Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Rats ate up Jum harvest in Bandarban

Countless hordes of rats have eaten up the Jum harvest of the indigenous Jumma people in Ruma, Thanchi and Roangchari Upazila of Bandarban district, says a news report published on Tuesday in the daily Suprabhat Bangladesh, a Bengali daily published from Chittagong.

The report has warned of an acute crisis of food in these areas. It said "this correspondent visited some of the indigenous villages in Ruma and witnessed the distressing picture of the Jum cultivators." Besides rat invasion, the wild bores were also responsible for the destruction of their Jum fields, it added.

Citing indigenous Jum cultivators in Ruma Upazila, the report said the assaults of the rats had increased after the last year's bamboo flowering in their area. "The indigenous Jumias (Jum cultivators) said one year's bamboo flowering leads to the massive growth of rat population for the next three years. After eating up the bamboo flowers, the rats carry out raids into the Jum fields and eat away the produces such as paddy, maize, potatoes and bananas."

Sadeq Hossain Chowdhury, the writer of the report, said the deluge of rats rendered the Jum cultivators of Ruma Sadar, Remakri-Prangsha, Paindu and Galengya Unions almost destitute. "Many had borrowed money at a higher rate of interest in the hope that they would be able to pay it back after Jum harvest. The local public representatives have expressed concern about their future." he said.

Quoting Jingsawm Lian Bawm, chairman of Remakri-Prangsha Union, he said "like in the preceding year, this year has also seen a rat invasion in his area. Added to this is the assault of wild bores in the Jum fields. Over three hundred Jumia families in his Union will face severe food crisis."

According to his report, some of the affected villages are Floppy Para, Chakkyong Para, Thindolthey Para, Kaleha Para, Thanarang Para, Nishi Para, Jonarang Para, Hlaching Para in Remakri-Prangsha Union; Namdui Para, Paleng Para, Paroi Para, Monguha Para, Aunglai Para, Laipung Headman Para, Tongreng Pra in Gelengya Union; Moyur Para, Bot-toli Para, Rumachar Para, Samakhal Para, Naitong Para, Arjun Para, Manglengraw Para, Thandajhiri Para, Kaudong Para, Bogamukh Para, Moyu Para in Ruma Sadar Union; and Sanakraw Para, Charagraw Para, Poli Prangsha Para and Kyathai Para in Paindu Union.

Citing Chingsanu Marma, Member of Ward No. 9 of Paindu Union, the report said "as a result of a rat invasion Jum harvests including ripen paddy and maize have been destroyed in a number of indigenous villages under his Union."

"The Karbari (village chief) of Pantol Para, Mr. Kolamaung, expressed concern that after one or two months many Jumia families will have to starve." the report added.

Quoting Kyoching Aung, the Karbari of Moyur Pra in Ruama Sadar and Kyoching Pru Marma, the Karbari of Rumachar Para, the report further said: "rats and wild bores made their assaults at the time of harvest and destroyed the Jum produce including ripen paddy and maize. The little they could save is barely enough for two-three months' consumption."

To be able to cultivate their Jums, many indigenous people borrowed money at a higher rate of interest from government as well as non-government organisations, the report said quoting local newsman Nurul Islam. "Deeply concerned about repayment of the loans, many of them have given in to frustration."

The report cited Ulhaching Marma, chairman of Ruma Sadar Union, and said: "As a result of a rat and wild bore invasion, many thousand families have lost their Jum harvest."

Mr. Marma expressed concern that the victim families are at a high risk of facing severe food crisis, the report said.

chtnews.com
News No. 153/2008, September 30, 2008

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Major Pele Released

Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma (55) popularly known as Major Pele was released from Khagarachari District jail on 25th instant after about16 months. He was arrested from his home on 5th May last year on charge of extortion. He was granted bail in this case but he was shown arrested and two murder cases have been filed against him. He got bail in the extortion case and a murder case. On the 25th instant the Chief Judicial Magistrate court, Khagarachari released him from the secomd murder case as the police has submitted FRT. The petioner has submitted an affidavit which has facilated his relaese from Khagarachari jail on the 25th instant.
Sources http://excombatants.blogspot.com/2008/09/pele-is-released.html

One Jumma youth tortured in Belaichari

On 23 September, a Jumma youth was arrested and subjected to inhuman torture during an army raid on the village of Down Nuopara in Belaichari, Rangamati district.

Reports said a group of army personnel led by Captain Tanvir of Merangchari camp conducted the raid at around noon on that day. The soldiers picked Hiro Chakma alias Ranjan (20) s/o Lakshmi Chakma up from their home, beat him up and then took him to the camp.

He was released the next day, on 24 September and went into hiding for fear of further harassment.

