Settlers attempt another attack in Marishya

chtnews.com
News No. 91/2008, May 29, 2008

On 25 May, the illegal setters attempted to use the death of one Abul Hossain (15) to launch a communal attack on Jumma villages in Baghaichari under Rangamati district.

Prothom Alo, a Bengali daily, reported on 28 May that Abul Hossain s/o Mohammad Abu Taher went to the lake water to catch fish on Saturday morning. The following day in the afternoon his dead body was recovered.

However, an NGO activist working in the area told chtnews.com on condition of anonymity that Abul Hossain actually drowned in the water, but his dead body was secretly kept at a place near Sarbotoli village of the Jumma people. "A section of the settlers then whipped up communal sentiment among the Bengalis over the boy's death and tried to mount an attack on Jumma villages in Sarbotoli and Sizok Dore. This happened on the night of 25 May." he said.

He said the Jummas also organised themselves to repulse the attack and the battle cry "Ujo" reverberated throughout 40 to 50 Jumma villages in the area - from Sarbotoli to Tuloban. "Because of this and because of lack of support from the army, the settlers dared not attack" he said adding "otherwise there would have been another communal attack".

"This also goes to prove that the settlers cannot attack Jumma villages without support from the army. Army's support is crucial" he commented further.