democratic Front's Bagahaichari unit said army personnel on the night of 25 January raided the house of Sugata Chakma, one of its members, at Mazalong.
The raid was believed to have been conducted by soldiers from Mazalong camp to arrest him. However, he was not available at home at the time.
The soldiers also searched the house and quizzed his wife Mukta Chakma about his whereabouts.
Mr. Sugata Chakma is an active member of the UPDF. He was first arrested on 30 June 2005 from Mazalong bazaar along with another UPDF member and five supporters. He was interned in jail for months before being released on bail.
News No. 14/2008, January 28, 2008
The Bangladesh military launched a massive operation last night involving about 1,000 personnel in Sajek, the north-eastern frontier region of Chittagong Hill Tracts bordering Mizoram state of India.
The aim and target of the operation is not known. Even it is difficult to say whether it is a real or mock operation or a military exercise.
Army personnel from Chittagong cantonment as well as from most of the zones in Chittagong Hill Tracts are taking part in it. At least 70 military vehicles were seen moving towards Mazalong using Dighinala-Baghaihat road.
According to sources, the troops split into 36 groups before fanning out over the area.
House searched
United People's Democratic Front's Bagahaichari unit said army personnel on the night of 25 January raided the house of Sugata Chakma, one of its members, at Mazalong.
The raid was believed to have been conducted by soldiers from Mazalong camp to arrest him. However, he was not available at home at the time.
The soldiers also searched the house and quizzed his wife Mukta Chakma about his whereabouts.
Mr. Sugata Chakma is an active member of the UPDF. He was first arrested on 30 June 2005 from Mazalong bazaar along with another UPDF member and five supporters. He was interned in jail for months before being released on bail.
JPNK launches internet radio
chtnews.com
News No. 13/2008, January 28, 2008
Jumma Peoples Network - Korea, an organisation of the expatriate and exiled Jummas in South Korea, has launched internet radio service, Radio CHT.
The debut podcast, released today, features news and entertainment. Ronel Chakma of the Radio CHT said, they will initially podcast in Chakma language twice a month featuring "history, culture, religion, movement and livelihood of the Jumma people".
News of human rights abuses will be highlighted as well, he further said, and invited feedbacks about their internet radio programme.
The JPNK has its own website www.jpnk.org and can be reached at jpnk2@hotmail.com.
News No. 13/2008, January 28, 2008
Jumma Peoples Network - Korea, an organisation of the expatriate and exiled Jummas in South Korea, has launched internet radio service, Radio CHT.
The debut podcast, released today, features news and entertainment. Ronel Chakma of the Radio CHT said, they will initially podcast in Chakma language twice a month featuring "history, culture, religion, movement and livelihood of the Jumma people".
News of human rights abuses will be highlighted as well, he further said, and invited feedbacks about their internet radio programme.
The JPNK has its own website www.jpnk.org and can be reached at jpnk2@hotmail.com.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
An investigative team to visit CHT 28 - 30 January
chtnews.com
News No. 12/2008, January 27, 2008
A 16-member strong team of intellectuals, writers, lawyers, human rights activists and journalists are due to visit Khagrachari and Rangamati districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts from 28 - 30 January, said one of the local organisers of the visit in Khagrachari.
"The team members will collect information primarily about human rights, land issue, CHT accord and the voter list and then make their findings public at a press conference in Dhaka on 31 January", he further said.
He said the team members will speak to all sections of people and visit some specific places in Khagrachari.
The team will spend two full days, 28 and 29 January, in Khagrachari on the first leg of their CHT visit, before moving on to Rangamati.
The team members include Pankaj Bhattachariya, a leader of Gono Forum, Said Abul Maksuk, a newspaper columnist, Maj. Gen. Amin Ahmed Chowdhury (Rd.) Kamal Lohani, writer, Barrister Z. I. Khan Panna, lawyer, Bangladesh Supreme Court, Barrister Sadia Arman, lawyer, Bangladesh Supreme Court, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Dr. M. M. Akash, professor of Economics, Dhaka University, Dr. Rashidi Mahabub, ex-pro Vice Chancellor, BSMR Medical University, Sourav Shikdar, Associate professor, Dhaka University, Pinaki Roy, The Daily Sar, Nazrul Islam Mithu, New Age, Kabita Papri, Ittefaq, Ayub Bhuiyan, Chief reporter, Bhorer Kagoj, Anwar Kabir a freelance journalist and a photo journalist from Janakantha.
The visit comes in the wake of allegations of massive human rights violations including forcible land grabbing and attack on Buddhist temples in CHT.
The visit is a big snub to the home ministry instructions "to discourage intellectuals and eminent personalities from attending functions organised by ethnic minority groups", a human rights activist commented.
News No. 12/2008, January 27, 2008
A 16-member strong team of intellectuals, writers, lawyers, human rights activists and journalists are due to visit Khagrachari and Rangamati districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts from 28 - 30 January, said one of the local organisers of the visit in Khagrachari.
"The team members will collect information primarily about human rights, land issue, CHT accord and the voter list and then make their findings public at a press conference in Dhaka on 31 January", he further said.
He said the team members will speak to all sections of people and visit some specific places in Khagrachari.
The team will spend two full days, 28 and 29 January, in Khagrachari on the first leg of their CHT visit, before moving on to Rangamati.
The team members include Pankaj Bhattachariya, a leader of Gono Forum, Said Abul Maksuk, a newspaper columnist, Maj. Gen. Amin Ahmed Chowdhury (Rd.) Kamal Lohani, writer, Barrister Z. I. Khan Panna, lawyer, Bangladesh Supreme Court, Barrister Sadia Arman, lawyer, Bangladesh Supreme Court, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Dr. M. M. Akash, professor of Economics, Dhaka University, Dr. Rashidi Mahabub, ex-pro Vice Chancellor, BSMR Medical University, Sourav Shikdar, Associate professor, Dhaka University, Pinaki Roy, The Daily Sar, Nazrul Islam Mithu, New Age, Kabita Papri, Ittefaq, Ayub Bhuiyan, Chief reporter, Bhorer Kagoj, Anwar Kabir a freelance journalist and a photo journalist from Janakantha.
The visit comes in the wake of allegations of massive human rights violations including forcible land grabbing and attack on Buddhist temples in CHT.
The visit is a big snub to the home ministry instructions "to discourage intellectuals and eminent personalities from attending functions organised by ethnic minority groups", a human rights activist commented.
Government decides to put "dispute-free" lands under Forest Department control
chtnews.com
News No. 11/2008, January 27, 2008
The district administration of Rangamati has decided to put all the "dispute-free" lands in nine Mouzas of the district under the control of the Forest Department.
In a communication (Memo No. rajoshwa / tin -3/2007 - 1070) dated 30 September 2007, the Revenue Deputy Collector of Rangamati district stated that Mr. Bhagadatta Chakma, a land surveyor with S. A. branch, had been appointed to hand over the lands in phases to the Forest Department.
It requested the Divisional Forest Officer, Banarupa, Rangamati to appoint a representative to take control of the land from Mr. Chakma.
The nine Mouzas referred to in the said communication are 27 Adrokchara Mouza, 123 Hemonto Mouza, 125 Phulgazi Baperchara Mouza, 128 Basanta Mouza, 129 Kaindia Mouza, 108 Manikchari Mouza, Sapchari Mouza, 110 Shukurchari Mouza and 111 Kudukchari Mouza.
The letter was issued at a time when hundreds of acres of land belonging to the Jumma people were being taken away by the settlers in Khagrachari district.
The move of the Rangamati district administration is viewed as measure to rob the poorest of the poor Jummas of their only source of livelihood - that is Jum cultivation.
News No. 11/2008, January 27, 2008
The district administration of Rangamati has decided to put all the "dispute-free" lands in nine Mouzas of the district under the control of the Forest Department.
In a communication (Memo No. rajoshwa / tin -3/2007 - 1070) dated 30 September 2007, the Revenue Deputy Collector of Rangamati district stated that Mr. Bhagadatta Chakma, a land surveyor with S. A. branch, had been appointed to hand over the lands in phases to the Forest Department.
It requested the Divisional Forest Officer, Banarupa, Rangamati to appoint a representative to take control of the land from Mr. Chakma.
The nine Mouzas referred to in the said communication are 27 Adrokchara Mouza, 123 Hemonto Mouza, 125 Phulgazi Baperchara Mouza, 128 Basanta Mouza, 129 Kaindia Mouza, 108 Manikchari Mouza, Sapchari Mouza, 110 Shukurchari Mouza and 111 Kudukchari Mouza.
The letter was issued at a time when hundreds of acres of land belonging to the Jumma people were being taken away by the settlers in Khagrachari district.
The move of the Rangamati district administration is viewed as measure to rob the poorest of the poor Jummas of their only source of livelihood - that is Jum cultivation.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Body formed to resolve Mahalchhari crisis
Khagrachhari district administration yesterday formed a seven-member probe committee to resolve the land dispute between indigenous and Bangalee communities at Maddya Karallachhari in Mohalchhari upazila in the district.
The decision came at a seven-hour meeting (from 11 am to 5 pm) held at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner. Dc Mohammad Shahdat Hossen chaired the meeting.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Monindra Kishor Majumder will lead the probe committee to identify real owners of disputed lands. It will give recommendations on how to set up a Buddist monastery in the area.
The meeting also decided to hold a Buddhist religious function on Friday (January 25) at Karallachhari football field, instead of a 'disputed' land at Maddya Karallachhari, decided earlier by locals.
Other member of the committee are Mohalchhari UNO Abul Hossen, Keyanghat Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Bisshajit Chakma, former UP chairman Sunil Jibon Chakma, Mohalchhari Pilot High School headmaster Md. Shahjahan Patwary, assistant teacher of Lemuchhari High School SM Hemayet Uddin and civil society leader Ananta Bihari Khsha.
Army officials, leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities, civil society members and journalists were also present at the meeting.
Tension is prevailing between Bangali and ethnic communities at remote Maidda Karallachhari for about month over land dispute.
The district administration imposed Section 145 in the area and ordered status quo after a section of indigenous people felled trees claimed by Bangalees.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=20324
The decision came at a seven-hour meeting (from 11 am to 5 pm) held at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner. Dc Mohammad Shahdat Hossen chaired the meeting.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Monindra Kishor Majumder will lead the probe committee to identify real owners of disputed lands. It will give recommendations on how to set up a Buddist monastery in the area.
The meeting also decided to hold a Buddhist religious function on Friday (January 25) at Karallachhari football field, instead of a 'disputed' land at Maddya Karallachhari, decided earlier by locals.
Other member of the committee are Mohalchhari UNO Abul Hossen, Keyanghat Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Bisshajit Chakma, former UP chairman Sunil Jibon Chakma, Mohalchhari Pilot High School headmaster Md. Shahjahan Patwary, assistant teacher of Lemuchhari High School SM Hemayet Uddin and civil society leader Ananta Bihari Khsha.
Army officials, leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities, civil society members and journalists were also present at the meeting.
Tension is prevailing between Bangali and ethnic communities at remote Maidda Karallachhari for about month over land dispute.
The district administration imposed Section 145 in the area and ordered status quo after a section of indigenous people felled trees claimed by Bangalees.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=20324
Call to end land acquisition for army garrison
Staff Correspondent
Bandarban Bhumi Rakkha Committee on Saturday demanded that the interim government stop land acquisition process for extension of an army garrison under Ruma upazila in the district.
The committee leaders at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity said they came to know that the army had almost completed the process to acquire 9,560 acres of Galenga, Pantola and Sengum areas.
The committee leader Khoychong Murag in his written statement said, 'If the land is acquired six villages of Sengum and nine of Pantola will disappear and 315 families of the two areas will be evicted. The villages of Sengum mouja, feared to be affected, are Bottoli Para, Amtoli Para, Royel Para, Moyur Para, Namey Para and Lama Para while those of Pantola mauza are Pantola Para, Bason Para, Chodui Para, Nomlai Headman Para, Chingpru Para, Mendhui Para, Ruipiya Para, Taichum Para and Lampung Para. He claimed that about 4,000 Marma, Tripura, and Murang families will be evicted due to the land acquisition process. Among others, Hamongu Marma, Singraw Murang, Prusathoay Marma and Mongtingoang Marma were present.
Source from-http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/20080121712/country/call-to-end-land-acquisition-for-army-garrison.html
Bandarban Bhumi Rakkha Committee on Saturday demanded that the interim government stop land acquisition process for extension of an army garrison under Ruma upazila in the district.
The committee leaders at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity said they came to know that the army had almost completed the process to acquire 9,560 acres of Galenga, Pantola and Sengum areas.
The committee leader Khoychong Murag in his written statement said, 'If the land is acquired six villages of Sengum and nine of Pantola will disappear and 315 families of the two areas will be evicted. The villages of Sengum mouja, feared to be affected, are Bottoli Para, Amtoli Para, Royel Para, Moyur Para, Namey Para and Lama Para while those of Pantola mauza are Pantola Para, Bason Para, Chodui Para, Nomlai Headman Para, Chingpru Para, Mendhui Para, Ruipiya Para, Taichum Para and Lampung Para. He claimed that about 4,000 Marma, Tripura, and Murang families will be evicted due to the land acquisition process. Among others, Hamongu Marma, Singraw Murang, Prusathoay Marma and Mongtingoang Marma were present.
Source from-http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/20080121712/country/call-to-end-land-acquisition-for-army-garrison.html
Communal harmony a must for CHT uplift
Devashis tells Rangamati meet
Our Correspondent, Rangamati
Barrister Devashis Roy, special assistant to Chief Advisor (CA) and in-charge of CHT affairs ministry, yesterday called upon all communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to maintain peace and communal harmony for development of the area.
Assuring his personal neutrality in CHT issues involving Bangalees and ethnic communities, Devashis said he will try his best to resolve all issues trough talks, safeguarding interests of all in the hills.
