chtnews.com
News No. 26/2010, February 17, 2010
As tensions between Jummas and Bengali settlers continue to mount in Sajek, Jumma women, particularly those living beside Bengali settlements and military and para-military posts, feel insecurity both at homes as well as at work.
Last night all the villagers of Hazachara had to come forward in aid of a Jumma housewife who had run away from her home to save herself from the marauding settlers.
According to sources, around 9PM a group of settlers and members of para military Ansar went to the house of Sushil Chakma, a Jum cultivator. He was not at home – away to Reserve Forest for bamboo-cutting – and his wife Chander Mala Chakma (35) was just in bed with her five young children when she heard the footsteps of the stalkers.
Sensing that they had bad intentions, she silently ran out of the house through a hole of the ramshackle bamboo wall, and so did her children.
After going a few distances, she gave a loud shout and called for help.
Hearing this, the villagers also gave shouts in chorus as a way of support and rushed to her and rescued her.
Chander Mala’s house is located within 250 yards of Baghaihat zone, and there is an Ansar post near her house.
One Jumma woman in Sajek described their lives as hell and said: “There is no security here and many villagers had to keep their young girls with their relatives in other areas.”
She admitted, however, that after the revolts of the Jumma women the army had to reduce their movements.
“But still there is no safety and security, because you do not know when they will come and raid our homes and arrest our husbands and sons.” she said.
She also alleged that the army is instigating the settlers to “grab our lands” and pick up quarrels with us.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tense in Sajek: settlers attempt to kidnap one
chtnews.com
News No. 25/2010, February 16, 2010
Tensions between Jummas and Bengali settlers have heightened in Sajek in Rangamati district as a group of settlers made an attempt to kidnap a Jumma businessman at Gangaram Doar of the area.
Sources said Abhilash Chakma, a resident of Talukderpara in Marishya and a businessman, was stopped by a group of settlers at Gangaram Doar in Sajek at 11.45am today.
He was on his way to Mazolong on business from Marishya on a motorbike.
The settlers roughed him up, took his motorbike away and tried to kidnap him. However, the nearby Jumma villagers rushed there and rescued him.
After protests, the settlers were forced to return his motorbike few minutes later.
Tensions have been prevailing in Sajek between Jumma people and illegal Bengali settlers for the last few days over a host of issues including land grabbing.
The Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January to press their demand for putting an end to illegal land grabbing and withdrawal of the army and settlers from the area.
They allege that the army is responsible for repressing innocent Jumma villagers and instigating settlers to grab their lands.
News No. 25/2010, February 16, 2010
Tensions between Jummas and Bengali settlers have heightened in Sajek in Rangamati district as a group of settlers made an attempt to kidnap a Jumma businessman at Gangaram Doar of the area.
Sources said Abhilash Chakma, a resident of Talukderpara in Marishya and a businessman, was stopped by a group of settlers at Gangaram Doar in Sajek at 11.45am today.
He was on his way to Mazolong on business from Marishya on a motorbike.
The settlers roughed him up, took his motorbike away and tried to kidnap him. However, the nearby Jumma villagers rushed there and rescued him.
After protests, the settlers were forced to return his motorbike few minutes later.
Tensions have been prevailing in Sajek between Jumma people and illegal Bengali settlers for the last few days over a host of issues including land grabbing.
The Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January to press their demand for putting an end to illegal land grabbing and withdrawal of the army and settlers from the area.
They allege that the army is responsible for repressing innocent Jumma villagers and instigating settlers to grab their lands.
JSS Santu faction kidnaps one in Jurachari
chtnews.com
News No. 24/2010, February 14, 2010
The armed Jana Samhati Samiti militants (Santu faction) have kidnapped a supporter of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) in Jurahcari in Rangamati district, sources say.
The incident took place yesterday about 7:30pm. According to an independent source, a group of about 15 Santu loyalists led by Hridoy Kumar Chakma (60), Promesh Chakma and Joti Chakma abducted Kalpa Ranjan Chakma (35) son of Ram Chakma from his home in the village of Daney Panchari under Jurachari Sadar Union.
The JSS men were armed with automatic weapons and aggressive in their behaviour.
Kalpa Ranjan Chakma is the president of the Village Committee in his village and actively supports the United Peoples Democratic Front.
One of the kidnappers, Hridoy Kumra Chakma, is an accused in a murder case and is now on bail.