Our correspondent quoted his mother Shanti Devi Chakma, who herself was raped by army personnel last month, as saying that Hiro Chakma was taken to Dhupchari army camp and was subjected to inhuman physical torture.

"The army asked him about whereabouts of the UPDF members. He said he did not know except that the UPDF members come to our village once a week. After that, the army put a home-made gun into his hands and said 'will you help us arrest UPDF men, or you want us to send you to the Thana' (police station)? Hiro got scared, and agreed to help them arrest the UPDF members in the area. It is after this commitment that the army set him free." Shanti Devi Chakma was quoted as saying.

She said Hiro was so frightened that he would not stay in the village, and went into hiding, fearing further arrest. "He knows he will not be able to provide any information leading to the arrest of the UPDF men, and such a failure will certainly lead to his further arrest." she commented, adding "his father also got frightened and accompanied him."

Tanvir has earned notoriety for torturing innocent people after stripping them naked. In the last few months, he has made a number of raids into the village of Down Nuopara and other areas under Sakrachari Mouza No. 120 and tortured many innocent villagers.

On 4 August, Hiro Chakma's mother Shanti Devi Chakma (40) was gang-raped by a group of army soldiers during one such raid on the village. The same Captain Tanvir led the raid.

chtnews.com
News No. 152/2008, September 28, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

PCP marks National Education Day

The Hill Student's Council, better known by its Bengali acronym PCP, marked National Education Day on 17 September, calling upon the government to introduce ethnic people's languages in primary education system in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

To observe the Day, the PCP took out a procession and held a rally on Dhaka University campus.

The procession started at 11:30 am and paraded the arts faculty on the campus before holding the rally.

Held in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture and presided over by the PCP president Ricoh Chakma, the rally was addressed among others by Kyolaching Marma, central organising secretary of the PCP, Ms Kanica Dewan, organising secretary of the HWF, Samiul Alam Richi, president of Bangladesh Chattra Federation and Nurur Islam Shiplu, president of Biplobi Chattra Jubo Andolon.

The speakers were introduced by Aungyo Marma, General Secretary of the PCP.

The PCP president Ricoh Chakma in his speech said the successive governments of the country have not only neglected the cultures and languages of the ethnic Jumma people in the CHT, but also took measures to destroy them.

He said it is the responsibility of any democratic government to protect and promote the cultures and languages of the ethnic minorities, but unfortunately except Bangla no other languages have been recognized in the constitution of Bangladesh.

He called upon the government to accept his organisation's five-point demand relating to education and introduce primary education in ethnic people's languages in the CHT.

Ms Kanica Chakma urged all concerned including the government to stop airing on the TV and radio statements and remarks that show disrespect to the ethnic nationalities.

Kyolaching Marma said although Bangladesh is a multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-lingual country, the ethnic nationalities are not recognized in the constitution of Bangladesh. "Our languages are on the verge of extinction. Yet, the government has done noting to protect them." He also made a fervent plea to the government, print and electronic media to refrain from referring to the Jumma people as "Upajati" or tribe. He said such a reference is the most offensive to the ear of the Jumma people.

Nurur Islam Shiplu said the ruling classes of Bangladesh are ultra nationalist, and they are out to impose their own hegemonic policies upon other ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities of the country. He said there can be no national, linguistic and gender equality unless a progressive and revolutionary government is installed.

Samiul Alam Richi said side by side with the Bengali people, other ethnic peoples and nationalities also fought in the war of independence, but the ruling classes which usurped state power after independence refused to give recognition to their existence and tried to impose Bengali identity on them. "As a result, the Jumma people in the CHT had to take up arms and wage a guerrilla war to defend their rights." he said.

He said the CHT is far from peaceful and "the people are still being subjected to repression."

He supported the five-point demand of the PCP and urged the government to concede to these most fundamental demands.

chtnews.com
News No. 150/2008, September 19, 2008

Two Karbaris arrested in Ramgarh

Two Karbaris or village chiefs have been arrested in Ramgarh under Khagrachari district, sources said.

They have been identified as Kri Aung Marma (45) and Pajei Marma (45), chiefs of Kalapani and Tabalapara villages respectively.

They were arrested today at around 4:30 pm by army personnel from Batnatoli camp from the shop of Mong Kyo Marma at Kalapani.

No further details are available.

chtnews.com
News No. 149/2008, September 18, 2008

Bengali News paper killing of Ladu Muni Chakma

On Bengali News Paper killing of indigenous people Mr. Ladu Muni Chakma in Sajek, please find it click-
http://www.ukbengali.com/MainNews/MN2008/MN200809/MN20080915-Ladu-Monis-killers-move-freely.htm

Villager tortured in Belaichari

One Jumma villager in Belaichari of Rangamati district has been seriously wounded after army personnel tortured him. (Victim's photograph attached)

A belated report reaching from the area said on 4 August, Monday, at around 8 am a group of about 30 - 40 army soldiers led by captain Tanvir (8th Bengal), commander of Dhupchari camp, went to the house of Tonnyapu Tonchongya, 40, (s/o Kangchandra Tonchongya and mother's name Phulmoti Tonchongya) in Downpara.