He was speaking as chief guest at an opinion-exchange meeting here on different issues including boosting agriculture in the three hill districts, saving Kaptai Lake from pollution, solution of problems of Headmen and Karbaries and providing test relief to people in remote areas affected by flood and invasion by rats.
Chaired by Rangaamti Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Amin, the meeting was attended by among others CHT Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, Rangamati Hill District Council (RHDC) chairman Jagat Jyoti Chakma, Army Brigade Commander Col. Mostafa Ahmed Sakib and Assistant Police Superintendent Jayenuddin as special guests.
The meeting was also addressed, by, among others, headmen association leader Chingkiew Roaza, Rangamati Union Parishad Forum President Bihari Ranjan Chakma, woman leader Monjulika Chakma, Rangamati municipal chairman Habibur Rahman, Rangamati Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kazi Nazrul Islam, CHT affairs advisory committee member Maolana Md. Shahjahan and NGOs representative Amlan Chakma. High officials, professionals, businessmen and local journalists also attended the meeting.
Organised by RHDC, the meeting was held at Tribal Culture Auditorium in the hill town.
Devashis said peaceful co-existence of Banglees and indigenous people is the first pre-condition for development of the area and ensuring interests of all.
He assured local leaders to solve different outstanding issues which remained pending for long.
Devashis said the caretaker government will resolve all problems and none will be deprived. If any unrest or tensions arises anew, it will be a failure of the caretaker government.
Other speakers urged the government to ensure balanced development of people of all communities in CHT and underlined the need for coordination among different government bodies in taking up and implementing projects.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=20323
Our Correspondent, Rangamati
Barrister Devashis Roy, special assistant to Chief Advisor (CA) and in-charge of CHT affairs ministry, yesterday called upon all communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to maintain peace and communal harmony for development of the area.
Assuring his personal neutrality in CHT issues involving Bangalees and ethnic communities, Devashis said he will try his best to resolve all issues trough talks, safeguarding interests of all in the hills.
He was speaking as chief guest at an opinion-exchange meeting here on different issues including boosting agriculture in the three hill districts, saving Kaptai Lake from pollution, solution of problems of Headmen and Karbaries and providing test relief to people in remote areas affected by flood and invasion by rats.
Chaired by Rangaamti Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Amin, the meeting was attended by among others CHT Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, Rangamati Hill District Council (RHDC) chairman Jagat Jyoti Chakma, Army Brigade Commander Col. Mostafa Ahmed Sakib and Assistant Police Superintendent Jayenuddin as special guests.
The meeting was also addressed, by, among others, headmen association leader Chingkiew Roaza, Rangamati Union Parishad Forum President Bihari Ranjan Chakma, woman leader Monjulika Chakma, Rangamati municipal chairman Habibur Rahman, Rangamati Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kazi Nazrul Islam, CHT affairs advisory committee member Maolana Md. Shahjahan and NGOs representative Amlan Chakma. High officials, professionals, businessmen and local journalists also attended the meeting.
Organised by RHDC, the meeting was held at Tribal Culture Auditorium in the hill town.
Devashis said peaceful co-existence of Banglees and indigenous people is the first pre-condition for development of the area and ensuring interests of all.
He assured local leaders to solve different outstanding issues which remained pending for long.
Devashis said the caretaker government will resolve all problems and none will be deprived. If any unrest or tensions arises anew, it will be a failure of the caretaker government.
Other speakers urged the government to ensure balanced development of people of all communities in CHT and underlined the need for coordination among different government bodies in taking up and implementing projects.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=20323
Memo to the UN
By-The International Campaign for Peace and Human Rights in Chittagong Hill Tracts (an organization based in Thailand )
Mr. Homayoun Alizadeh
Head of the Regional Representative for South - East Asia of the UN office of the High Commission for Human Rights.
Date: 24 January 2008
Sir
We are deeply concerned about continue human rights violation in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. These violations can be traced to the long – standing policies of the successive government which have eventually led to the outbreak of armed conflict for two decades.
The armed conflict which went on for two decades in Chttagong Hill Tract came into an end in 1997 through a Peace – Agreement between Jana Sanhati Samiti and government. However, the situation of Chgittagong Hill Tracts has not been developed at all. Rather the situation has been worse and human rights violations in the form of forcibly land grabbing, arson, extra –judicial killing, arrest, rape and demolition temple have been epidemic and going on with impunity.
Taking the advantage of the state emergency, both the civil administration and security forces have directly and indirectly been inducing Bengali settlers to grab the lands belonging to the indigenous Jumma people. Even, there is no yet to grab the land of the temples. The settlers already grabbed thousand of acres lands evicting thousands of Jumma families from their homesteads.
The recent sinister move of civil administration is arrest of Ven. Araya Joti Bhikkhu, the abbot of the Saranath Aranya Kutir, a Buddhist meditation centre in Mahalchari upazilla under Khagrachari district and also a fictitious case has been filed against 500 devotees including the abbot and even a dead person. Before this move, the settlers made several attempts to grab the land of the meditation centre and security forces illegally ordered Jumma devotees to stop the uplift activities of the meditation centre and began to seize it. They army are frequently carrying out raid on the houses of the Jumma villages and the monks and novices of the Saranath Aranya Kutir were barred from collecting alms.
In this circumstance, the meditation centre and its lands are now in the lap of the gods as well as 300 acres land of Sadhana Tila Bana Vihara in Dighinala also in the same tragedy as the lands of Saranath Aranya Kutir.
The another move of land grabbing of security forces is in Bandarban district which would affect 1, 569.06 acres of land of private ownership as well as 4,000 acres belonging to the Forest Department and displace 4,315 persons of 644 Jumma families.
No doubt, the move of land grabbing and expansion of Bengali settlement is being carried out under the policy of ethnic cleansing to further marginalize the indigenous Jumma people. As a result of this policy already the Jumma people have been minority in their tradition homeland.
Therefore, we appeal to you to urge the caretaker government of Bangladesh to take the following measures:
a. To immediately stop illegal land grabbing in Chittagong Hill Tracts and return the illegally occupied lands to the rightful owners;
b. To stop using the settlers as a tool of national oppression against indigenous Jumma people and to agree in principle to rehabilitate them in plain districts with means of livelihood;
c. To take legal actions against those officers of civil administration, personal of security forces and settlers who would be found guilty of land grabbing and inciting communal tension;
d. To recognise the traditional land rights of the indigenous people for permanent solution of land problems in CHT.
e. to stop all kinds of repression and human rights violations in CHT; and to start a dialogue process with the Jumma political parties to find durable peace in the area;
f. To stop religious persecution in Chittagong Hill Tracts and
g. To lift the state of emergency and to restore all political and civil rights of the citizen of Bangladesh .
Sincerely Yours,
President:
International Campaign for Peace and Human Rights in Chittagong Hill Tracts
General Secretary
International Campaign for Peace and Human Rights in Chittagong Hill Tracts
Mr. Homayoun Alizadeh
Head of the Regional Representative for South - East Asia of the UN office of the High Commission for Human Rights.
Date: 24 January 2008
Sir
We are deeply concerned about continue human rights violation in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. These violations can be traced to the long – standing policies of the successive government which have eventually led to the outbreak of armed conflict for two decades.
The armed conflict which went on for two decades in Chttagong Hill Tract came into an end in 1997 through a Peace – Agreement between Jana Sanhati Samiti and government. However, the situation of Chgittagong Hill Tracts has not been developed at all. Rather the situation has been worse and human rights violations in the form of forcibly land grabbing, arson, extra –judicial killing, arrest, rape and demolition temple have been epidemic and going on with impunity.
Taking the advantage of the state emergency, both the civil administration and security forces have directly and indirectly been inducing Bengali settlers to grab the lands belonging to the indigenous Jumma people. Even, there is no yet to grab the land of the temples. The settlers already grabbed thousand of acres lands evicting thousands of Jumma families from their homesteads.
The recent sinister move of civil administration is arrest of Ven. Araya Joti Bhikkhu, the abbot of the Saranath Aranya Kutir, a Buddhist meditation centre in Mahalchari upazilla under Khagrachari district and also a fictitious case has been filed against 500 devotees including the abbot and even a dead person. Before this move, the settlers made several attempts to grab the land of the meditation centre and security forces illegally ordered Jumma devotees to stop the uplift activities of the meditation centre and began to seize it. They army are frequently carrying out raid on the houses of the Jumma villages and the monks and novices of the Saranath Aranya Kutir were barred from collecting alms.
In this circumstance, the meditation centre and its lands are now in the lap of the gods as well as 300 acres land of Sadhana Tila Bana Vihara in Dighinala also in the same tragedy as the lands of Saranath Aranya Kutir.
The another move of land grabbing of security forces is in Bandarban district which would affect 1, 569.06 acres of land of private ownership as well as 4,000 acres belonging to the Forest Department and displace 4,315 persons of 644 Jumma families.
No doubt, the move of land grabbing and expansion of Bengali settlement is being carried out under the policy of ethnic cleansing to further marginalize the indigenous Jumma people. As a result of this policy already the Jumma people have been minority in their tradition homeland.
Therefore, we appeal to you to urge the caretaker government of Bangladesh to take the following measures:
a. To immediately stop illegal land grabbing in Chittagong Hill Tracts and return the illegally occupied lands to the rightful owners;
b. To stop using the settlers as a tool of national oppression against indigenous Jumma people and to agree in principle to rehabilitate them in plain districts with means of livelihood;
c. To take legal actions against those officers of civil administration, personal of security forces and settlers who would be found guilty of land grabbing and inciting communal tension;
d. To recognise the traditional land rights of the indigenous people for permanent solution of land problems in CHT.
e. to stop all kinds of repression and human rights violations in CHT; and to start a dialogue process with the Jumma political parties to find durable peace in the area;
f. To stop religious persecution in Chittagong Hill Tracts and
g. To lift the state of emergency and to restore all political and civil rights of the citizen of Bangladesh .
Sincerely Yours,
President:
International Campaign for Peace and Human Rights in Chittagong Hill Tracts
General Secretary
International Campaign for Peace and Human Rights in Chittagong Hill Tracts
Karallyachari: Religious gathering held defying overwhelming military presence
chtnews.com
News No. 10/2008, January 26, 2008
Thousands of Buddhist devotees took part in a religious gathering at Karallyachari, 15 kilometers south of Khagrachari district town amid overwhelming military presence and intimidation yesterday, Friday.
The event was held at an open ground at Karallyachari Mukh village, about one kilometer from Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist temple which has been at the centre of a conflict between the Jumma villagers and the army.
Rev. Sumanalanker Mahathero, Rev. Jinbodhi and Rev. Shashan Rakshit were among the speakers. About 80 Buddhist monks attended the religious gathering.
They squarely blamed the army for the woes and worries in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and advised the people to stick to the Buddha's noble path for the emancipation from oppression.
Despite a last-minute permission given by the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari to hold the gathering, the army tried to disrupt the programme and made no stones unturned to make the participation as thin as possible.
Military presence was everywhere and intimidating. In remote areas the soldiers prevented the devotees from attending the programme. The Khagrachari-Rangamati road as well as water-transports in Maischari portion of the Lake Kaptai were blocked and made off-limits to passenger vehicles, while the Bus Owner's Associations in Rangamati and Khagrachari were asked not to ply their buses on the Khagrachari - Rangamati link road.
Harassment of monks
The roads leading to Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir was effectively blocked and no one was allowed to go there. Even the invited monks were barred from visiting the Kuthir and one of the monks dwelling in the Kuthir was harassed. The soldiers halted Rev. Bibekananda Bhikkhu while he was returning from the said religious gathering.
When about 60 Jumma women protested against it, female members of the so-called Village Defence Party of the settlers were ordered to attack them. But the Jumma women refused to be cowed down and displayed undaunting courage and determination to fight back.
Ultimately, the army had to give in and let Rev. Bibekananda Bhikkhu return to the Kuthir.
News No. 10/2008, January 26, 2008
Thousands of Buddhist devotees took part in a religious gathering at Karallyachari, 15 kilometers south of Khagrachari district town amid overwhelming military presence and intimidation yesterday, Friday.
The event was held at an open ground at Karallyachari Mukh village, about one kilometer from Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist temple which has been at the centre of a conflict between the Jumma villagers and the army.
Rev. Sumanalanker Mahathero, Rev. Jinbodhi and Rev. Shashan Rakshit were among the speakers. About 80 Buddhist monks attended the religious gathering.
They squarely blamed the army for the woes and worries in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and advised the people to stick to the Buddha's noble path for the emancipation from oppression.
Despite a last-minute permission given by the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari to hold the gathering, the army tried to disrupt the programme and made no stones unturned to make the participation as thin as possible.
Military presence was everywhere and intimidating. In remote areas the soldiers prevented the devotees from attending the programme. The Khagrachari-Rangamati road as well as water-transports in Maischari portion of the Lake Kaptai were blocked and made off-limits to passenger vehicles, while the Bus Owner's Associations in Rangamati and Khagrachari were asked not to ply their buses on the Khagrachari - Rangamati link road.
Harassment of monks
The roads leading to Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir was effectively blocked and no one was allowed to go there. Even the invited monks were barred from visiting the Kuthir and one of the monks dwelling in the Kuthir was harassed. The soldiers halted Rev. Bibekananda Bhikkhu while he was returning from the said religious gathering.
When about 60 Jumma women protested against it, female members of the so-called Village Defence Party of the settlers were ordered to attack them. But the Jumma women refused to be cowed down and displayed undaunting courage and determination to fight back.
Ultimately, the army had to give in and let Rev. Bibekananda Bhikkhu return to the Kuthir.
Govt plans curbs on indigenous people’s rights
Staff Correspondent
Despite repeated pledges to guarantee ethnic minority rights, the military-controlled interim government has taken a move to curb democratic rights of indigenous communities, according to an official document obtained by New Age.
The home ministry in an instruction, issued recently, asked the authorities concerned to prevent intellectuals and eminent personalities from attending functions organised by ethnic minorities which were mainly aimed at drawing the attention of the authorities to the discrimination and negligence they are being subjected to.