The JSS members also beat up five other villagers for providing support to the UPDF, which has become the leading party championing the cause of the Jumma people, routing the JSS from most of the areas held by it earlier.
The victims have been identified as Shankar Chakma (35) son of Debendra Chakma, his wife Maharani Chakma, his son Sorit Chakma, Birongo Chakma (33) son of Shashi Moni Chakma and Balaram Chakma (30) son of Ananda Kumar Chakma.
Shanti Dev Chakma, UPDF’s Rangamati District Unit Organiser, condemned the kidnapping as cowardice and urged Santu Larma to shun violence and come to the negotiating table.
“These kinds of violence only serve the interest of the oppressors of the Jumma people and should be condemned by all those who claim to support the cause of the Jumma people.” he said in a telephone interview with chtnews.com.
He also urged the Santu loyalists not to harm Kalpa Ranjan Chakma and release him immediately.
News No. 24/2010, February 14, 2010
The armed Jana Samhati Samiti militants (Santu faction) have kidnapped a supporter of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) in Jurahcari in Rangamati district, sources say.
The incident took place yesterday about 7:30pm. According to an independent source, a group of about 15 Santu loyalists led by Hridoy Kumar Chakma (60), Promesh Chakma and Joti Chakma abducted Kalpa Ranjan Chakma (35) son of Ram Chakma from his home in the village of Daney Panchari under Jurachari Sadar Union.
The JSS men were armed with automatic weapons and aggressive in their behaviour.
Kalpa Ranjan Chakma is the president of the Village Committee in his village and actively supports the United Peoples Democratic Front.
One of the kidnappers, Hridoy Kumra Chakma, is an accused in a murder case and is now on bail.
The JSS members also beat up five other villagers for providing support to the UPDF, which has become the leading party championing the cause of the Jumma people, routing the JSS from most of the areas held by it earlier.
The victims have been identified as Shankar Chakma (35) son of Debendra Chakma, his wife Maharani Chakma, his son Sorit Chakma, Birongo Chakma (33) son of Shashi Moni Chakma and Balaram Chakma (30) son of Ananda Kumar Chakma.
Shanti Dev Chakma, UPDF’s Rangamati District Unit Organiser, condemned the kidnapping as cowardice and urged Santu Larma to shun violence and come to the negotiating table.
“These kinds of violence only serve the interest of the oppressors of the Jumma people and should be condemned by all those who claim to support the cause of the Jumma people.” he said in a telephone interview with chtnews.com.
He also urged the Santu loyalists not to harm Kalpa Ranjan Chakma and release him immediately.
Human chain against land grabbing in Bandarban
chtnews.com
News No. 23/2010, February 11, 2010
The Bangladesh Tripura Christian Students’ Association and Sadharan Tripura Janagoshti (Common Tripura People) formed a human chain Wednesday, yesterday, in front of Bandarban Press Club against attempts at land grabbing in Tonkabati Union.
They demanded arrest and trial of those responsible for the attack on the villagers of Jotram Karbari Para and the burning down of a house.
BTCSA President Naha Tripura said a total of 25 Tripura families with Jotram Tripura as their chief were rehabilitated by Forest Department under Tonkabati Union (No. 310) in 1985-86. Each of these families was given 5 acres of land – 4.5 acres for horticulture and .5 acre for homestead.
“The settlers are now trying to evict these poor families and grab their lands” he alleged.
On 2 February, a group of settlers led by Nasir Uddin attacked the Jumma villagers with dao (a kind of knife), stick and seesaw and torched a house.
Daity Tripura, Goyonganti Tripura, Terun Tripura, Michael Tripura and Hastaram Tripura were seriously injured in the attack.
News No. 23/2010, February 11, 2010
The Bangladesh Tripura Christian Students’ Association and Sadharan Tripura Janagoshti (Common Tripura People) formed a human chain Wednesday, yesterday, in front of Bandarban Press Club against attempts at land grabbing in Tonkabati Union.
They demanded arrest and trial of those responsible for the attack on the villagers of Jotram Karbari Para and the burning down of a house.
BTCSA President Naha Tripura said a total of 25 Tripura families with Jotram Tripura as their chief were rehabilitated by Forest Department under Tonkabati Union (No. 310) in 1985-86. Each of these families was given 5 acres of land – 4.5 acres for horticulture and .5 acre for homestead.
