Jumma Peoples Network UK

Six Jumma men and one Jumma woman were shot dead by the Army as they opened fire on them during clashes between Jummas and Bangali settlers in Baghaichhari upazilla of Rangamati hill district of Bangladesh. one Army personnel was injured when the frenzied indigenous people chopped him with sharp machetes.

Four dead persons name have been confirmed by reliable sources (but still checking and will be updated soon we received further news). They are Laxmipoti Chakma, Didendra Chakma, Natonjoy Chakma, Shanto Chakma. Many other Jummas have been injured.

About five indigenous villages consisting of 300 houses were burnt to ashes by Bengali settlers assisted with the security forces .

The incident was started on Friday night as a group of Bangali settlers attacked indigenous people of Gongaram Mukh area over a land dispute. Since then settlers have started setting the homes including Buddhist temples & Christian churches on fire. Sources said hundred of houses have been burnt to ashes including 3 temples and a church.

Bangladesh army has resumed the burning down of the indigenous Jumma houses at 6am and opened fire killing 7 Jummas and injuring many others.

Local administration imposed Section 144 today (Saturday).

Thousand of indigenous people have fled to the jungle to save their lives.

Background:
Since the beginning of January 2010, illegal Bangali settlers with the support of Bangladesh army posted at Baghaihat zone under Rangamati district resumed expansion of their illegal settlement into the villages of the Jumma people.


Lal Amlai
Spokesperson
Jumma Peoples Network UK
www.jpnuk.org.uk
email: jpn_uk@hotmail.com