Captain Tanvir demanded of him to give them a few chickens. When Mr. Tonchongya refused, the soldiers took him to Downpara Government Primary School premises, blind folded him and beat him up severely, resulting in the fracture of his right leg.

Thereafter, Tanvir forced the local village chief, Anil Chandra Tonchongya and Doctor Priya Dorshi to sign a statement stating that Mr. Tonnyapu Tonchongya got his leg fractured while running away.

chtnews.com
News No. 148/2008, September 14, 2008

PCP organises farewell and reception in Chittagong University

On 5 September 2008 Chittagong University (CU) unit of Hill Students' Council (PCP) organised a farewell to out-going students and reception to new students at Chittagong University campus. University teachers, students, guardians have participated in this programme. More than 150 out-going students and new comer students have taken part in all events of this programme. Chairman of CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu larma has graced the function as chief guest while Professor Gazi Saleh, Dean, Social Science Faculty of CU; Professor Hossain Kabir, Chair, Department of Public Administration; Mr. Sanjeeb Drong, General Secretary, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum and Mr. Mongsingneo Marma, President, PCP Central Committee were present as special guest. The whole programme was presided over by Mr. Palash Tanchangya, president, PCP, Chittagong University Unit and conducted by PCP, CU Unit secretary Mr. Avilash Chakma.

During discussion, the chief guest Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma said that students are the future of our nation. They have to face the challenges of modern age. That's why they have to study hard and gain knowledge through different curricular and extra curricular activities. He also explained the duties and responsibilities of students towards their respective communities. Mr. Larma urged the students not to forget the roots of own. The out-going students would contribute for their respective communities and new students would learn leadership skills during their university life which would let them to lead the nation in coming days, he added. He hoped that the university authority would consider the problems of indigenous students regarding seat in the hall and other concern.

In his speech Mr. Sanjeeb Drong said, Student should not think what the state have done for them rather think what he or she would do for the state. He expected the Jumma students and activists of PCP would take all necessary steps to establish their just rights. Professor Gazi Saleh and Professor Hossain Kabir said that they would do every possible way from their side to solve the problems of indigenous students. In this regard they needed cooperation from CHTRC.

It is mentionable that, during the same program in 2005, then VC of CU had given the ward that CU authority would provide land in campus if any authority of CHT would build dormitory for CHT indigenous students. Finally the CU students staged an attractive cultural show.

reported by- Kapaeeng Watch

Kapaeeng Watch news updated

One Jumma named Ladu Mani Chakma killed by Bengali settlers in Sajek

On 19 August 2008 one Jumma villager named Ladu Moni Chakma (50) s/o Kuji Kumar Chakma of Retkaba village of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district was killed by a group of Bengali settlers.

It is learnt that on that day around 10.00 p.m. a group of Bengali settlers led by Mohammad Ali encircled the house of Ladu Mani Chakma. Of them, three Bengali settlers, with their faces under cover, entered the house while the others remained outside. They caught Ladu Mani Chakma and brought out him from his home. Victim's wife Ms. Chikanpudi Chakma (alias Shanti Bala) (45) was also hit on her head with a knife when she tried to prevent Bengali settlers from bringing out her husband. Then Ladu Mani Chakma was taken into the place nearby his house where he was brutally chopped to death. Bengali settlers also tried to rape victim's daughter. But her mother Chikanpudi pulled her away. Soon after kidnapping her husband, Chikanpudi with my son and daughter fled into the forest.

Bengali settlers who entered the house were identified as Mohammad Ali (28) s/o Nachor Ali, Jahar Ali (24) s/o Achaniya Ali amd Nurul Alam (24) s/o Julfu Ali. It is also reported that at some distance, there were a few dozen army personnel providing protection to Bengali settlers.

The dead body of Ladu Mani Chakma was recovered from the place barely 50 yards from the army camp at Gangaram area. The military forces immediately seized the dead body and sent it to Khagrachari hospital. It is learnt that military forces had cordoned off the hospital during the postmortem and no Jumma was allowed to enter it.

It is also learnt that Chikanpudi Chakma filed a murder case against Bengali settlers including Mohammad Ali, Jahar Ali amd Nurul Alam with Baghaichari police station under Rangamati district. Police arrested Mohammad Ali, but other culprits including Jahar Ali amd Nurul Alam were not arrested. They were staying at Baghaihat bazaar openly and have been threatening Jumma villagers for severe actions.