“The settlers are now trying to evict these poor families and grab their lands” he alleged.
On 2 February, a group of settlers led by Nasir Uddin attacked the Jumma villagers with dao (a kind of knife), stick and seesaw and torched a house.
Daity Tripura, Goyonganti Tripura, Terun Tripura, Michael Tripura and Hastaram Tripura were seriously injured in the attack.
Rally against repression and land grabbing held in Chittagong
chtnews.com
News No. 22/2010, February 05, 2010
The government has been urged to end all forms of repression on Jumma people and stop land grabbing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The demand was made at a rally organised by Sacheton Jubo Samaj (Conscious Youth Society) in Chittagong today at 4pm.
Held in front of Chittagong Press Club with Enjoy Chakma, president of SJS, in the chair, the rally was addressed, among others, by professor Hossain Khan, Maruf Hossain Rumi, Biplob, Jibon, Aungshupru, Legal Chakma and Mong Sajai Marma.
The speaker said twelve years have passed since the CHT accord was signed, but repression on Jumma people still continues unabated and land grabbing has become a serious threat to the existence of the ethnic minorities.
“The military is still there, and they continue to violate the rights of the Jumma people.” Enjoy said.
The speakers criticized the construction of “Swargachura Tourist Centre” in Bandarban on land belonging to a private individual and urged the government to stop it.
They urged the government to end all forms of repression against Jumma people, stop land grabbing and withdraw the army and settlers from CHT.
The rally was followed by a procession which ended at Shahid Minar.
Jitesh Chakma, a SJS activist, told chtnews.com that the Santu Larma supporters had prevented many Jummas living in Bandar area of Chittagong from participating in the rally.
“Many of our supporters as well as common people could not join us in the rally because of the threats of the JSS (Santu faction)” he said adding: “They (JSS Santu group) have become a real problem in our struggle; they would not do the struggle themselves and when others do, they would create obstacles. This must end.”
News No. 22/2010, February 05, 2010
The government has been urged to end all forms of repression on Jumma people and stop land grabbing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The demand was made at a rally organised by Sacheton Jubo Samaj (Conscious Youth Society) in Chittagong today at 4pm.
Held in front of Chittagong Press Club with Enjoy Chakma, president of SJS, in the chair, the rally was addressed, among others, by professor Hossain Khan, Maruf Hossain Rumi, Biplob, Jibon, Aungshupru, Legal Chakma and Mong Sajai Marma.
The speaker said twelve years have passed since the CHT accord was signed, but repression on Jumma people still continues unabated and land grabbing has become a serious threat to the existence of the ethnic minorities.
“The military is still there, and they continue to violate the rights of the Jumma people.” Enjoy said.
The speakers criticized the construction of “Swargachura Tourist Centre” in Bandarban on land belonging to a private individual and urged the government to stop it.
They urged the government to end all forms of repression against Jumma people, stop land grabbing and withdraw the army and settlers from CHT.
The rally was followed by a procession which ended at Shahid Minar.
Jitesh Chakma, a SJS activist, told chtnews.com that the Santu Larma supporters had prevented many Jummas living in Bandar area of Chittagong from participating in the rally.
“Many of our supporters as well as common people could not join us in the rally because of the threats of the JSS (Santu faction)” he said adding: “They (JSS Santu group) have become a real problem in our struggle; they would not do the struggle themselves and when others do, they would create obstacles. This must end.”
One detained by army in Dighinala
chtnews.com
News No. 21/2010, February 05, 2010
A Jumma villager has been detained in an army camp in Dighinala in Khagrachari district, UPDF sources say.
The incident occurred at 1:30pm today when Bengua Chakma (30) son of Krishna Shashi Chakma protested at the damage caused to his tobacco field by the widening of a road leading to Parbati Para army camp near Ketrangchara in Babuchara.
Bengua Chakma has been detained in that army camp.
The road from Meinie river to the camp – the length of which is about 4/5 kilometers – is being reconstructed by Massud Rana, chairman of Boalkhali Union Council, without a formal project approval.
“This proves that the army has no intention to leave the CHT.” said Natun Kumar Chakma, a UPDF leader in Dighinala.
He condemned the illegal detention of Bengua Chakma and urged the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.
News No. 21/2010, February 05, 2010
A Jumma villager has been detained in an army camp in Dighinala in Khagrachari district, UPDF sources say.
