DYF demands complete troop pull-out

chtnews.com
News No. 92/2009, August 2, 2009
“Only a complete pull-out of troops from the Chittagong Hill Tracts can bring peace and stability in the area”.

This was stated by Mithun Chakma, General Secretary of the Democratic Youth Forum, while addressing as chief guest at a conference of its activists in Balaghata of southern CHT of Bandarban on 1 August.

Mithun Chakma said although the ultra rightist elements are raising a hue and cry over the government decision to pull back one army brigade out of five deployed in CHT, this is only a meagre step compared to the demands of the Jumma people.

“There will be no genuine peace unless there is a complete pull out of troops from the CHT who are being used as a tool of ethnic cleansing against, and of maintaining domination over, the Jumma people,” he added.

He also criticized the army for its role in instigating the settlers to grab land from the Jumma people.

Presided by Bikram Tonchongya, the conference was also addressed by UPDF Bandarban coordinator, Choton Kanti Tonchongya and DYF Organising Secretary Michael Chakma.

Choton Kanti said the Jumma people have been pushed to the wall long ago. “There is no other alternative than to fight back. We cannot sit idle when our lands are being taken away by the illegal settlers.” he added.

He urged the government to stop the process of acquiring 7570 acres of land belonging to the Murung nationality in Ruma.

“The ongoing attempt of the army to uproot thousands of Murung families in the name of expansion of Ruma garrison must be stopped” he said, adding: “We will not accept such gross injustices lying down any more.”

Michael Chakma said the entire government and state apparatus is biased against the Jummas. “The government is only serving the interest of the outsiders,” he added.

He termed the partial troop withdrawal announcement as eyewash and demanded that the government pull back the entire troops from the CHT.