The instructions, which came in line with an intelligence agency report, also included lessening coverage of their programmes both on print and electronic media, and monitoring of the movement of a few ethnic minority leaders, including Joytirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma who had led a bush war in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for about two decades until a peace deal was signed in 1997.
The instructions are being carried out by many government departments, according
to sources in the administra-tion.
When contacted for comments, the home secretary, Abdul Karim, said he was not aware of such instructions. ‘I have to see if there is something like that,’ said the home.
It is learnt that a government agency has reported to the high ups that the ethnic minority people have been engaged in propaganda against the interim government aimed at tarnishing the country’s image by holding various programmes.
‘Necessary measures should be taken so that the editors, left-leaning politicians and eminent personalities do not participate in the programmes,’ says the report, submitted to the offices of the president, chief adviser, home ministry, inspector general of police and Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner.
It named the persons and quoted their speeches delivered in the programmes, organised by the indigenous community on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 8, 2007.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum and Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolan organised several discussion meetings which were attended, among others, by indigenous leaders Santu Larma, Rupayan Dewan, Raja Debashis Roy, Promod Mankin, Rabindra Soren and Sanjib Drong, economist Rehman Sobhan, former bureaucrat Dr Akbar Ali Khan, lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain and Sarah Hossain, politicians Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, former vice-chancellor Emajuddin Ahmed, retired official Amin Ahmed and Professor Badiul Alam Majumder.
Referring to Santu Larma’s speech, the report said he had termed the policymakers of the government communal commenting that their [indigenous people] rights could not be established until a non-communal progressive government was formed.
The report said the adivasi organisations and some ‘so-called intellectuals’ had demanded that the indigenous people’s day should be observed officially.
At one such discussion, Hasanul Haq Inu, Manjurual Ahsan Khan and Rabindra Soren delivered speeches which were ‘unwarranted,’ the report claimed.
‘They are also trying to obtain messages from the president and the chief adviser on the occasion [of indigenous day],’ it further says, adding that in the name of observing the day, they are engaged in propaganda against the country.
‘They may also give confusing statements highlighting human rights violations by the operations of the army and the army-led joint forces,’ the report said, urging the government to take necessary steps so that no ‘unlawful’ activities could take place through such programmes and addresses during the state of emergency.
The home ministry, citing the reports of the intelligence agency, sent a note to the information ministry on October 11, 2007 to take measures to prevent such activities.
Instructions to take necessary steps were also given to Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other institutions concerned to that end.
Source from- http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#5
Despite repeated pledges to guarantee ethnic minority rights, the military-controlled interim government has taken a move to curb democratic rights of indigenous communities, according to an official document obtained by New Age.
The home ministry in an instruction, issued recently, asked the authorities concerned to prevent intellectuals and eminent personalities from attending functions organised by ethnic minorities which were mainly aimed at drawing the attention of the authorities to the discrimination and negligence they are being subjected to.
The instructions, which came in line with an intelligence agency report, also included lessening coverage of their programmes both on print and electronic media, and monitoring of the movement of a few ethnic minority leaders, including Joytirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma who had led a bush war in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for about two decades until a peace deal was signed in 1997.
The instructions are being carried out by many government departments, according
to sources in the administra-tion.
When contacted for comments, the home secretary, Abdul Karim, said he was not aware of such instructions. ‘I have to see if there is something like that,’ said the home.
It is learnt that a government agency has reported to the high ups that the ethnic minority people have been engaged in propaganda against the interim government aimed at tarnishing the country’s image by holding various programmes.
‘Necessary measures should be taken so that the editors, left-leaning politicians and eminent personalities do not participate in the programmes,’ says the report, submitted to the offices of the president, chief adviser, home ministry, inspector general of police and Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner.
It named the persons and quoted their speeches delivered in the programmes, organised by the indigenous community on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 8, 2007.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum and Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolan organised several discussion meetings which were attended, among others, by indigenous leaders Santu Larma, Rupayan Dewan, Raja Debashis Roy, Promod Mankin, Rabindra Soren and Sanjib Drong, economist Rehman Sobhan, former bureaucrat Dr Akbar Ali Khan, lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain and Sarah Hossain, politicians Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, former vice-chancellor Emajuddin Ahmed, retired official Amin Ahmed and Professor Badiul Alam Majumder.
Referring to Santu Larma’s speech, the report said he had termed the policymakers of the government communal commenting that their [indigenous people] rights could not be established until a non-communal progressive government was formed.
The report said the adivasi organisations and some ‘so-called intellectuals’ had demanded that the indigenous people’s day should be observed officially.
At one such discussion, Hasanul Haq Inu, Manjurual Ahsan Khan and Rabindra Soren delivered speeches which were ‘unwarranted,’ the report claimed.
‘They are also trying to obtain messages from the president and the chief adviser on the occasion [of indigenous day],’ it further says, adding that in the name of observing the day, they are engaged in propaganda against the country.
‘They may also give confusing statements highlighting human rights violations by the operations of the army and the army-led joint forces,’ the report said, urging the government to take necessary steps so that no ‘unlawful’ activities could take place through such programmes and addresses during the state of emergency.
The home ministry, citing the reports of the intelligence agency, sent a note to the information ministry on October 11, 2007 to take measures to prevent such activities.
Instructions to take necessary steps were also given to Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other institutions concerned to that end.
Source from- http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#5
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Burighat situation:
Tension in Burighat, Jummas fleeing in fear
chtnews.com
News No. 09/2008, January 24, 2008
Tensions have been running high in Burighat area of Rangamati district after Captian Qamrul of Burighat army camp gave a 72-hours ultimatum for the release of a Bengali settler alleged to have disappeared a few days back.
The ultimatum will end tomorrow, 25 January. However, the army has already arrested two Jummas from Gorjontoli village and tortured another villager. "Massive operations" are reportedly underway.
Another source said Jumma villagers from Gorhed, Edmara and Krishnama Chara are now fleeing their homes for fear of reprisal attacks.
Information about what is actually happening there is scanty as the army has blocked the Rangamati - Khagrachari road.
chtnews.com
News No. 09/2008, January 24, 2008
Tensions have been running high in Burighat area of Rangamati district after Captian Qamrul of Burighat army camp gave a 72-hours ultimatum for the release of a Bengali settler alleged to have disappeared a few days back.
The ultimatum will end tomorrow, 25 January. However, the army has already arrested two Jummas from Gorjontoli village and tortured another villager. "Massive operations" are reportedly underway.
Another source said Jumma villagers from Gorhed, Edmara and Krishnama Chara are now fleeing their homes for fear of reprisal attacks.
Information about what is actually happening there is scanty as the army has blocked the Rangamati - Khagrachari road.
Karallyachari situation:
Army arrests two Jummas in Bodanala
chtnews.com
News No. 08/2008, January 24, 2008
Army personnel in Mahalchari yesterday arrested two innocent Jummas in an overnight raid into the village of Bodanala under Maischari Union in Khagrachari district.
Priti Shankar Chakma (35) s/o Kamini Chakma and Lakshmi Bilash Chakma (42) were rousted from their homes and taken to the camp.
The soldiers also raided the house of Shanti Jibon Chakma to arrest him. However, he was not available at home at the time.
The army gave no reason for the raids and arrests so far. The army action comes two days ahead of a religious gathering to be held on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Karallyachari.
The army is opposed to the gathering and tried flat out to prevent it. In a meeting yesterday the Deputy Commissioner of Khagracahri finally gave permission to hold it.
Preparation is now underway to make the programme a success.
Signboard
The army personnel yesterday put up a signboard at the entrance of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir announcing the imposition of section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Section 145 authorises a magistrate to order status quo in relation to any land disputed by two or more parties.
The signboard reads: "Warning: the authority concerned has declared section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 249 Kiang-ghat Mouza. Legal actions shall be taken against anyone who violates the said section, or directly or indirectly instigates others to violate it or who assembles (illegally). - Ordered by the authority"
chtnews.com
News No. 08/2008, January 24, 2008
Army personnel in Mahalchari yesterday arrested two innocent Jummas in an overnight raid into the village of Bodanala under Maischari Union in Khagrachari district.
Priti Shankar Chakma (35) s/o Kamini Chakma and Lakshmi Bilash Chakma (42) were rousted from their homes and taken to the camp.
The soldiers also raided the house of Shanti Jibon Chakma to arrest him. However, he was not available at home at the time.
The army gave no reason for the raids and arrests so far. The army action comes two days ahead of a religious gathering to be held on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Karallyachari.
The army is opposed to the gathering and tried flat out to prevent it. In a meeting yesterday the Deputy Commissioner of Khagracahri finally gave permission to hold it.
Preparation is now underway to make the programme a success.
Signboard
The army personnel yesterday put up a signboard at the entrance of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir announcing the imposition of section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Section 145 authorises a magistrate to order status quo in relation to any land disputed by two or more parties.
The signboard reads: "Warning: the authority concerned has declared section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 249 Kiang-ghat Mouza. Legal actions shall be taken against anyone who violates the said section, or directly or indirectly instigates others to violate it or who assembles (illegally). - Ordered by the authority"
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Karallyachari situation:
DC meeting allows 25 Jan religious gathering
chtnews.com
News No. 07/2008, January 23, 2008
The Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari has decided to allow the organisers to hold the January 25 religious gathering at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Mahalchari of the district.
The decision was made at a meeting between officials of the district administration - both civil and military - and the Jumma organisers. It was also attended, among others, by Rev. Sumaanlankar Mahathero, Ananta Bihari Khisha, Sudha Sindu Khisha, Satyojit Chakma, chairman of Karalyachari Union and Chanchu Moni Chakma.
From administration side, all but the Khagrachari Brigade Commander were present.
Although the decision represents a victory for the Jumma organisers - as they had to wage a long and hard battle even at the meeting to force the administration to concede to their just demands, the permission has come with a caveat.
The organisers had to agree that they would hold the gathering at an open space near Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, instead of the ground prepared by the villagers by leveling it and that the motor-bike rally planned by them would be cancelled.
The meeting began at 3 p.m. and ended at about 6:30 p.m.
Military operation in Naniachar
One of our sources in Rangamati said the military today raided the village of Gorjontoli in Burighat under Naniachar Thana of the district.
The soldiers beat up at least one innocent Jumma villager and arrested two others. The identity of the victims could not be known.
The condition of the torture victim has been stated to be critical.
The army raid followed alleged disappearance of a settler from Gorhed of Burighat 2/3 days back. The settler has remained untraced since then.
The army is using the incident to mount aggressive attack on the Jummas. They were accompanied by some settlers during today's raid.
The distance between the village they have raided today and Gorhed, from where the settler was alleged to have disappeared is about 5 kilometers.
Tensions had been brewing in Burighat area for the last few months. The settlers in the area have already grabbed 25 acres of land belonging to the Jumma villagers (see News No. 2). They have been making further attempts to grab more.
The government administration is reluctant to stop such unlawful acts of the settlers, while the army often takes direct part in them.
chtnews.com
News No. 07/2008, January 23, 2008
The Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari has decided to allow the organisers to hold the January 25 religious gathering at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Mahalchari of the district.
The decision was made at a meeting between officials of the district administration - both civil and military - and the Jumma organisers. It was also attended, among others, by Rev. Sumaanlankar Mahathero, Ananta Bihari Khisha, Sudha Sindu Khisha, Satyojit Chakma, chairman of Karalyachari Union and Chanchu Moni Chakma.
From administration side, all but the Khagrachari Brigade Commander were present.
Although the decision represents a victory for the Jumma organisers - as they had to wage a long and hard battle even at the meeting to force the administration to concede to their just demands, the permission has come with a caveat.
The organisers had to agree that they would hold the gathering at an open space near Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, instead of the ground prepared by the villagers by leveling it and that the motor-bike rally planned by them would be cancelled.
The meeting began at 3 p.m. and ended at about 6:30 p.m.
Military operation in Naniachar
One of our sources in Rangamati said the military today raided the village of Gorjontoli in Burighat under Naniachar Thana of the district.
The soldiers beat up at least one innocent Jumma villager and arrested two others. The identity of the victims could not be known.
The condition of the torture victim has been stated to be critical.
The army raid followed alleged disappearance of a settler from Gorhed of Burighat 2/3 days back. The settler has remained untraced since then.
The army is using the incident to mount aggressive attack on the Jummas. They were accompanied by some settlers during today's raid.
The distance between the village they have raided today and Gorhed, from where the settler was alleged to have disappeared is about 5 kilometers.
Tensions had been brewing in Burighat area for the last few months. The settlers in the area have already grabbed 25 acres of land belonging to the Jumma villagers (see News No. 2). They have been making further attempts to grab more.
The government administration is reluctant to stop such unlawful acts of the settlers, while the army often takes direct part in them.
Karallyachari situation
DC holds meeting to decide the fate of 25 Jan religious gathering
CHTnews.com
News No. 06/2008, January 23, 2008
The Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari is holding a meeting with the local Jumma elders of Karallyachari to decide the fate of a Buddhist religious gathering slated to be held on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Mahalchari of the district.
The details of the meeting are yet to be known.
Motor bikes seized
In another development, the military personnel have begun seizing motor bikes at two points - Bizitola and Mahalchari - on Khagrachari-Rangamati road since yesterday without prior announcement.
The reason for the army action could not be known. However, the army authorities asked the bike drivers to contact them after three days.
Around 80 to 90 motor bikes have been held so far, informed a source from Khagrachari. He further said that motor bikes of Ashish Chakma, lecturer of Panchari College, Monotpol Chakma, lecturer of Mahalchari College and Nantu Chakma, a Jumma businessman, were also seized.
Bhantes (monks) barred from alms round
Another source said Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu and other monks and samanas dwelling in Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir at Karallyachari were barred from visiting lay people's houses for collecting alms-food early in the morning today.
The military halted them on the bank of the river Chengi, flowing between two villages - Karallyachari and Paujjyachari.