The incident occurred at 1:30pm today when Bengua Chakma (30) son of Krishna Shashi Chakma protested at the damage caused to his tobacco field by the widening of a road leading to Parbati Para army camp near Ketrangchara in Babuchara.
Bengua Chakma has been detained in that army camp.
The road from Meinie river to the camp – the length of which is about 4/5 kilometers – is being reconstructed by Massud Rana, chairman of Boalkhali Union Council, without a formal project approval.
“This proves that the army has no intention to leave the CHT.” said Natun Kumar Chakma, a UPDF leader in Dighinala.
He condemned the illegal detention of Bengua Chakma and urged the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.
A second Kaptai dam?
Kabita Chakma THE news heading "Another Kaptai dam for power
generation: Govt seeks US help," reported in The Daily Star, on Friday
January 22, made me consciously question: Am I reading this correctly?
Is it a hoax or a mistake? Or is it a joke?
The story that followed was: "The government sought assistance from
the USA in power sector for building another Kaptai dam for doubling
hydropower generation from the lake waters in Rangamati hill
district."
Questions arise immediately: Why hasn't there been any information on
this in any news media? Why haven't local communities been informed
about such a large project?
Shortly after the news was released, phone calls, e-mails, poured in
from many Jumma and some non-Jumma expressing grave concerns:
"Another dam in CHT ? Using US money at the expense of Jumma land? Who
knows how much Jumma land will be grabbed and then the power will be
used to run factories in the plain land?"
"I wonder whether the state minister for environment had any
consultation with the people of CHT before requesting for help to US
government?"
"If this proposal for a second Kaptai dam is a serious proposal -- it
seems so preposterous, I still have trouble believing the government
would propose such a thing."
"The last dam cost us very very dearly."
"We should act immediately before its too late."
We have since learnt that even local institutions, like the Rangamati
District Council and the CHT Regional Council, are looking for
information on the project proposal. It has been confirmed that not a
line was ever published about the project until the government sought
financial assistance from the US on January 22.
Does the government really believe that another Kaptai dam is a
justified, viable, sustainable development proposal?
If the government believes in another Kaptai dam project, why has the
government been clandestine about the project? Why hasn't the
government discussed the project with either the locals or their
representatives? Why hasn't the government discussed the project in
any public forum?
The Bangladesh government, as a democratic constituency, has an
obligation to inform its own people about any project, which will
affect them directly. In turn, its people have the right to know what
will happen to them, to their homesteads, farms, woods, lives and
livelihoods if another lake is created for doubling of electricity
production.
There are now more questions than answers, more distrust than trust in
the government. One key question arises: is this another act of
treachery against the indigenous Jumma of CHT by its own government?
Our memory of the existing Kaptai dam, built in the 1960s with the
assistance of USAID, without public information and local
consultation, has not been erased from Jumma's collective memory. It
continues to haunt thousands of Jummas of different generations.
It made 100,000 people (more than a quarter of the Jumma population)
homeless and jobless. It destroyed 40 per cent of the most valuable
agricultural land of the CHT. It also triggered over two decades of
undeclared war.
There remain ongoing issues regarding the economic injustices against
the hill people as an outcome of the inequitable sharing of
electricity from the first Kaptai dam. Only a tiny amount of the
promised compensation for the first dam was ever delivered and even
today, about 50 years later, nearly 95 per cent of the electricity
produced by the Kaptai dam is used for the development of the plains,
not the CHT where the electricity is produced. Hence, there is a
substantial economic debt owed to the peoples of the CHT by the state.
For the near 50 years of the existence of the Kaptai dam the CHT has
suffered from a lack of electrical power. One would justifiably think
that CHT should have the first priority of use of the electricity of
the Kaptai dam and the surplus should go to the national grid. But
instead, electricity produced by the Kaptai dam is delivered directly
to the national grid, while electricity is returned to CHT only
through Hathazari, a station at Chittagong district.
A respectful relationship between the CHT people and the state will
remain difficult without addressing the existing economic injustices
involved in the unfair distribution of electricity production.
Depriving the CHT of benefit of the electricity can only exacerbate
the injustices against the CHT people.
If there were ever to be another dam in the CHT, two steps seem necessary:
Firstly the financial, moral and ethical injustices that arose from
the first dam be made good.