This is the second incident committed within the 10 days after attack on Gangaram-duar area that was also committed by Bengali settlers on 9 August where 6 Jumma villagers including Hriday Ranjan Chakma were injured and their houses were looted. It is worth mentioning that on 20 April 2008 Bengali settlers burnt down 7 villagers in Sajek area in order to occupy lands of indigenous Jumma peoples.

Kapaeeng Watch news updated

One Jumma named Ladu Mani Chakma killed by Bengali settlers in Sajek

On 19 August 2008 one Jumma villager named Ladu Moni Chakma (50) s/o Kuji Kumar Chakma of Retkaba village of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district was killed by a group of Bengali settlers.

It is learnt that on that day around 10.00 p.m. a group of Bengali settlers led by Mohammad Ali encircled the house of Ladu Mani Chakma. Of them, three Bengali settlers, with their faces under cover, entered the house while the others remained outside. They caught Ladu Mani Chakma and brought out him from his home. Victim's wife Ms. Chikanpudi Chakma (alias Shanti Bala) (45) was also hit on her head with a knife when she tried to prevent Bengali settlers from bringing out her husband. Then Ladu Mani Chakma was taken into the place nearby his house where he was brutally chopped to death. Bengali settlers also tried to rape victim's daughter. But her mother Chikanpudi pulled her away. Soon after kidnapping her husband, Chikanpudi with my son and daughter fled into the forest.

Bengali settlers who entered the house were identified as Mohammad Ali (28) s/o Nachor Ali, Jahar Ali (24) s/o Achaniya Ali amd Nurul Alam (24) s/o Julfu Ali. It is also reported that at some distance, there were a few dozen army personnel providing protection to Bengali settlers.

The dead body of Ladu Mani Chakma was recovered from the place barely 50 yards from the army camp at Gangaram area. The military forces immediately seized the dead body and sent it to Khagrachari hospital. It is learnt that military forces had cordoned off the hospital during the postmortem and no Jumma was allowed to enter it.

It is also learnt that Chikanpudi Chakma filed a murder case against Bengali settlers including Mohammad Ali, Jahar Ali amd Nurul Alam with Baghaichari police station under Rangamati district. Police arrested Mohammad Ali, but other culprits including Jahar Ali amd Nurul Alam were not arrested. They were staying at Baghaihat bazaar openly and have been threatening Jumma villagers for severe actions.

This is the second incident committed within the 10 days after attack on Gangaram-duar area that was also committed by Bengali settlers on 9 August where 6 Jumma villagers including Hriday Ranjan Chakma were injured and their houses were looted. It is worth mentioning that on 20 April 2008 Bengali settlers burnt down 7 villagers in Sajek area in order to occupy lands of indigenous Jumma peoples.

Villager tortured in Belaichari


One Jumma villager in Belaichari of Rangamati district has been seriously wounded after army personnel tortured him. (Victim's photograph attached)

A belated report reaching from the area said on 4 August, Monday, at around 8 am a group of about 30 - 40 army soldiers led by captain Tanvir (8th Bengal), commander of Dhupchari camp, went to the house of Tonnyapu Tonchongya, 40, (s/o Kangchandra Tonchongya and mother's name Phulmoti Tonchongya) in Downpara.
[Pic-Tonnyapu Tonchongya]
Captain Tanvir demanded of him to give them a few chickens. When Mr. Tonchongya refused, the soldiers took him to Downpara Government Primary School premises, blind folded him and beat him up severely, resulting in the fracture of his right leg.

Thereafter, Tanvir forced the local village chief, Anil Chandra Tonchongya and Doctor Priya Dorshi to sign a statement stating that Mr. Tonnyapu Tonchongya got his leg fractured while running away.

chtnews.com
News No. 148/2008, September 14, 2008

Lord Avebury interview at Bengali daily Jugantor

Lord Avebury interview at Bengali daily Jugantor:-

http://www.jugantor.com/web/content/2008/09/10/news0206.htm

Army arrests ex-PCP member in Manikchari

One ex-member of the Hill Students Council, better known by its Bengali acronym PCP, and another villager have been arrested in Manikchari under Khagrachari district.

Sources said a group of army personnel from Batnatoli camp raided the house of Apru Marma, 26, ex-president of PCP Manikchari unit, in the village of Batnatoli at midnight last night and took him to the camp.

The soldiers also raided two houses in Toblapara village and arrested Joy Singh Marma, 24. He was taken to the camp along with Apru Marma.

The army personnel then searched for Memong Marma in his house and molested his wife Ms Arema Marma, 30, after failing to find him there.

Both Apru Marma and Joy Singh Marma were severely tortured in the camp. However, Joy Singh Marma was released in the morning.

chtnews.com
News No. 146/2008, September 10, 2008