Later, the army forced them back to the Kuthir and videoed them.
Raid on the house of Biddya Binod Chakma
Army personnel carried out two successive overnight raids on the house of Biddya Binod Chakma, headman of Kiang-ghat Mouza, on 22 January.
The general feeling is that the army wanted to intimidate the people by the raids.
Mr. Chakma was not at home and evaded arrest.
Army put up poster
According to sources, army personnel were seen today putting up posters at village kiosks at Bodanala calling upon the general people to help nab "terrorist Chonchu Moni Chakma".
However, chtnews.com could not verify the report.
Mr. Chonchu Moni Chakma is a young Jumma entrepreneur in Khagrachari. He lives in Mahajonpara at district headquarter not far from Khagrachari army brigade office.
The reason for military's wrath against him is obvious. He is one of those helping to organise the 25 January religious programme.
CHTnews.com
News No. 06/2008, January 23, 2008
The Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari is holding a meeting with the local Jumma elders of Karallyachari to decide the fate of a Buddhist religious gathering slated to be held on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Mahalchari of the district.
The details of the meeting are yet to be known.
Motor bikes seized
In another development, the military personnel have begun seizing motor bikes at two points - Bizitola and Mahalchari - on Khagrachari-Rangamati road since yesterday without prior announcement.
The reason for the army action could not be known. However, the army authorities asked the bike drivers to contact them after three days.
Around 80 to 90 motor bikes have been held so far, informed a source from Khagrachari. He further said that motor bikes of Ashish Chakma, lecturer of Panchari College, Monotpol Chakma, lecturer of Mahalchari College and Nantu Chakma, a Jumma businessman, were also seized.
Bhantes (monks) barred from alms round
Another source said Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu and other monks and samanas dwelling in Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir at Karallyachari were barred from visiting lay people's houses for collecting alms-food early in the morning today.
The military halted them on the bank of the river Chengi, flowing between two villages - Karallyachari and Paujjyachari.
Later, the army forced them back to the Kuthir and videoed them.
Raid on the house of Biddya Binod Chakma
Army personnel carried out two successive overnight raids on the house of Biddya Binod Chakma, headman of Kiang-ghat Mouza, on 22 January.
The general feeling is that the army wanted to intimidate the people by the raids.
Mr. Chakma was not at home and evaded arrest.
Army put up poster
According to sources, army personnel were seen today putting up posters at village kiosks at Bodanala calling upon the general people to help nab "terrorist Chonchu Moni Chakma".
However, chtnews.com could not verify the report.
Mr. Chonchu Moni Chakma is a young Jumma entrepreneur in Khagrachari. He lives in Mahajonpara at district headquarter not far from Khagrachari army brigade office.
The reason for military's wrath against him is obvious. He is one of those helping to organise the 25 January religious programme.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
ADM orders Mahalchari TNO to issue show cause notice over Sarnath Kuthir
chtnews.com
News No. 05/2008, January 22, 2008
In a dramatic development, the Additional District Magistrate of Khagrachari in a communication yesterday ordered the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari to issue show cause on the headmen and Karbaris (Village head) of Karallyachari area as to why they failed to notify the administration before hand about the uplift programme of the Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir.
The ADM, Mr. Manindra Kishor Majumder also ordered the TNO to take legal actions against the headmen and Karbaris if they fail to make any satisfactory answer to the show cause notices.
The ADM's communication - the memo No. of which is je.pra.kha/je.em/tin-75/2008-63 - was prompted by a fictitious report published in The Daily Star on 12 January 2008 and enclosed a copy thereof.
The subject of the letter is "On illegal cutting of hills and trees in Kiang-ghat area" and as reference the letter has mentioned "The news article published in the Daily Star on 12 January 2008."
In the said dispatch the ADM also requested the TNO to examine the land documents of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir and take necessary measures in this regard.
The local people believe the ADM was prodded by the military, who calls all the shots in CHT, to write the said communication.
A member of the Kiang-ghat Union Council, who wished not to be named for security concerns, said "the letter issued by ADM is ill-motivated and smacks of religious hatred".
"The local government administration is either exceptionally biased or is unable to carry out its duties independently" he further said. Questioning the justification for the issuance of the letter, he continued: "How can he issue such a letter on the basis of a fictitious newspaper report and that too ten days after its publication?"
"While the administration - both civil and military - turns a blind eye to the forcible land grabbing by illegal plain settlers, it even refuses to allow us to perform our religious duties", alleged another villager requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, sources from Khagrachari said the programme of religious gathering on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir still hangs in the balance as the Khagrachari Brigade Commander reportedly declined to give permission.
The Commander visited Karallyachari yesterday and was reported to have told the organisers of the programme that he would give permission only if he got any green signal from the Ministry of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
News No. 05/2008, January 22, 2008
In a dramatic development, the Additional District Magistrate of Khagrachari in a communication yesterday ordered the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari to issue show cause on the headmen and Karbaris (Village head) of Karallyachari area as to why they failed to notify the administration before hand about the uplift programme of the Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir.
The ADM, Mr. Manindra Kishor Majumder also ordered the TNO to take legal actions against the headmen and Karbaris if they fail to make any satisfactory answer to the show cause notices.
The ADM's communication - the memo No. of which is je.pra.kha/je.em/tin-75/2008-63 - was prompted by a fictitious report published in The Daily Star on 12 January 2008 and enclosed a copy thereof.
The subject of the letter is "On illegal cutting of hills and trees in Kiang-ghat area" and as reference the letter has mentioned "The news article published in the Daily Star on 12 January 2008."
In the said dispatch the ADM also requested the TNO to examine the land documents of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir and take necessary measures in this regard.
The local people believe the ADM was prodded by the military, who calls all the shots in CHT, to write the said communication.
A member of the Kiang-ghat Union Council, who wished not to be named for security concerns, said "the letter issued by ADM is ill-motivated and smacks of religious hatred".
"The local government administration is either exceptionally biased or is unable to carry out its duties independently" he further said. Questioning the justification for the issuance of the letter, he continued: "How can he issue such a letter on the basis of a fictitious newspaper report and that too ten days after its publication?"
"While the administration - both civil and military - turns a blind eye to the forcible land grabbing by illegal plain settlers, it even refuses to allow us to perform our religious duties", alleged another villager requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, sources from Khagrachari said the programme of religious gathering on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir still hangs in the balance as the Khagrachari Brigade Commander reportedly declined to give permission.
The Commander visited Karallyachari yesterday and was reported to have told the organisers of the programme that he would give permission only if he got any green signal from the Ministry of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Land Dispute Between Indigenous People, Bangalees
Tension mounts in Mahalchari
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=20077
Axed trees at Maidhya Karallachhari following a land dispute between indigenous people and Bangalees. Photo: STAR
Tension is mounting in remote Maiddha Karalachhari area in Keyanghat union in Mohalchhari upazila between Bangalee and ethnic communities over land dispute.
Khagrachhari district administration imposed Section 145 there on January 4 and ordered status quo in the area as indigenous people allegedly felled scores of trees and tried to grab lands claimed by Bangalees, locals told this correspondent during a visit.
The indigenous people claimed the lands in the name of a prayer house, the sources said.
Officials from the district administration led by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Monindra Kishore Majumder, Mohalchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abul Hossain and teams from zonal army camp and police visited the area and asked locals to maintain status quo.
Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura who visited the area said he would sit with leaders of Bangalee and ethnic communities and called upon locals to maintain peace.
The Daily Star correspondent visited the area Saturday evening.
Abdul Ali, 50, a Bangali, said indigenous people axed trees on his land given to him by the then government in 1881. He said he is among 384 Bangalee families who got lands in the area.
Bisuddha Sar Sramon, chief of Saranath Sadhona Bihar (a monastery for which indigenous people are allegedly trying to grab lands) alleged that tension cropped up as some Bangalee people wanted to grab their lands.
Asked whether there was any land document in favour of the monastery, Sramon said it is their 'traditional right'.
Jabanika Chakma of the Sadhona Bihar said the land for the monastery was donated by Judda Bikash Chakma, Shanti Chakma, Kartik Chakma, Nabodhip Chakma, Sadish Chakma and she herself, Jabanika Chakma claimed.
But she failed to show journalists any land document.
Bisshaji Chakma, Chairman of Keyangghat Union Parishad, said government settled 384 Bangalee families in the area in 1980-1981 and gave them lands along with documents. The lands were earlier given to indigenous people in 1964, he said.
Officer-in-charge of Mohalchhari police station Mohammad Alamghir said, a police team has been deployed there to avoid any untoward incident.
Mohalchhari UNO Abul Hossen also said Bengalee people showed their land documents during his visit.
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=20077
Axed trees at Maidhya Karallachhari following a land dispute between indigenous people and Bangalees. Photo: STAR
Tension is mounting in remote Maiddha Karalachhari area in Keyanghat union in Mohalchhari upazila between Bangalee and ethnic communities over land dispute.
Khagrachhari district administration imposed Section 145 there on January 4 and ordered status quo in the area as indigenous people allegedly felled scores of trees and tried to grab lands claimed by Bangalees, locals told this correspondent during a visit.
The indigenous people claimed the lands in the name of a prayer house, the sources said.
Officials from the district administration led by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Monindra Kishore Majumder, Mohalchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abul Hossain and teams from zonal army camp and police visited the area and asked locals to maintain status quo.
Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura who visited the area said he would sit with leaders of Bangalee and ethnic communities and called upon locals to maintain peace.
The Daily Star correspondent visited the area Saturday evening.
Abdul Ali, 50, a Bangali, said indigenous people axed trees on his land given to him by the then government in 1881. He said he is among 384 Bangalee families who got lands in the area.
Bisuddha Sar Sramon, chief of Saranath Sadhona Bihar (a monastery for which indigenous people are allegedly trying to grab lands) alleged that tension cropped up as some Bangalee people wanted to grab their lands.
Asked whether there was any land document in favour of the monastery, Sramon said it is their 'traditional right'.
Jabanika Chakma of the Sadhona Bihar said the land for the monastery was donated by Judda Bikash Chakma, Shanti Chakma, Kartik Chakma, Nabodhip Chakma, Sadish Chakma and she herself, Jabanika Chakma claimed.
But she failed to show journalists any land document.
Bisshaji Chakma, Chairman of Keyangghat Union Parishad, said government settled 384 Bangalee families in the area in 1980-1981 and gave them lands along with documents. The lands were earlier given to indigenous people in 1964, he said.
Officer-in-charge of Mohalchhari police station Mohammad Alamghir said, a police team has been deployed there to avoid any untoward incident.
Mohalchhari UNO Abul Hossen also said Bengalee people showed their land documents during his visit.
Army prevents construction of a makeshift bridge in Karallyachari
CHTnews.com
News No. 04/2008, January 21, 2008
Military personnel have prevented Buddhist devotees constructing a makeshift bridge over the river Chengi at Karallyachari - Paujjyachari area under Mahalchari Thana in Khagrachari district.
Hundreds of Jumma villagers began constructing the wooden bridge early in the morning today for the convenience of the Buddhist monks and the devotees to attend a religious gathering on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a meditation centre-cum-Vihara run by a disciple of the Bana Bhante, the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in Bangladesh.
However, at around 11 a.m. army personnel from Karallychari camp ordered them to stop the work and threatened to arrest anyone disobeying their order.
"The army asked who gave us order to construct the bridge" one of the volunteers who was present at the scene told chtnews.com and added that the army would not allow them to make the bridge unless they could show permission for that.
"This reminds us of the bad old days when you needed pass for everything except for death", he further said alluding to overwhelming military control over the lives of the Jumma people during pre-Accord years.
After the army order banning the construction of the bridge, many Jumma volunteers left the scene for fear of arrest, while the army kept others inside the house of one Ranga Chakma.
The army personnel also ordered them to shift the wood logs meant for the bridge to their camp at Karallyachari.
People are now seething with discontent and they might soon find it difficult to keep their pent-up anger and growing resentment in check.
News No. 04/2008, January 21, 2008
Military personnel have prevented Buddhist devotees constructing a makeshift bridge over the river Chengi at Karallyachari - Paujjyachari area under Mahalchari Thana in Khagrachari district.
Hundreds of Jumma villagers began constructing the wooden bridge early in the morning today for the convenience of the Buddhist monks and the devotees to attend a religious gathering on 25 January at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a meditation centre-cum-Vihara run by a disciple of the Bana Bhante, the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in Bangladesh.
However, at around 11 a.m. army personnel from Karallychari camp ordered them to stop the work and threatened to arrest anyone disobeying their order.
"The army asked who gave us order to construct the bridge" one of the volunteers who was present at the scene told chtnews.com and added that the army would not allow them to make the bridge unless they could show permission for that.
"This reminds us of the bad old days when you needed pass for everything except for death", he further said alluding to overwhelming military control over the lives of the Jumma people during pre-Accord years.
After the army order banning the construction of the bridge, many Jumma volunteers left the scene for fear of arrest, while the army kept others inside the house of one Ranga Chakma.
The army personnel also ordered them to shift the wood logs meant for the bridge to their camp at Karallyachari.
People are now seething with discontent and they might soon find it difficult to keep their pent-up anger and growing resentment in check.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Settlers grab land in Burighat, Rangamati
CHTnews.com
News No. 02/2008, January 20, 2008
Illegal plain settlers led by Md. Wahab from Burighat under Rangamati district of central Chittagong Hill Tracts forcibly taken away 25 acres of land belonging to the Jumma people in Hatimara village.
The grabbing of the said lands took place in the month of December 2007.
Of the lands, 10 acres fall into the category of third class grove land and belong to Shukro Moni Chakma s/o late Monno Chakma of village North Hatimara under Burighat Mouza (No. 72).