Secondly, the local people, their institutions and representatives
must be substantially (not tokenistically) involved in the inception,
planning, decision-making levels of the project and in its delivery
and in maintenance.
Kabita Chakma, formally trained as an architect, is the Coordinator of
CHT Jumma Peoples Network of the Asia Pacific. She is also a writer
and has published her work in diverse areas, including human rights,
environment, literature and architecture.
The Daily Star, February 4, 2010
generation: Govt seeks US help," reported in The Daily Star, on Friday
January 22, made me consciously question: Am I reading this correctly?
Is it a hoax or a mistake? Or is it a joke?
The story that followed was: "The government sought assistance from
the USA in power sector for building another Kaptai dam for doubling
hydropower generation from the lake waters in Rangamati hill
district."
Questions arise immediately: Why hasn't there been any information on
this in any news media? Why haven't local communities been informed
about such a large project?
Shortly after the news was released, phone calls, e-mails, poured in
from many Jumma and some non-Jumma expressing grave concerns:
"Another dam in CHT ? Using US money at the expense of Jumma land? Who
knows how much Jumma land will be grabbed and then the power will be
used to run factories in the plain land?"
"I wonder whether the state minister for environment had any
consultation with the people of CHT before requesting for help to US
government?"
"If this proposal for a second Kaptai dam is a serious proposal -- it
seems so preposterous, I still have trouble believing the government
would propose such a thing."
"The last dam cost us very very dearly."
"We should act immediately before its too late."
We have since learnt that even local institutions, like the Rangamati
District Council and the CHT Regional Council, are looking for
information on the project proposal. It has been confirmed that not a
line was ever published about the project until the government sought
financial assistance from the US on January 22.
Does the government really believe that another Kaptai dam is a
justified, viable, sustainable development proposal?
If the government believes in another Kaptai dam project, why has the
government been clandestine about the project? Why hasn't the
government discussed the project with either the locals or their
representatives? Why hasn't the government discussed the project in
any public forum?
The Bangladesh government, as a democratic constituency, has an
obligation to inform its own people about any project, which will
affect them directly. In turn, its people have the right to know what
will happen to them, to their homesteads, farms, woods, lives and
livelihoods if another lake is created for doubling of electricity
production.
There are now more questions than answers, more distrust than trust in
the government. One key question arises: is this another act of
treachery against the indigenous Jumma of CHT by its own government?
Our memory of the existing Kaptai dam, built in the 1960s with the
assistance of USAID, without public information and local
consultation, has not been erased from Jumma's collective memory. It
continues to haunt thousands of Jummas of different generations.
It made 100,000 people (more than a quarter of the Jumma population)
homeless and jobless. It destroyed 40 per cent of the most valuable
agricultural land of the CHT. It also triggered over two decades of
undeclared war.
There remain ongoing issues regarding the economic injustices against
the hill people as an outcome of the inequitable sharing of
electricity from the first Kaptai dam. Only a tiny amount of the
promised compensation for the first dam was ever delivered and even
today, about 50 years later, nearly 95 per cent of the electricity
produced by the Kaptai dam is used for the development of the plains,
not the CHT where the electricity is produced. Hence, there is a
substantial economic debt owed to the peoples of the CHT by the state.
For the near 50 years of the existence of the Kaptai dam the CHT has
suffered from a lack of electrical power. One would justifiably think
that CHT should have the first priority of use of the electricity of
the Kaptai dam and the surplus should go to the national grid. But
instead, electricity produced by the Kaptai dam is delivered directly
to the national grid, while electricity is returned to CHT only
through Hathazari, a station at Chittagong district.
A respectful relationship between the CHT people and the state will
remain difficult without addressing the existing economic injustices
involved in the unfair distribution of electricity production.
Depriving the CHT of benefit of the electricity can only exacerbate
the injustices against the CHT people.
If there were ever to be another dam in the CHT, two steps seem necessary:
Firstly the financial, moral and ethical injustices that arose from
the first dam be made good.
Secondly, the local people, their institutions and representatives
must be substantially (not tokenistically) involved in the inception,
planning, decision-making levels of the project and in its delivery
and in maintenance.
Kabita Chakma, formally trained as an architect, is the Coordinator of
CHT Jumma Peoples Network of the Asia Pacific. She is also a writer
and has published her work in diverse areas, including human rights,
environment, literature and architecture.
