Kapaeeng Watch News Release: 8 July 2008

PCJSS leaders deliberately charged with murder case in Bandarban

On 27 June 2008 the local leaders of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samiti (PCJSS), a political party of indigenous Jumma peoples in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), south-eastern part of Bangladesh, were purposely charged with murder case in Bandarban district following the killing of the Priya Tanchangya.

It is learnt that Priya Tanchangya, a businessman and allegedly source of military forces was shot death at around 1.30 a.m. on 27 June at his house of Ghanau Para of Kuhalong union under Bandarban sadar upazila by a group of armed miscreants. No sooner of the incident, joint forces led by army conducted searching operation at no. 3 Rubber Bagan area, two kilometers away from the spot. In this operation, 7 innocent Jumma villagers were arrested and brutally tortured by military forces. Among the arrested villagers, following persons were identified as:

1. Joy Moni Tanchangya (40) s/o Merikya Tanchangya;
2. Sneha Kumar Tanchangya (22)
3. Rupan Tanchangya (19) s/o Sharat Kumar Tanchangya.

Among them, Joy Moni Tanchangya was produced before district judicial magistrate court on 28 June. He was placed 5-days police remand. The other arrested are still missing. It is also learnt that on that night the joint forces also conducted operation at no.1 and no. 2 Rubber Bagan areas from where 17 innocent Jumma villagers were also arrested, but released later after inhumanly beating.

A murder case against Rajan Chakma (40) and 20/25 unknown persons was filed with Bandarban police station by the deceased wife on 27 June. In the deposition of the case, she charged local PCJSS leaders of Bandarban district including assistant general secretary of central committee and also member of CHT Regional Council K S Mong, president of Bandarban district committee and also member of CHT Regional Council Sadhuram Tripura and leader of Rowangchari upazila branch Shambu Kumar Tanchangya to have been involved with this killing. PCJSS leaders of Bandarban district denied to have involved with this incident. They also claimed that charging them with this incident is nothing but politically motivated.

Workshop on indigenous peoples and PRSP held by CIPRAD in Mymensingh

On 4 July 2008 Centre for Indigenous People's Research and Development (CIPRAD), an NGO, working to uphold rights of indigenous people organised a workshop titled 'Plain Land Indigenous Peoples' Rights and PRSP: Strategic Advocacy' at CARITAS auditorium in Dhaka with Chairman of Tribal Welfare Association (TWA) Advocate Promod Mankin in the chair.

Speakers of the workshop demanded to the government to set up a separate ministry for indigenous people of plain lands to uphold their rights. Speakers said indigenous people of plain land outnumbered their brothers in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) by four times. Still then the people of CHT are enjoying more facilities than indigenous people of plain land, they said. The government should take steps to set up a separate ministry titled, 'Ministry for Plain Land Adivasis,' for upholding their rights, speakers said.

GOC of 24th infantry division calls on CHTRC chairman

On 7 July 2008 General Commanding Officer (GOC) of 24th Infantry Division of Chittagong Cantonment Major General Mohammad Shamim Chowdhury called on Chairman of CHT Regional Council Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma at his office in Rangamati district of CHT. Sources said it is a courtesy visit after his appointment as GOC of 24th Infantry Division in last June.

Sources also reported that Mr. Larma raised the issues of implementation of CHT Accord and execution of CHTRC and HDC Acts for establishment of good governance and rule of law and holding free, fair and accepted election in CHT.