The rest 15 acres are "fringe lands" belonging to nine individual Jummas. They are Shukro Kumar Chakma s/o Bina Chan Chakma, Progoti Chakma s/o Sobha Kishta Chakma, Subash Chandra Chakma s/o late Nil Baran Chakma, his brother Purno Chandra Chakma, Brisho Ketu Chakma s/o Gupto Moni Chakma and Hiroketu Chakma s/o Kamal Chandra Chakma of North Hatimara and Proti Chakma s/o Suresh Chandra Chakma, Priyo Ranjan Chakma s/o Prabhat Chandra Chakma and his brother Sarathi Chakma of South Hatimara village.
Acting upon a complaint lodged by the aggrieved Jummas, the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Naniachar sub-district made an inquiry into the allegation of land grabbing under army protection on 3 January 2008.
The TNO suggested two options for consideration of the Jummas. He said they can either agree to an equal distribution of the so-called disputed lands between them and the settlers or take recourse to the law to reclaim their lands.
Finally, the TNO ordered both the parties to maintain status quo until a final decision is given by a competent authority.
The failure of the TNO to eject the unlawful occupants of Jumma villager's lands has come under severe criticism. One villager said "the TNO has failed to be impartial in this case".
Another said this would encourage and embolden the settlers to grab more lands. "It is an open incitement to forcible land grabbing" he said on condition of anonymity.
The villagers alleged that after the judgment of the TNO, the illegal settlers were threatening to grab more of their lands.
News No. 02/2008, January 20, 2008
Illegal plain settlers led by Md. Wahab from Burighat under Rangamati district of central Chittagong Hill Tracts forcibly taken away 25 acres of land belonging to the Jumma people in Hatimara village.
The grabbing of the said lands took place in the month of December 2007.
Of the lands, 10 acres fall into the category of third class grove land and belong to Shukro Moni Chakma s/o late Monno Chakma of village North Hatimara under Burighat Mouza (No. 72).
The rest 15 acres are "fringe lands" belonging to nine individual Jummas. They are Shukro Kumar Chakma s/o Bina Chan Chakma, Progoti Chakma s/o Sobha Kishta Chakma, Subash Chandra Chakma s/o late Nil Baran Chakma, his brother Purno Chandra Chakma, Brisho Ketu Chakma s/o Gupto Moni Chakma and Hiroketu Chakma s/o Kamal Chandra Chakma of North Hatimara and Proti Chakma s/o Suresh Chandra Chakma, Priyo Ranjan Chakma s/o Prabhat Chandra Chakma and his brother Sarathi Chakma of South Hatimara village.
Acting upon a complaint lodged by the aggrieved Jummas, the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Naniachar sub-district made an inquiry into the allegation of land grabbing under army protection on 3 January 2008.
The TNO suggested two options for consideration of the Jummas. He said they can either agree to an equal distribution of the so-called disputed lands between them and the settlers or take recourse to the law to reclaim their lands.
Finally, the TNO ordered both the parties to maintain status quo until a final decision is given by a competent authority.
The failure of the TNO to eject the unlawful occupants of Jumma villager's lands has come under severe criticism. One villager said "the TNO has failed to be impartial in this case".
Another said this would encourage and embolden the settlers to grab more lands. "It is an open incitement to forcible land grabbing" he said on condition of anonymity.
The villagers alleged that after the judgment of the TNO, the illegal settlers were threatening to grab more of their lands.
District Council Chairman visits Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir
CHTnews.com
News No. 03/2008, January 20, 2008
The Khagrachari District Council Chairman Mr. Manindra Lal Tripura, a hand-pick of the government, yesterday, 19 January, visited Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir at Karallyachari under Mahalchari sub-district.
He was accompanied by Thana Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari Md. Abul Hossain, OC of Mahalchari police station, an Army Major and three members of the Khagrachari District Council.
His visit comes in the wake of mounting tension over a military ban on uplift activities at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist meditation centre-cum-temple run by a disciple of the Bana Bhante, the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in Bangladesh. The situation was further compounded by the filing of a criminal case against 500 Jummas by an illegal settler and the subsequent arrest of the Kuthir's chief priest Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu on 14 January. However, he was released on bail along with other Jummas named as accused in the FIR.
During his visit, Mr. Manindra Lal Tripura enquired about the Kuthir's uplift activities as well as the dispute over the land.
The chairman of Kiang-ghat Union Council Mr. Biswajit Chakma and Headman Mr. Bidya Binod Chakma told him that the Jummas had valid documents pertaining to the "disputed land" where as the documents showed by the settlers were fictitious.
The headman further told that according to the land laws now prevailing in the CHT he must be consulted before making any land grants. He alleged that he did not know how the settlers got their land documents.
Mr. Tripura assured that he would take actions after necessary consultation with the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
Two illegal settlers - Md. Mobarak, platoon commander of Para-military Ansar, and Md. Zhurul Haq from Chongrachari cluster village - were also present.
The military personnel stationed at the Kuthir area hid themselves behind bushes nearby and remained outside the gaze of Manindra Tripura and his entourage.
Military patrol increased
CHTnews.com correspondent from Mahalchari said the military have increased their patrol across the area since yesterday. Army personnel have been seen in the villages of Jadugonala, Ultachari Bihar Para, Golakkyapara, Karallyachari, Hazachari, Dadkuppya and Kiang-ghat.
An all pervading sense of fear and an uneasy is prevailing among the Jumma villagers in the area, he said.
News No. 03/2008, January 20, 2008
The Khagrachari District Council Chairman Mr. Manindra Lal Tripura, a hand-pick of the government, yesterday, 19 January, visited Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir at Karallyachari under Mahalchari sub-district.
He was accompanied by Thana Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari Md. Abul Hossain, OC of Mahalchari police station, an Army Major and three members of the Khagrachari District Council.
His visit comes in the wake of mounting tension over a military ban on uplift activities at Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist meditation centre-cum-temple run by a disciple of the Bana Bhante, the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in Bangladesh. The situation was further compounded by the filing of a criminal case against 500 Jummas by an illegal settler and the subsequent arrest of the Kuthir's chief priest Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu on 14 January. However, he was released on bail along with other Jummas named as accused in the FIR.
During his visit, Mr. Manindra Lal Tripura enquired about the Kuthir's uplift activities as well as the dispute over the land.
The chairman of Kiang-ghat Union Council Mr. Biswajit Chakma and Headman Mr. Bidya Binod Chakma told him that the Jummas had valid documents pertaining to the "disputed land" where as the documents showed by the settlers were fictitious.
The headman further told that according to the land laws now prevailing in the CHT he must be consulted before making any land grants. He alleged that he did not know how the settlers got their land documents.
Mr. Tripura assured that he would take actions after necessary consultation with the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.
Two illegal settlers - Md. Mobarak, platoon commander of Para-military Ansar, and Md. Zhurul Haq from Chongrachari cluster village - were also present.
The military personnel stationed at the Kuthir area hid themselves behind bushes nearby and remained outside the gaze of Manindra Tripura and his entourage.
Military patrol increased
CHTnews.com correspondent from Mahalchari said the military have increased their patrol across the area since yesterday. Army personnel have been seen in the villages of Jadugonala, Ultachari Bihar Para, Golakkyapara, Karallyachari, Hazachari, Dadkuppya and Kiang-ghat.
An all pervading sense of fear and an uneasy is prevailing among the Jumma villagers in the area, he said.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Press conference held against land acquisition in Bandarban
CHTnews.com
News No. 01/2008, January 19, 2008
Leaders of the Committee for Protection of Land in Bandarban have called upon the government to cancel the ongoing process of acquiring 9,560 acres of land for the purpose of expansion of Ruma Garrison in Bandarban.
The demand was made at a press conference held at Reporters Unity premises in Dhaka today, 19 January.
Committee member Mr. Khoichong Murung read out a written statement in which he claimed that the government is now at the final stage of acquiring the land in three Mouzas of Galenga, Pantola and Sengum under Ruma Upazilla.
Describing the process, he said "the Military Estate Officer of Bangladesh Military had made a proposal to the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Ruma to upgrade Ruma Garrison to a full-fledged cantonment. However, the TNO opined that the proposed expansion plan would affect 1, 569.06 acres of land of private ownership as well as 4,000 acres belonging to the Forest Department and displace 4,315 persons of 644 Jumma families. Again, in 1988 a joint team of Bandarban District Administration and the Bangladesh Military conducted feasibility study of the area and concluded that the acquisition of the said land would result in disastrous consequences. Because of this the past governments of both Awami League and BNP had refrained from endorsing the plan."
Describing the potential consequences of the ongoing land acquisition process, Mr. Khoichong further stated that "if the process is put through a total of about 4 thousand Jummas mostly from Marma, Tripura and Murung nationalities would be affected, many villages would be completely destroyed and thousands of acres of forests would melt away. On the other hand, there is no suitable and adequate land for the rehabilitation of the displaced persons. This will in turn create enormous pressure on the demands of land, increase dependence on Jum cultivation and pose serious threats to the life and livelihood of the displaced persons."
Criticizing the role of the Bangladesh Military personnel in the land acquisition process he said, "the army is, on the one hand, putting direct and indirect pressure on the village elders including Chairmen and Karbaris (village head) to accept the land acquisition programme, and proposing tantalizingly huge amounts of money as compensation on the other."
He also accused both the civil and military administration of maintaining blanket secrecy about the actual status of the land acquisition process.
The press conference was also attended by Kowla Aung Marma, Hla Mong woo Marma, Mongnu Aung Marma, Singrao Murung, Prusathoai Marma and Mongting Oyong Marma.
During the question and answer session, Mr. Kowla Aung Marma, one of the potential victims, said "We will rather die than leave our lands. If necessary we will take to the streets."
When asked how the process of acquiring the said land can go on when there is an embargo put in place by the Ministry of Land, Mr. told the media persons that the military had also tried to grab lands during the rule of BNP-led four party alliance government.
At least fifteen reporters and photo journalists from different news papers and media organisations attended the press conference.
News No. 01/2008, January 19, 2008
Leaders of the Committee for Protection of Land in Bandarban have called upon the government to cancel the ongoing process of acquiring 9,560 acres of land for the purpose of expansion of Ruma Garrison in Bandarban.
The demand was made at a press conference held at Reporters Unity premises in Dhaka today, 19 January.
Committee member Mr. Khoichong Murung read out a written statement in which he claimed that the government is now at the final stage of acquiring the land in three Mouzas of Galenga, Pantola and Sengum under Ruma Upazilla.
Describing the process, he said "the Military Estate Officer of Bangladesh Military had made a proposal to the Thana Nirbahi Officer of Ruma to upgrade Ruma Garrison to a full-fledged cantonment. However, the TNO opined that the proposed expansion plan would affect 1, 569.06 acres of land of private ownership as well as 4,000 acres belonging to the Forest Department and displace 4,315 persons of 644 Jumma families. Again, in 1988 a joint team of Bandarban District Administration and the Bangladesh Military conducted feasibility study of the area and concluded that the acquisition of the said land would result in disastrous consequences. Because of this the past governments of both Awami League and BNP had refrained from endorsing the plan."
Describing the potential consequences of the ongoing land acquisition process, Mr. Khoichong further stated that "if the process is put through a total of about 4 thousand Jummas mostly from Marma, Tripura and Murung nationalities would be affected, many villages would be completely destroyed and thousands of acres of forests would melt away. On the other hand, there is no suitable and adequate land for the rehabilitation of the displaced persons. This will in turn create enormous pressure on the demands of land, increase dependence on Jum cultivation and pose serious threats to the life and livelihood of the displaced persons."
Criticizing the role of the Bangladesh Military personnel in the land acquisition process he said, "the army is, on the one hand, putting direct and indirect pressure on the village elders including Chairmen and Karbaris (village head) to accept the land acquisition programme, and proposing tantalizingly huge amounts of money as compensation on the other."
He also accused both the civil and military administration of maintaining blanket secrecy about the actual status of the land acquisition process.
The press conference was also attended by Kowla Aung Marma, Hla Mong woo Marma, Mongnu Aung Marma, Singrao Murung, Prusathoai Marma and Mongting Oyong Marma.
During the question and answer session, Mr. Kowla Aung Marma, one of the potential victims, said "We will rather die than leave our lands. If necessary we will take to the streets."
When asked how the process of acquiring the said land can go on when there is an embargo put in place by the Ministry of Land, Mr. told the media persons that the military had also tried to grab lands during the rule of BNP-led four party alliance government.
At least fifteen reporters and photo journalists from different news papers and media organisations attended the press conference.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Army threatens to demolish Buddhist temple in Baghaihat
The Commanding Officer of Baghaihat zone in Rangamati district has ordered Rev. Dwip Bongshaw Bhukkhu, the chief priest of Bishwa Moitri Bouddha Vihar, to leave the temple.
The verbal order was given on 17 January, Thursday when the CO met the Bhikkhu at his temple in the village of Hazachara. The temple was established in 1991.
"The CO simply said that he would demolish the temple and asked me to vacate it immediately", Rev. Dwip Bongshaw, who is now in Khagrachari to report the incident to the Parbattyo Bhikkhu Sangh president Rev. Sumanalankar Mahathero, told the HWHRF by telephone.
He, however, could not tell the name of the army officer.
Baghaihat lies in the north-eastern corner of Chittagong Hill Tracts bordering Mizoram of India.
Religious freedom has come under increased attack in the recent times in CHT. On 31 December 2007, a group of army personnel led by Captain Sohel, commander of Shuknachari Indra Singh Karbari Para camp, demolished Bhujulichuk Kuthir, a Buddhist meditation centre in Lakshmichari Upazila in Khagrachari district. On 14 January 2008, police arrested a Buddhist monk named Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu from Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist meditation centre cum temple, at Karallyachari under Mahalchari Upazilla. The monk was also implicated in a frivolous case along with other 500 lay men and lay women followers.
Source- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
NEWS No. 08/2008, January 18, 2008, Friday
The verbal order was given on 17 January, Thursday when the CO met the Bhikkhu at his temple in the village of Hazachara. The temple was established in 1991.