The Daily Star, February 4, 2010
Settlers attempt to grab land in Sajek
chtnews.com
News No. 20/2010, February 03, 2010
Settlers have made an attempt to grab a piece of plough land in Sajek in Rangamati district, sources say.
The land grab attempt comes in the midst of tension between Jummas and illegal settlers in the area over similar attempts which forced the Jummas to announce boycott of Baghaihat bazaar.
According to sources a group of 7 – 8 settlers led by Abdul Hye from Baghaihat went to Gangaram Doar this morning to cultivate 1.2 acres of land belonging to Lallua Chakma and Ms Arati Chakma.
Some army personnel accompanied them for their protection.
However, when the Jummas resisted, the settlers went away.
Today was the second consecutive day the settlers went to Gangaram Doar to grab that piece of land.
Unlike today, they were able to work on that land for a few hours without being resisted yesterday.
News No. 20/2010, February 03, 2010
Settlers have made an attempt to grab a piece of plough land in Sajek in Rangamati district, sources say.
The land grab attempt comes in the midst of tension between Jummas and illegal settlers in the area over similar attempts which forced the Jummas to announce boycott of Baghaihat bazaar.
According to sources a group of 7 – 8 settlers led by Abdul Hye from Baghaihat went to Gangaram Doar this morning to cultivate 1.2 acres of land belonging to Lallua Chakma and Ms Arati Chakma.
Some army personnel accompanied them for their protection.
However, when the Jummas resisted, the settlers went away.
Today was the second consecutive day the settlers went to Gangaram Doar to grab that piece of land.
Unlike today, they were able to work on that land for a few hours without being resisted yesterday.
Tension in Sajek, one person beaten by settlers
chtnews.com
News No. 19/2010, February 01, 2010
Fresh tension between Jummas and illegal Bengali settlers has been reported from Sajek as a Bengali businessman has been reportedly beaten up by a group of settlers.
Sources from Baghaihat said Lokman, a Bengali businessman from Korengatoli bazaar, was carrying Joticharya Chakma (32) on his motorbike on payment. (Joticharya Chakma is a resident of Simanachara village in Sajek and his father’s name is Barun Chakma).
They were bound for Baghaichari via Baghaihat to Korengatoli road. However they were stopped at Gangaram Doar by a group of settlers at around 12:30pm.
Sensing imminent danger, Joticharya Chakma, an active member of Sajek Land Protection Committee, ran away, leaving Lokman there.
The settlers beat up Lokman for carrying a Jumma on his motorbike.
When this news spread in the area, hundreds of Jumma villagers gathered at Gangaram Doar and staged demonstration, demanding punishment of those responsible for the attack on Lokman and Joticharya.
They suspended their agitation only when the local police personnel told them that a senior police officer would visit the area in the afternoon.
The Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January to put pressure on the government to meet their demands including stoppage of land grabbing and withdrawal of the army and settlers.
In reprisal, the settlers forced the Bengalis to suspend passenger jeep service to and from Baghaihat and Mazalong.
The Jummas responded to this measure by blocking Dighinala – Baghaihat road.
News No. 19/2010, February 01, 2010
Fresh tension between Jummas and illegal Bengali settlers has been reported from Sajek as a Bengali businessman has been reportedly beaten up by a group of settlers.
Sources from Baghaihat said Lokman, a Bengali businessman from Korengatoli bazaar, was carrying Joticharya Chakma (32) on his motorbike on payment. (Joticharya Chakma is a resident of Simanachara village in Sajek and his father’s name is Barun Chakma).
They were bound for Baghaichari via Baghaihat to Korengatoli road. However they were stopped at Gangaram Doar by a group of settlers at around 12:30pm.
Sensing imminent danger, Joticharya Chakma, an active member of Sajek Land Protection Committee, ran away, leaving Lokman there.
The settlers beat up Lokman for carrying a Jumma on his motorbike.
When this news spread in the area, hundreds of Jumma villagers gathered at Gangaram Doar and staged demonstration, demanding punishment of those responsible for the attack on Lokman and Joticharya.
They suspended their agitation only when the local police personnel told them that a senior police officer would visit the area in the afternoon.
The Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January to put pressure on the government to meet their demands including stoppage of land grabbing and withdrawal of the army and settlers.
In reprisal, the settlers forced the Bengalis to suspend passenger jeep service to and from Baghaihat and Mazalong.
The Jummas responded to this measure by blocking Dighinala – Baghaihat road.
