BISAC holds demonstration

BISAC holds demonstration against arson attack on indigenous villages by Bengali settlers in CHT

On 23 April 2008 a demonstration against arson attack on 7 indigenous villages in remote Sajek area was organised by Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad (Bangladesh Indigenous Students Action Council – BISAC) at Dhaka University (DU) campus where more than two hundred students attended. At 11.00 a procession was brought from 'Aparajeya Bangla' of DU campus and ended circumambulating arts building of the campus. Then protest meeting was held with Mr. Karunamoy Chakma, President of BISAF in the chair at 'Aparajeya Bangla'.

Representatives of different indigenous students' organizations, namely, Hill Students Council (PCP), Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan (Bagachas), Santal Students Union, Bangladesh Marma Students' Council (BMSC), Bangladesh Chatra Federation, Bangladesh Hajong Students Sangathan etc. participate in the demonstration. Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department of DU Mr. Robayet Ferdaus and Associate Professor of Department of Linguistic of Dhaka University Dr. Saurov Shikdar were also present there and expressed their solidarity with students protest.

It is mentionable that newly infiltrated Bengali settlers with the direct support of Bangladesh military forces attacked on the 7 villages of indigenous Jumma peoples throughout the 4 kilometre long area from Nursery Para to Gangaram Mukh areas of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) on 20 April 2008 at mid-night. More than 100 houses of indigenous villagers were burnt to ashes. Bengali settlers beat the Jumma villagers including women and children indiscriminately and looted valuables of the houses during the attack that lasted for almost 4 hours from 9.30 p.m.

Student leaders condemned the arson attack in Sajek terming it as barbaric attack against humanity. They demanded exemplary punishment to the persons responsible, compensation for affected indigenous families and immediate withdrawal of Bengali settler families from Sajek area.

At the beginning of the program Sohel Hajong, General Secretary of BISAC demanded to stop rampant land grabbing by Bengali settlers and eviction of indigenous people from their homeland. He said that demonstration would be carried till the exploitation and repression against the indigenous people is stopped. He demanded to rehabilitate Bengali settlers outside CHT with dignity.

Mr. Pintu Haui of Bangladesh Garo Chatra Songothon (Bagachas) said that this arson attack is nothing but a blueprint to alienate the indigenous people from their own land outlined by the army. He expressed solidarity with the hill people's fight. He threatened to declare hard programme if the indigenous people have been given to live peacefully in their homeland.

Central General Secretary of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) (Hill Students Council) Mr. Hiran Mitra Chakma threatened that the situation of CHT is very vulnerable. In such situation no one in CHT can stay at home. He urged to the government to bring culprits to justice.

Santal Students Union's representative Mr. Bernard demanded to conduct impartial inquiry to the inhuman incident otherwise Caretaker Government would be controversial.

Mr. Aungyajai Marma of Bangladesh Marma Students' Council (BMSC) expressed his solidarity and urged the indigenous students to be prepared to launch movement against any kind of inhuman atrocities. He added that the land of the indigenous people is being grabbed in the name of establishment of cantonment. He asked to the students to choose "Either freedom or death."

Mr. Shamsujjoha of Bangladesh Chatra Federation expressed his solidarity with the indigenous students. He urged the government to resolve land disputes in CHT by reactivating Land Commission as per CHT Peace Accord.

In his closing speech Mr. Karunamoy Chakma, President of BISAC announced the ends of the programme saying that the students should take preparation for greater movement for achieving the just rights of indigenous peoples.

At the beginning of the demonstration, Mr. Lutherson Zetra, Organizing Secretary of BISAC read out a leaflet circulated by the BISAC on arson attack in Sajek in which they demanded proper compensation for the victims and withdrawal of Bengali settler families from Sajek area.

Follow-up programme

Today (24 April) demonstration against the arson attack on indigenous peoples in Sajek was also held in Jahangirnagar University campus (Savar, Dhaka) and Chittagong University campus by Hill Students Council (PCP).