"The CO simply said that he would demolish the temple and asked me to vacate it immediately", Rev. Dwip Bongshaw, who is now in Khagrachari to report the incident to the Parbattyo Bhikkhu Sangh president Rev. Sumanalankar Mahathero, told the HWHRF by telephone.
He, however, could not tell the name of the army officer.
Baghaihat lies in the north-eastern corner of Chittagong Hill Tracts bordering Mizoram of India.
Religious freedom has come under increased attack in the recent times in CHT. On 31 December 2007, a group of army personnel led by Captain Sohel, commander of Shuknachari Indra Singh Karbari Para camp, demolished Bhujulichuk Kuthir, a Buddhist meditation centre in Lakshmichari Upazila in Khagrachari district. On 14 January 2008, police arrested a Buddhist monk named Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu from Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist meditation centre cum temple, at Karallyachari under Mahalchari Upazilla. The monk was also implicated in a frivolous case along with other 500 lay men and lay women followers.
Source- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
NEWS No. 08/2008, January 18, 2008, Friday
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Rajpunnah fest begins on Jan 24
A five-day traditional Rajpunnah festival of local Bomang circle will begin on January 24.
The 15th king of Bomang Circle, Aung Shoi Prue Chowdhury, announced the date of the festival at a press conference at Rajbari in Bandarban.
Speaking on the occasion, the 95-year-old king said Rajpunnah bears special significance to 11 aboriginal tribes and Bangla speaking people. The king wearing traditional robe will collect tax from subjects.
The ninth Bomang king had introduced Rajpunnah in 1875 and collection of jhum tax started since 1900.
Source from:-http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/20080108204/events/rajpunnah-fest-begins-on-jan-24-sc.html
The 15th king of Bomang Circle, Aung Shoi Prue Chowdhury, announced the date of the festival at a press conference at Rajbari in Bandarban.
Speaking on the occasion, the 95-year-old king said Rajpunnah bears special significance to 11 aboriginal tribes and Bangla speaking people. The king wearing traditional robe will collect tax from subjects.
The ninth Bomang king had introduced Rajpunnah in 1875 and collection of jhum tax started since 1900.
Source from:-http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/20080108204/events/rajpunnah-fest-begins-on-jan-24-sc.html
Jumma king’s government appointment gives tribes fresh hope
By- www.survival-international.org/news/3033
Bangladesh’s caretaker government has given fresh hope to the Jumma tribal people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts by appointing a Jumma king to run the affairs of the area.
Raja Devasish Roy, who has been appointed as a ‘Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor’, is the king of the Chakmas, the most numerous of the eleven Jumma tribes. The Chief Advisor is the head of the caretaker government.
The Jumma tribes have suffered decades of violent repression at the hands of the Bangladesh military as the government has moved thousands of Bengali settlers onto their land. The government signed a peace accord with the Jummas in 1997, but has failed to fulfil almost every aspect of it.
Since emergency rule was declared in Bangladesh in January 2007, arrests and torture of Jummas have escalated. But Raja Devasish Roy’s appointment to government has raised hopes that the peace accord may at last be implemented and the Jumma people’s rights respected.
Rupayan Dewan, a senior member of the Jumma political party Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), said, ‘This appointment could be considered the wisest and the most pragmatic decision of Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed’.
Survival’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘The violence suffered by the Jummas is among the worst Survival has witnessed. We hope that the appointment of Devasish Roy will be a turning point and that the Bangladesh government will finally start upholding the Jumma’s rights.’
Source from:- http://www.survival-international.org/news/3033
Bangladesh’s caretaker government has given fresh hope to the Jumma tribal people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts by appointing a Jumma king to run the affairs of the area.
Raja Devasish Roy, who has been appointed as a ‘Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor’, is the king of the Chakmas, the most numerous of the eleven Jumma tribes. The Chief Advisor is the head of the caretaker government.
The Jumma tribes have suffered decades of violent repression at the hands of the Bangladesh military as the government has moved thousands of Bengali settlers onto their land. The government signed a peace accord with the Jummas in 1997, but has failed to fulfil almost every aspect of it.
Since emergency rule was declared in Bangladesh in January 2007, arrests and torture of Jummas have escalated. But Raja Devasish Roy’s appointment to government has raised hopes that the peace accord may at last be implemented and the Jumma people’s rights respected.
Rupayan Dewan, a senior member of the Jumma political party Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), said, ‘This appointment could be considered the wisest and the most pragmatic decision of Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed’.
Survival’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘The violence suffered by the Jummas is among the worst Survival has witnessed. We hope that the appointment of Devasish Roy will be a turning point and that the Bangladesh government will finally start upholding the Jumma’s rights.’
Source from:- http://www.survival-international.org/news/3033
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Chakma Circle Chief Barrister Raja Debashis Roy given ministeries of CHTs Affairs
The newly appointed three special assistants with the status of state minister were given the portfolios with Chief of Chakma Tribe Barrister Raja Debashish Roy getting the charges of the Ministries of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and Environment and Forest.
Brigadier General (retd) MA Malek was assigned with the charges of Post and Telecommunication and Social Welfare Ministries.
Energy expert and Professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Dr M Tamim was entrusted with the responsibilities of Energy and Mineral Resources Division and Power Division.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed made the reallocations in line with the rule 3(iv) of Rules of Business, 1996.
The one-year-old caretaker government witnessed the major changes in the past one week as five advisers were sworn in on January 9.
Source from BSS, Dhaka
Brigadier General (retd) MA Malek was assigned with the charges of Post and Telecommunication and Social Welfare Ministries.
Energy expert and Professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Dr M Tamim was entrusted with the responsibilities of Energy and Mineral Resources Division and Power Division.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed made the reallocations in line with the rule 3(iv) of Rules of Business, 1996.
The one-year-old caretaker government witnessed the major changes in the past one week as five advisers were sworn in on January 9.
Source from BSS, Dhaka
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir update:
Cases filed against 500 Jummas including monk and dead
As part of a broader conspiracy to grab the lands of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist religious meditation centre cum temple run by a disciple of Rev. Bana Bhante, a fictitious case has been filed against 500 Jumma men and women including the chief priest of the Kuthir and a dead man.
The case was filed by Abdul Majid (50) s/o late Akad Zaman, an illegal settler from Karallyachari cluster village, under sections 143, 447, 379, 427, 506 and 109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.
The case (No. 1, dated 11/1/2008) was filed with Mahalchari police station on 11 January 2008.
Broadly speaking, the allegations brought against them range from illegal gathering to theft to destruction to private property.
In the First Information Report, Mr. Abdul Majid, the complainant, stated that 400 - 500 Jummas were involved in the commission of the offences. However, he mentioned only 12 names as accused. They are Bishwajit Chakma, chairman of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Dharmaraj Chakma, member of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Samiran Chakma of Jadugonala village, Sunil Jibon Chakma, ex-member of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Manik Lal Chakma of Karallyachari Mukh village, Kartik Chandra Chakma of Karallyachari Bhitor Para village, Bidya Binod Chakma, headman of Kiang-ghat Mouza, Dev Bharat Chakma, member of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Bijoy Chakma, Karallyachari Mukh Para village, Nikhil Chakma, head of Karallyachari Bhitor Para village, Tumbo Chakma of Karallyachari Mukh and Aryo Joti Bhikkhu, chief priest of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir.
How ill-motivated and frivolous the case is can be understood by the fact that of the accused, Mr. Tumbo Chakma is dead and Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu is a Buddhist monk.
Released
In the meantime, Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu, who was arrested from his cottage on the morning of 14 January, and 11 others named in the FIR were granted bail when they were produced before the Khagrachari district court.
After his release, Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu has returned to the Kuthir.
Conspiracy to grab Kuthir's land
Situated about 15 kilometers south of Khagrachari district headquarters, Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir (cottage) area comprises 18 acres of land donated by five Jumma villagers. Of the 18 acres, Kartik Chandra Chakma of Karallyachari Bhitor Para, late Tumbo Chakma and Nagendra Chakma of Karallyachari Mukh Para and Gunodhar Chakma of Kiang-ghat village donated 4 acres each, while Nanda Kumar Chakma of Karallyachari Bhitor Para donated 2 acres.
The Kuthir was established in 2004 by a disciple of Rev. Bana Bhante, the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in CHT. At present seven fully ordained monks and four Sramanas (novices) live in the cottage. The monks are Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu, the founder and chief priest, Rev. Artho Dorshi Bhikkhu, Rev. Buddha Dutta Bhikkhu, Rev. Shanta Deep Bhikkhu, Rev. Bibekananda Bhikkhu, Rev. Bishudhachar Bhikkhu and Rev. Kallyan Kirti Bhikkhu.
In November last year, the Jumma devotees began to uplift the Kuthir with hundreds of men and women taking part in it on voluntary basis. The uplift work consisted in the main of leveling the ground and construction of living rooms and dining halls for the monks and the Sramanas.
While all this was going on in full swing, the army and the settlers appeared on the scene from nowhere and raised objections to the construction activities. The settlers laid claim to the Kuthir's land and the army ordered the stoppage of all kinds of uplift work in the Kuthir area. Army personnel have been deployed there since 3 January. But all these could not deter hundreds of Jumma men and women, fired by religious passion and devotion, from carrying on the voluntary work.
As the Jumma devotees refused to obey the unlawful order of the army, the civil administration ultimately intervened and asked them to put a hold on the uplift activities.
Source-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
As part of a broader conspiracy to grab the lands of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist religious meditation centre cum temple run by a disciple of Rev. Bana Bhante, a fictitious case has been filed against 500 Jumma men and women including the chief priest of the Kuthir and a dead man.
The case was filed by Abdul Majid (50) s/o late Akad Zaman, an illegal settler from Karallyachari cluster village, under sections 143, 447, 379, 427, 506 and 109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.
The case (No. 1, dated 11/1/2008) was filed with Mahalchari police station on 11 January 2008.
Broadly speaking, the allegations brought against them range from illegal gathering to theft to destruction to private property.
In the First Information Report, Mr. Abdul Majid, the complainant, stated that 400 - 500 Jummas were involved in the commission of the offences. However, he mentioned only 12 names as accused. They are Bishwajit Chakma, chairman of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Dharmaraj Chakma, member of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Samiran Chakma of Jadugonala village, Sunil Jibon Chakma, ex-member of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Manik Lal Chakma of Karallyachari Mukh village, Kartik Chandra Chakma of Karallyachari Bhitor Para village, Bidya Binod Chakma, headman of Kiang-ghat Mouza, Dev Bharat Chakma, member of Kiang-ghat Union Council, Bijoy Chakma, Karallyachari Mukh Para village, Nikhil Chakma, head of Karallyachari Bhitor Para village, Tumbo Chakma of Karallyachari Mukh and Aryo Joti Bhikkhu, chief priest of Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir.
How ill-motivated and frivolous the case is can be understood by the fact that of the accused, Mr. Tumbo Chakma is dead and Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu is a Buddhist monk.
Released
In the meantime, Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu, who was arrested from his cottage on the morning of 14 January, and 11 others named in the FIR were granted bail when they were produced before the Khagrachari district court.
After his release, Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu has returned to the Kuthir.
Conspiracy to grab Kuthir's land
Situated about 15 kilometers south of Khagrachari district headquarters, Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir (cottage) area comprises 18 acres of land donated by five Jumma villagers. Of the 18 acres, Kartik Chandra Chakma of Karallyachari Bhitor Para, late Tumbo Chakma and Nagendra Chakma of Karallyachari Mukh Para and Gunodhar Chakma of Kiang-ghat village donated 4 acres each, while Nanda Kumar Chakma of Karallyachari Bhitor Para donated 2 acres.
The Kuthir was established in 2004 by a disciple of Rev. Bana Bhante, the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in CHT. At present seven fully ordained monks and four Sramanas (novices) live in the cottage. The monks are Rev. Aryo Joti Bhikkhu, the founder and chief priest, Rev. Artho Dorshi Bhikkhu, Rev. Buddha Dutta Bhikkhu, Rev. Shanta Deep Bhikkhu, Rev. Bibekananda Bhikkhu, Rev. Bishudhachar Bhikkhu and Rev. Kallyan Kirti Bhikkhu.
In November last year, the Jumma devotees began to uplift the Kuthir with hundreds of men and women taking part in it on voluntary basis. The uplift work consisted in the main of leveling the ground and construction of living rooms and dining halls for the monks and the Sramanas.
While all this was going on in full swing, the army and the settlers appeared on the scene from nowhere and raised objections to the construction activities. The settlers laid claim to the Kuthir's land and the army ordered the stoppage of all kinds of uplift work in the Kuthir area. Army personnel have been deployed there since 3 January. But all these could not deter hundreds of Jumma men and women, fired by religious passion and devotion, from carrying on the voluntary work.
As the Jumma devotees refused to obey the unlawful order of the army, the civil administration ultimately intervened and asked them to put a hold on the uplift activities.
Source-Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
Monday, January 14, 2008
BREAKING NEWS
11:30 A.M. 14 January 2008, Monday
Buddhist monk arrested in Khagrachari
POLICE HAVE REPORTEDLY ARRESTED REV. ARYA JOTI BHIKKHU, THE CHIEFPRIEST OF SARNATH ARANNYO KUTHIR IN KARALLYACHARI UNDER MAHALCHARIUPAZILLA IN KHAGRACHARI DISTRICT.
He was arrested by police personnel from Maischari police barrack afew hours ago from his Kuthir or cottage. No further details areavailable.
Earlier, yesterday the civil administration officials ordered theKuthir authority to stop its uplift work that had been going on forthe last two months.
The government also banned a religious event scheduled for 25 Januaryat the Kuthir.
Source from:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
Buddhist monk arrested in Khagrachari
POLICE HAVE REPORTEDLY ARRESTED REV. ARYA JOTI BHIKKHU, THE CHIEFPRIEST OF SARNATH ARANNYO KUTHIR IN KARALLYACHARI UNDER MAHALCHARIUPAZILLA IN KHAGRACHARI DISTRICT.