Bannyachola villagers resist Borkha Party terrorists
chtnews.com
News No. 18/2010, January 31, 2010
The villagers of Bannyachola under Laxmichari Sadar Union have resisted Borkha Party terrorists and succeeded in filing a criminal case with Laxmichari police station against them.
A resident of Bannychola told chtnews.com that the military-backed Borkha Party terrorists had ordered all the villagers to attend a rally they organised against United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) yesterday.
The terrorists also stopped public vehicles bound for Manikchari bazaar with the support of the army and police personnel and forced the passengers to attend the rally.
However, the villagers of Bannyachola defied their order and none from this village attended the rally.
In reprisal, a group of 6-7 Borkha Party terrorists led by Nirmal Kanti Chakma and Kapil Sen Chakma raided Bannyachola today and began terrorising the people.
The terrorists, who were armed with firearms, ordered the villagers not to leave the village without their permission and to close all the shops in the village.
They also prevented the villagers from driving their vehicles and ordered them to deposit the keys of the vehicles with them.
This proved too much for the villagers, who lodged a strong protest with Bannyachola army camp and filed a criminal case with Laxmichari police station against the Borkha Party terrorists.
Borkha Party has been created by Laxmichari zone commander Lt. Col. Shariful Islam to weaken UPDF in the area.
Since their creation in July last year, the Borkha Party terrorists have been engaged in criminal activities such as looting, kidnapping, snatching and extortion.
Some reliable sources said the Borkha Party also has secret connection with Santu Larma faction of the JSS.
They further said that the Santu Larma faction of the JSS had supplied them with two automatic weapons a few days ago.
This has been corroborated by eyewitnesses in Laxmichari who saw these weapons in their hands.
Before the addition of these two automatic weapons, the Borkha Party terrorists had only LGs in their arsenal.
News No. 18/2010, January 31, 2010
The villagers of Bannyachola under Laxmichari Sadar Union have resisted Borkha Party terrorists and succeeded in filing a criminal case with Laxmichari police station against them.
A resident of Bannychola told chtnews.com that the military-backed Borkha Party terrorists had ordered all the villagers to attend a rally they organised against United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) yesterday.
The terrorists also stopped public vehicles bound for Manikchari bazaar with the support of the army and police personnel and forced the passengers to attend the rally.
However, the villagers of Bannyachola defied their order and none from this village attended the rally.
In reprisal, a group of 6-7 Borkha Party terrorists led by Nirmal Kanti Chakma and Kapil Sen Chakma raided Bannyachola today and began terrorising the people.
The terrorists, who were armed with firearms, ordered the villagers not to leave the village without their permission and to close all the shops in the village.
They also prevented the villagers from driving their vehicles and ordered them to deposit the keys of the vehicles with them.
This proved too much for the villagers, who lodged a strong protest with Bannyachola army camp and filed a criminal case with Laxmichari police station against the Borkha Party terrorists.
Borkha Party has been created by Laxmichari zone commander Lt. Col. Shariful Islam to weaken UPDF in the area.
Since their creation in July last year, the Borkha Party terrorists have been engaged in criminal activities such as looting, kidnapping, snatching and extortion.
Some reliable sources said the Borkha Party also has secret connection with Santu Larma faction of the JSS.
They further said that the Santu Larma faction of the JSS had supplied them with two automatic weapons a few days ago.
This has been corroborated by eyewitnesses in Laxmichari who saw these weapons in their hands.
Before the addition of these two automatic weapons, the Borkha Party terrorists had only LGs in their arsenal.
“It was not an attack, it was merely a protest” – says a Reformists JSS leader
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News No. 17/2010, January 31, 2010
A top ranking leader of the Reformist faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti has said the alleged attack on Santu Larma on 27 January was actually not an attack; it was merely a popular protest against his destructive policies that keep the intra-Jumma conflict alive.
“People are fed up with his politics of killings and kidnappings. He is responsible for the killing of hundreds of Jumma activists including former General Secretary of the PCJSS and a veteran guerrilla leader, Mr. Chandra Shekhor Chakma.” the Reformist leader told chtnews.com requesting anonymity for security concern.
“I don’t fear death, but I think I should be discreet because there is nothing Santu Larma cannot do to eliminate his political opponents.” he added.
