Army harassment of Buddhist monks leads to public resentment: two arrested

chtnews.com
News No. 38/2009, May 21, 2009

Two members of the Hill Women’s Federation have been arrested while they were returning from a rally held in protest against harassment of a group of Buddhist monks at Bogachari under Naniachar Upazila of Rangamati district.

Sources from Rangamati said Ven. Bishuddhananda Mahathero, chief priest of Ratnankur Bana Vihara, and his fellow monks and novices were returning to their temple in Naniachar after attending a religious event in the village of Tarachari in Hengelchari area this morning.

When they reached Bogachari army check post at around 10:30am, the jeep carrying them was halted, and they were ordered to get down to allow the soldiers to carry out searches.

“The army wanted to check our vehicle and asked us to get down. However, I refused to obey their order, although all others in the vehicle got down reluctantly.” Ven. Bishuddhananda told chtnews.com by phone from Naniachar.

“I told the army that the jeep belongs to a Buddhist temple, and so there is no need to check it” he added.

But the on-duty army officer, Captain Shamim, was not ready to see his order being disobeyed.

He flung abusive languages at Ven. Bishuddhananda Mahathero and tried to intimidate him. At his order, a group of army personnel came down to the scene with clubs and ropes in their hands. But the Bhante (monk) remained calm and peaceful, and refused to be daunted.

One and half hours later the Second-in-Command of Naniachar zone rushed there and asked for forgiveness from the Bhante for the mistake committed by overbearing Captain Shamim.

Protest and arrest
The news of the harassment of the Buddhist monks spread quickly, and people in Naniachar took out processions and held a protest rally instantly.

They condemned the harassment of Buddhist monks who have renounced their worldly life and been seeking Nibbana or supreme bliss.

However, the army arrested two of the participants – Ms Juthika Chakma, convenor of HWF’s Naniachar Unit, and Ms Mika Chakma, a member of HWF – while they were returning from the rally.

Latest: released
Latest reports said the army took the girls to the zone headquarters, forced them to put their signature on a blank sheet of paper, took their photographs and then set them free.