He was arrested by police personnel from Maischari police barrack afew hours ago from his Kuthir or cottage. No further details areavailable.
Earlier, yesterday the civil administration officials ordered theKuthir authority to stop its uplift work that had been going on forthe last two months.
The government also banned a religious event scheduled for 25 Januaryat the Kuthir.
Source from:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Press Release
On the induction of new Advisors and Special Assistants to the CA
I warmly welcome the right nomination of five right personalities to the Advisory Council as Advisers and three Special Assistants to the honourable Chief Adviser. They all are well known in the society for their commitment, capability and integrity and fortunately, I know a few of them who enjoy my highest regards.
I also hail the decision of the Advisory Council for starting dialogue with the political parties which was completely ignored during last crucial one year. I urge upon the government to also include the JSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti) in the dialogue process.
The induction of Barrister Raja Devasish Roy to the Council as Special Assistant to the CA with the status of State Minister could be amounted as the wisest and pragmatic decision of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the honourable CA and concerned others. I would not be astonished if I could hear the announcement for him as in-charge of CHT and the Indigenous peoples (IPs). Within the existing legal frame works and the reality he could be able to render most balanced service that will boost up confidence of the CHT peoples and the IPs and high up image of the Caretaker government at home and abroad.
I am confident that this complete new set of Advisers and the Special Assistants would try to give the nation a credible election at the earliest and work hard to help establish democratic culture in political fields as well as ascertain good governance.
Rupayan Dewan
Councillor, CHT Regional Council and
Central Committee Member, JSS
Rangamati, the 11 January, 2008, 04.00 hours.
I warmly welcome the right nomination of five right personalities to the Advisory Council as Advisers and three Special Assistants to the honourable Chief Adviser. They all are well known in the society for their commitment, capability and integrity and fortunately, I know a few of them who enjoy my highest regards.
I also hail the decision of the Advisory Council for starting dialogue with the political parties which was completely ignored during last crucial one year. I urge upon the government to also include the JSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti) in the dialogue process.
The induction of Barrister Raja Devasish Roy to the Council as Special Assistant to the CA with the status of State Minister could be amounted as the wisest and pragmatic decision of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the honourable CA and concerned others. I would not be astonished if I could hear the announcement for him as in-charge of CHT and the Indigenous peoples (IPs). Within the existing legal frame works and the reality he could be able to render most balanced service that will boost up confidence of the CHT peoples and the IPs and high up image of the Caretaker government at home and abroad.
I am confident that this complete new set of Advisers and the Special Assistants would try to give the nation a credible election at the earliest and work hard to help establish democratic culture in political fields as well as ascertain good governance.
Rupayan Dewan
Councillor, CHT Regional Council and
Central Committee Member, JSS
Rangamati, the 11 January, 2008, 04.00 hours.
Friday, January 11, 2008
To
His Excelency Chakma Circle Chief
Barrister Raja Debashis Roy
Rangamati Hill Tract, Bangladesh
His Execlency Chakma Raja Barrister Debashis Roy,
Our heartiest Congratulation to Devashis Roy, from the Indigenous Jumma People`s Movement in North America (IJPMNA)
his appointment as Speciel Assistant to the Chief Advisor, Present Government of Bangladesh.
We wish him the bright success in life and during his performing responsibilities with the Goverment of Bangladesh.
---------------------------------------------------------
The "IJPMNA"provides you currect CHTs news and information.
Contact with this:-
E mail:- jpnus@yahoo.com
Sites:- http://jummacht.blogspot.com/
Thursday, January 10, 2008
9-year old Jumma girl raped and murdered
A 9-year old Jumma girl has been raped and murdered in Ramgarh under Khagrachari district.
Ms Shamini Tripura, aged 9, (father's name Mung Chandra Tripura) was raped on 8 January while she was on her way back home from school. She was a class three student of Sonai Aga Government Primary School.
Her mother Jotina Tripura told HWHRF that Shamini set out for school at about 8 in the morning, which is about 2 kilometers from their house in the village of Ghorta Para. "As she was not back home long after the closure of classes, we began searching for her" she said adding that they found her lying dead in a pool of blood only the next day in the jungle between the school and their home.
She confirmed that they found evidence of rape on her body. However, she could not tell who the culprits might be, although she said there are sizable Bengali settlements as well as Jumma houses in Sonai Aga village, previously known as Huneitya and populated exclusively by Jumma people.
Their village Ghorta Para lies about 3 kilometers west of Ramgarh Upazilla headquarters.
Sonali Chakma, president of Hill Women's Federation, a platform for the Jumma women in CHT, condemned the rape and murder of Shamini Tripura and demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for the culprits.
Recently, sexual violence against the Jumma women has increased. A few days back, on 4 December 2007, a ten-year old Marma girl was raped in Manikchari under Khagrachari district while she was on her way to school. The culprit was identified, but never punished. The police refused to file cases in connection with the incident.
On 26 October 2007, a Bengali settler named Mostafa attempted to rape Ms Myenu Marma alias Anu (23) in Lakshmichari. She was on her way to Shalbon Buddhist temple to offer food to Buddhist monks.
On 22 July 2007, Ms Supta Chakma (17) was gang-raped by some Bengali miscreants at Free Port area in Chittagong. She came there in search of a job at factories in Export Processing Zone.
On 17 April 2007, an unidentified settler made an attempt to rape Ms Arema Marma, a housewife, in Manikchari under Khagrachari district.
On 4 February 2007, a group of settlers kidnapped Nunu Ujai Marma (16) from Lohazhiri village under Byshari in Bandarban district while she was grazing her cows. She has not been traced since then and is believed to have been raped and murdered.
On 2 January 2007, a group of army personnel attempted to rape the wife of one Ranu Chakma (35) s/o Natya Chakma in Bakchari village under Naniachar Thana of Rangamati district.
Source:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 06/2008, January 10, 2008
Ms Shamini Tripura, aged 9, (father's name Mung Chandra Tripura) was raped on 8 January while she was on her way back home from school. She was a class three student of Sonai Aga Government Primary School.
Her mother Jotina Tripura told HWHRF that Shamini set out for school at about 8 in the morning, which is about 2 kilometers from their house in the village of Ghorta Para. "As she was not back home long after the closure of classes, we began searching for her" she said adding that they found her lying dead in a pool of blood only the next day in the jungle between the school and their home.
She confirmed that they found evidence of rape on her body. However, she could not tell who the culprits might be, although she said there are sizable Bengali settlements as well as Jumma houses in Sonai Aga village, previously known as Huneitya and populated exclusively by Jumma people.
Their village Ghorta Para lies about 3 kilometers west of Ramgarh Upazilla headquarters.
Sonali Chakma, president of Hill Women's Federation, a platform for the Jumma women in CHT, condemned the rape and murder of Shamini Tripura and demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for the culprits.
Recently, sexual violence against the Jumma women has increased. A few days back, on 4 December 2007, a ten-year old Marma girl was raped in Manikchari under Khagrachari district while she was on her way to school. The culprit was identified, but never punished. The police refused to file cases in connection with the incident.
On 26 October 2007, a Bengali settler named Mostafa attempted to rape Ms Myenu Marma alias Anu (23) in Lakshmichari. She was on her way to Shalbon Buddhist temple to offer food to Buddhist monks.
On 22 July 2007, Ms Supta Chakma (17) was gang-raped by some Bengali miscreants at Free Port area in Chittagong. She came there in search of a job at factories in Export Processing Zone.
On 17 April 2007, an unidentified settler made an attempt to rape Ms Arema Marma, a housewife, in Manikchari under Khagrachari district.
On 4 February 2007, a group of settlers kidnapped Nunu Ujai Marma (16) from Lohazhiri village under Byshari in Bandarban district while she was grazing her cows. She has not been traced since then and is believed to have been raped and murdered.
On 2 January 2007, a group of army personnel attempted to rape the wife of one Ranu Chakma (35) s/o Natya Chakma in Bakchari village under Naniachar Thana of Rangamati district.
Source:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 06/2008, January 10, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Army lays siege to Sarnath Arannyo Kuthir in Maischari
Army personnel from Kiang-ghat camp continue to lay siege to SarnathArannyo Kuthir, a Buddhist temple run by one of Rev. Bana Bhate'sdisciples in Maischari, Khagrachari.
On 3 January, the army illegally ordered the devotees to stop upliftactivities of the temple and began the siege. Since then, constructionwork of living rooms and a dining hall for Buddhist monks has remainedsuspended.
One un-named Major, who is leading the siege, forced hundreds of Jummadevotees to leave the temple and threatened Shushil Jibon Chakma forattending a press conference in Dhaka against continuous land grabbingin CHT.
The army reportedly told the devotees that the Bengali settlers raisedobjection against the uplift work of the temple and that they weremerely acting on their objection.
When one of the devotees asked whether they had injunction order fromany law court, the army commander failed to give any satisfactoryanswer.
Source:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 04/2008, January 07, 2008
On 3 January, the army illegally ordered the devotees to stop upliftactivities of the temple and began the siege. Since then, constructionwork of living rooms and a dining hall for Buddhist monks has remainedsuspended.
One un-named Major, who is leading the siege, forced hundreds of Jummadevotees to leave the temple and threatened Shushil Jibon Chakma forattending a press conference in Dhaka against continuous land grabbingin CHT.
The army reportedly told the devotees that the Bengali settlers raisedobjection against the uplift work of the temple and that they weremerely acting on their objection.
When one of the devotees asked whether they had injunction order fromany law court, the army commander failed to give any satisfactoryanswer.
Source:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 04/2008, January 07, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Army ransacks Buddhist temple in Lakshmichari
"We will not tolerate any Buddha house here; we want only Allah's house" says Captain Shohel.
A group of army personnel led by captain Shohel, commander of Indra Singh Karbaripara camp in Lakshmichari under Khagrachari district, ransacked a Buddhist temple-cum-meditation centre at Bhujulichuk hilltop run by one of Rev. Bana Bhante's disciples.
Rev. Bana Bhante is the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in Bangladesh and is believed to have attained Arahathood, the supreme stage of spiritual achievement in Buddhism.
The incident took place at around 8 a.m. on 31 December 2007. Captain Sohel and his 15 soldiers destroyed a cottage and smashed the thatched roof and bamboo-wall of the main temple while Shubhopriyo Sramana was in deep meditation inside, unperturbed by the sounds of the destruction. (Photo added in PDF format)
There was another cottage on the north side. The marauding soldiers smashed it too. The latrine, the bath house and the rest house were also demolished while the monk's robes shred to pieces.
To crown it all, the army personnel threw away the statue of the Lord Buddha into the jungle to the north of the temple. However, a few minutes later they picked it up again and kept it on the ground under open sky on the east side of the temple.
Two fully ordained Buddhist monks and Shubhopriyo Sramana, a novice, live in the temple-cum-meditation centre. The name of the chief priest is Rev. Shradha Tissyo Thera and the other monk's name is Rev. Karuna Tirtho Bhikkhu.
The army commander told the monks that they could live there only if they got permission from the government; otherwise they would have to leave.
The chief monk Rev. Shradha Tissyo Thera asked him whether it was stipulated in the constitution of Bangladesh that government permission is mandatory for the construction of any religious institution.
The commander said "No".
The Bhante (monk) further asked whether such permission is required in other parts of the world.
The perplexed army men replied "No" again.
The Bhante then asked: "given that every one has equal rights to practice his / her own religion, what harm does my mode of paying worship and devotion to the Buddha cause to you?"
The utterly devastated commander fell silent and was at a loss for words before he finally found his tongue.
He just uttered "I am forced to do this army job to earn wherewithal" (pether janno chakri korte hochchey) and then left.
Previous forays
The incident represents the third attack since July and the second in December last year.
The army made its first foray into the Bhujulichuk temple on 17 July 2007. At that time army personnel led by captain Raihan, commander of Shuknachari army camp, demolished the Bhujulichuk meditation centre and briefly detained two Buddhist novices - Shasan Ujjal and Nykistic Sramana - who had been meditating there for months. They were forced to leave the temple. (see HWHRF news No. 24).
Afterwards, the devotees rebuilt the temple-cum-meditation centre and invited the monks to live there.
"We want only Allah's house"On 21 December 2007, the army launched another assault. On that day at around 8 a.m. a group of 20 army personnel led by Captain Shohel from Indra Singh Karbari Para camp (30 Field Artillery) raided the Bhujulichuk temple cum meditation centre and harassed the Buddhist monks.
Captain Shohel asked the Bhante a few questions and the Bhante gave their answers. The conversation follows:
Captain Shohel: Under whose instruction have you come here?
The Bhante: We came here on the Bana Bhante's order.
Captain Shohel: How many months have you been living here?
The Bhante: Two to three months.
Captain Shohel: Where do you sleep at night?
The Bhante: Under the tree.
Captain Shohel: Who provide food to you?
The Bhante: We live by begging alms and if we don't get any we go without food.
Captain Shohel then pulled down the Buddhist flag, burnt it down and then replaced it with a tiny towel (Gamcha).
He told the Bhante that "we will not tolerate any Buddha house here; we want only Allah's house."
Earlier, at the time of conversation the two monks and the novice were photographed and videoed.
Forced meetingOn 30 December, one day before the latest raid on Bhujulichuk, Captain Shohel forced the villagers to attend a meeting called by him at a village shop.
At the meeting, the commander said "you can build temple only after you have got permission from the government."
"And if you get permission, then we will assist you in the construction of the temple", he added.
Religious persecution on rise
Religious persecution is on the rise in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
On 10 January 2007, a group of army personnel from Lakshmichari zone raided Aryo Mitra Bouddha Vihara and harassed Rev. Sharadhatissyo Bhikkhu, the chief priest of the temple.
In August - September 2007, the settlers backed by the army made desperate attempts to capture 300 acres of land including 100 acres belonging to Sadhana Tila Bana Viahra in Dighinala, Khagrachari. They smashed the signboard of the Vihara and harassed the monks.
On 5 November 2007, Major Qamruzzaman, commander of Babuchara zone, called Sneha Moy Chakma and Santosh Jibon Chakma to his camp and threatened them not to use loudspeaker for public announcement of the Katin Chivor Danotsav, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The army also halted the car carrying the monks at Babuchara and released them only after the threat to hold a religious gathering in front of the camp.
On 12 September 2007, the Upazilla Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari, Md. Abdul Matin, issued a public notice prohibiting construction of new religious institutions without prior permission of the authorities concerned. The notice was aimed at curbing Buddhist religious practice and facilitating illegal Bengali settlement.
Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 03/2008, January 06, 2008
A group of army personnel led by captain Shohel, commander of Indra Singh Karbaripara camp in Lakshmichari under Khagrachari district, ransacked a Buddhist temple-cum-meditation centre at Bhujulichuk hilltop run by one of Rev. Bana Bhante's disciples.
Rev. Bana Bhante is the most revered and venerated Buddhist monk in Bangladesh and is believed to have attained Arahathood, the supreme stage of spiritual achievement in Buddhism.
The incident took place at around 8 a.m. on 31 December 2007. Captain Sohel and his 15 soldiers destroyed a cottage and smashed the thatched roof and bamboo-wall of the main temple while Shubhopriyo Sramana was in deep meditation inside, unperturbed by the sounds of the destruction. (Photo added in PDF format)
There was another cottage on the north side. The marauding soldiers smashed it too. The latrine, the bath house and the rest house were also demolished while the monk's robes shred to pieces.
To crown it all, the army personnel threw away the statue of the Lord Buddha into the jungle to the north of the temple. However, a few minutes later they picked it up again and kept it on the ground under open sky on the east side of the temple.
Two fully ordained Buddhist monks and Shubhopriyo Sramana, a novice, live in the temple-cum-meditation centre. The name of the chief priest is Rev. Shradha Tissyo Thera and the other monk's name is Rev. Karuna Tirtho Bhikkhu.
The army commander told the monks that they could live there only if they got permission from the government; otherwise they would have to leave.
The chief monk Rev. Shradha Tissyo Thera asked him whether it was stipulated in the constitution of Bangladesh that government permission is mandatory for the construction of any religious institution.
The commander said "No".
The Bhante (monk) further asked whether such permission is required in other parts of the world.
The perplexed army men replied "No" again.
The Bhante then asked: "given that every one has equal rights to practice his / her own religion, what harm does my mode of paying worship and devotion to the Buddha cause to you?"
The utterly devastated commander fell silent and was at a loss for words before he finally found his tongue.
He just uttered "I am forced to do this army job to earn wherewithal" (pether janno chakri korte hochchey) and then left.
Previous forays
The incident represents the third attack since July and the second in December last year.
The army made its first foray into the Bhujulichuk temple on 17 July 2007. At that time army personnel led by captain Raihan, commander of Shuknachari army camp, demolished the Bhujulichuk meditation centre and briefly detained two Buddhist novices - Shasan Ujjal and Nykistic Sramana - who had been meditating there for months. They were forced to leave the temple. (see HWHRF news No. 24).
Afterwards, the devotees rebuilt the temple-cum-meditation centre and invited the monks to live there.
"We want only Allah's house"On 21 December 2007, the army launched another assault. On that day at around 8 a.m. a group of 20 army personnel led by Captain Shohel from Indra Singh Karbari Para camp (30 Field Artillery) raided the Bhujulichuk temple cum meditation centre and harassed the Buddhist monks.
Captain Shohel asked the Bhante a few questions and the Bhante gave their answers. The conversation follows:
Captain Shohel: Under whose instruction have you come here?
The Bhante: We came here on the Bana Bhante's order.
Captain Shohel: How many months have you been living here?
The Bhante: Two to three months.
Captain Shohel: Where do you sleep at night?
The Bhante: Under the tree.
Captain Shohel: Who provide food to you?
The Bhante: We live by begging alms and if we don't get any we go without food.
Captain Shohel then pulled down the Buddhist flag, burnt it down and then replaced it with a tiny towel (Gamcha).
He told the Bhante that "we will not tolerate any Buddha house here; we want only Allah's house."
Earlier, at the time of conversation the two monks and the novice were photographed and videoed.
Forced meetingOn 30 December, one day before the latest raid on Bhujulichuk, Captain Shohel forced the villagers to attend a meeting called by him at a village shop.
At the meeting, the commander said "you can build temple only after you have got permission from the government."
"And if you get permission, then we will assist you in the construction of the temple", he added.
Religious persecution on rise
Religious persecution is on the rise in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
On 10 January 2007, a group of army personnel from Lakshmichari zone raided Aryo Mitra Bouddha Vihara and harassed Rev. Sharadhatissyo Bhikkhu, the chief priest of the temple.
In August - September 2007, the settlers backed by the army made desperate attempts to capture 300 acres of land including 100 acres belonging to Sadhana Tila Bana Viahra in Dighinala, Khagrachari. They smashed the signboard of the Vihara and harassed the monks.
On 5 November 2007, Major Qamruzzaman, commander of Babuchara zone, called Sneha Moy Chakma and Santosh Jibon Chakma to his camp and threatened them not to use loudspeaker for public announcement of the Katin Chivor Danotsav, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The army also halted the car carrying the monks at Babuchara and released them only after the threat to hold a religious gathering in front of the camp.
On 12 September 2007, the Upazilla Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari, Md. Abdul Matin, issued a public notice prohibiting construction of new religious institutions without prior permission of the authorities concerned. The notice was aimed at curbing Buddhist religious practice and facilitating illegal Bengali settlement.
Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 03/2008, January 06, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Settlers attack one in Matiranga over land grabbing
Oli Mohan Tripura (45) was seriously wounded in a settler attack on 1January 2008 as he prevented an attempt at illegal grabbing of hisland by illegal plain settlers in Matiranga.
The incident took place in Islampur village (No. 10) of MatirangaMunicipality under Khagrachari district and relates to a piece of plowland belonging to Oli Mohan Tripura.
Mr. Tripura mortgaged 2 of his 3 acres of paddy land to Nurul Islam(50), an illegal plain settler implanted by the government ofBangladesh in the 1980s. But the settler now attempts to grab all hisland including the one acre which has not been mortgaged and heactually ventured to plough all the 3 acres ignoring the mortgagedeed. When Mr. Tripura asked him to adhere to the agreement, NurulIslam and his two sons - Salam and Alom - mounted an attack on him.
Eyewitnesses said the settlers attacked him with dao (a sharp weapon)without any manner of provocation on his side. When Mr. Tripurascreamed for help, peoples from nearby areas rushed to the scene andrescued him.
He was then admitted to Matiranga hospital for treatment.
It is not known whether the attackers have been arrested or whetherany case has been filed against them.
The Jummas are always in the receiving end and when the parties to anydispute belong to Jummas and settlers, the former can never hope forreceiving justice. The settlers are often encouraged by the army toencroach on Jumma's land and forcible land grabbing has become aserious problem in CHT.
Source from:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 02/2008, January 05, 2008
The incident took place in Islampur village (No. 10) of MatirangaMunicipality under Khagrachari district and relates to a piece of plowland belonging to Oli Mohan Tripura.
Mr. Tripura mortgaged 2 of his 3 acres of paddy land to Nurul Islam(50), an illegal plain settler implanted by the government ofBangladesh in the 1980s. But the settler now attempts to grab all hisland including the one acre which has not been mortgaged and heactually ventured to plough all the 3 acres ignoring the mortgagedeed. When Mr. Tripura asked him to adhere to the agreement, NurulIslam and his two sons - Salam and Alom - mounted an attack on him.
Eyewitnesses said the settlers attacked him with dao (a sharp weapon)without any manner of provocation on his side. When Mr. Tripurascreamed for help, peoples from nearby areas rushed to the scene andrescued him.
He was then admitted to Matiranga hospital for treatment.
It is not known whether the attackers have been arrested or whetherany case has been filed against them.
The Jummas are always in the receiving end and when the parties to anydispute belong to Jummas and settlers, the former can never hope forreceiving justice. The settlers are often encouraged by the army toencroach on Jumma's land and forcible land grabbing has become aserious problem in CHT.
Source from:- Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 02/2008, January 05, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Army prevents temple uplift work in Maischari
Military personnel, yesterday, asked the Jumma villagers to stopuplift work of a Buddhist temple in Maischari under Khagracharidistrict.
A group of ten army personnel from Bizitola camp arrived at SarnathArannyo Kuthir temple at about 1:30 p.m. and ordered the devotees tostop the uplift work they had been doing for the last two months.
They also briefly detained Aungjyo Karbari, the village head ofKorngjyo Karbari Para and interrogated him about the temple work.
About 50 Jumma men and women from Choudhury Para village were workingwhen the army personnel came there.
Earlier in the morning, another group of army men from Kiang-ghat camphad visited the temple but said nothing to the devotees.
Hundreds of Buddhist devotees from nearby villages such asKarallyachari, Jadugonala, Rangapanichara, Mubachari, Sabgujya,Manikchari, Bolipara, Bachchupara, Magistrate Para and Choudhury parahave been working daily for the uplift of the temple. The workconsists mainly of leveling the ground, constructing a dining hall andliving rooms for the monks.
The army said such activities cannot be carried out without priorpermission of the Mahalchari Thana administration.
HARASSMENT
As we prepare this report, the HWHRF representative stationed in thearea informed that the army personnel from Kiang-ghat camp reappearedat the temple in the morning today and briefly detained four Jummateenagers who had stayed in the temple last night to perform theirshare of the temple duties - mainly to prepare breakfast for the monksearly in the morning.
The soldiers ordered them to sit on a bench for a group photograph,but the boys felt offended and refused to comply.
This enraged the soldiers who held them there and refused to allowthem to go back to their homes.
Later, groups of women and their guardians came to the temple and tookthem out ignoring army's order.
The teenagers have been identified as 1. Bablu Chakma s/o Samal Chakma, student of class nine in Buddha Shishu Ghar School; 2. MitonChakma (14) a student of class nine in Naniachari school; 3. EltuChakma (16) s/o Ulong Chakma, a candidate for Secondary School Certificate; and 4. Nandan Chakma (14) s/o Jibo Moy Chakma.
Meanwhile, despite military presence, groups of Jumma villagers keptcoming to the temple. But the army ordered them not to carry on theuplift work.
The soldiers asked them whether they came there under UPDF'sinstruction. They replied they came to work in the temple of their ownvolition. Nobody forced them to do that.
The soldiers interrogated one Iner Bap (father of Ina) fromKorollyachari village, who also came to the temple to complete his ownshare of the work.Army personnel have continued their presence at the temple area tillthe writing of this report at 4:30 p.m.
Some Bengali settlers accompanied the army to the temple today. Theyare believed to have surveyed the area nearby the temple forencroachment.
One and a half months ago, the settlers from Maischari, Noonchari andKiang-ghat cluster villages made attempts to capture these lands.
The settlers have already taken away hundreds of acres of landbelonging to the Jumma people in Maischari and its nearby areas withdirect assistance from the army.
Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 01/2008, January 04, 2008
A group of ten army personnel from Bizitola camp arrived at SarnathArannyo Kuthir temple at about 1:30 p.m. and ordered the devotees tostop the uplift work they had been doing for the last two months.
They also briefly detained Aungjyo Karbari, the village head ofKorngjyo Karbari Para and interrogated him about the temple work.
About 50 Jumma men and women from Choudhury Para village were workingwhen the army personnel came there.
Earlier in the morning, another group of army men from Kiang-ghat camphad visited the temple but said nothing to the devotees.
Hundreds of Buddhist devotees from nearby villages such asKarallyachari, Jadugonala, Rangapanichara, Mubachari, Sabgujya,Manikchari, Bolipara, Bachchupara, Magistrate Para and Choudhury parahave been working daily for the uplift of the temple. The workconsists mainly of leveling the ground, constructing a dining hall andliving rooms for the monks.
The army said such activities cannot be carried out without priorpermission of the Mahalchari Thana administration.
HARASSMENT
As we prepare this report, the HWHRF representative stationed in thearea informed that the army personnel from Kiang-ghat camp reappearedat the temple in the morning today and briefly detained four Jummateenagers who had stayed in the temple last night to perform theirshare of the temple duties - mainly to prepare breakfast for the monksearly in the morning.
The soldiers ordered them to sit on a bench for a group photograph,but the boys felt offended and refused to comply.
This enraged the soldiers who held them there and refused to allowthem to go back to their homes.
Later, groups of women and their guardians came to the temple and tookthem out ignoring army's order.
The teenagers have been identified as 1. Bablu Chakma s/o Samal Chakma, student of class nine in Buddha Shishu Ghar School; 2. MitonChakma (14) a student of class nine in Naniachari school; 3. EltuChakma (16) s/o Ulong Chakma, a candidate for Secondary School Certificate; and 4. Nandan Chakma (14) s/o Jibo Moy Chakma.
Meanwhile, despite military presence, groups of Jumma villagers keptcoming to the temple. But the army ordered them not to carry on theuplift work.
The soldiers asked them whether they came there under UPDF'sinstruction. They replied they came to work in the temple of their ownvolition. Nobody forced them to do that.
The soldiers interrogated one Iner Bap (father of Ina) fromKorollyachari village, who also came to the temple to complete his ownshare of the work.Army personnel have continued their presence at the temple area tillthe writing of this report at 4:30 p.m.
Some Bengali settlers accompanied the army to the temple today. Theyare believed to have surveyed the area nearby the temple forencroachment.
One and a half months ago, the settlers from Maischari, Noonchari andKiang-ghat cluster villages made attempts to capture these lands.
The settlers have already taken away hundreds of acres of landbelonging to the Jumma people in Maischari and its nearby areas withdirect assistance from the army.
Hill Watch Human Rights Forum, NEWS No. 01/2008, January 04, 2008
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