He said Mr. Larma had personally ordered his gunmen to shoot and kill Chandra Shekhor Chakma, his long-time aide and comrade-in arm.
Chandra Shekhor Chakma was shot and wounded, and died a few months after the shooting incident.
His wife filed an attempt to murder case against Santu Larma. However, he has secured bail from the High Court.
Larma’s gunmen also shot and wounded Aungshuman Chakma, another JSS leader, and attacked Mintu Chakma, a NGO activist, with sticks and iron rods in Rangamati town.
Asked to comment on JSS allegation that UPDF was behind the attack on Santu Larma, UPDF leader Shanti Dev Chakma said, “This is completely baseless. Mr. Larma made this claim without investigating the matter.”
He asked: “Why should we attack him, since he is already dead, politically and ideologically?”
He said people are genuinely angry with him because scores of innocent people had to suffer because of him.
“He is the one who initiated division and conflicts within the Jumma movement and pursued scorched earth policy in his attempt to eliminate UPDF and his political opponents.” Shant said.
News No. 17/2010, January 31, 2010
A top ranking leader of the Reformist faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti has said the alleged attack on Santu Larma on 27 January was actually not an attack; it was merely a popular protest against his destructive policies that keep the intra-Jumma conflict alive.
“People are fed up with his politics of killings and kidnappings. He is responsible for the killing of hundreds of Jumma activists including former General Secretary of the PCJSS and a veteran guerrilla leader, Mr. Chandra Shekhor Chakma.” the Reformist leader told chtnews.com requesting anonymity for security concern.
“I don’t fear death, but I think I should be discreet because there is nothing Santu Larma cannot do to eliminate his political opponents.” he added.
He said Mr. Larma had personally ordered his gunmen to shoot and kill Chandra Shekhor Chakma, his long-time aide and comrade-in arm.
Chandra Shekhor Chakma was shot and wounded, and died a few months after the shooting incident.
His wife filed an attempt to murder case against Santu Larma. However, he has secured bail from the High Court.
Larma’s gunmen also shot and wounded Aungshuman Chakma, another JSS leader, and attacked Mintu Chakma, a NGO activist, with sticks and iron rods in Rangamati town.
Asked to comment on JSS allegation that UPDF was behind the attack on Santu Larma, UPDF leader Shanti Dev Chakma said, “This is completely baseless. Mr. Larma made this claim without investigating the matter.”
He asked: “Why should we attack him, since he is already dead, politically and ideologically?”
He said people are genuinely angry with him because scores of innocent people had to suffer because of him.
“He is the one who initiated division and conflicts within the Jumma movement and pursued scorched earth policy in his attempt to eliminate UPDF and his political opponents.” Shant said.
Borkha Party terrorists kidnap yet another person
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News No. 16/2010, January 31, 2010
The military-backed Borkha Party terrorists kidnapped another person in Laxmichari yesterday.
According to sources, Borkha Party terrorists led by Nirmal Kanti Chakma and Kapil Sen Chakma kidnapped Ratna Sen Chakma (35), husband of Laxmichari Upazila Lady Vice Chairman Ms Sagarika Chakma, from Laxmichari bus station.
Mr. Chakma went there to see one of his relatives off. The incident took place around 3pm. However, he was released in the evening, sources said.
His kidnapping comes barely seven hours after the kidnapping of UPDF activist Rashik Chandra Chakma alias Agata by the same Borkha Party terrorists.
Mr. Ratna Sen Chakma is a resident of Dewan Para under Dullyatali Union.
News No. 16/2010, January 31, 2010
The military-backed Borkha Party terrorists kidnapped another person in Laxmichari yesterday.
According to sources, Borkha Party terrorists led by Nirmal Kanti Chakma and Kapil Sen Chakma kidnapped Ratna Sen Chakma (35), husband of Laxmichari Upazila Lady Vice Chairman Ms Sagarika Chakma, from Laxmichari bus station.
Mr. Chakma went there to see one of his relatives off. The incident took place around 3pm. However, he was released in the evening, sources said.
His kidnapping comes barely seven hours after the kidnapping of UPDF activist Rashik Chandra Chakma alias Agata by the same Borkha Party terrorists.
Mr. Ratna Sen Chakma is a resident of Dewan Para under Dullyatali Union.
Jumma organisatoins protest against kidnapping of UPDF activist
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News No. 15/2010, January 30, 2010
Three Jumma organisations have demanded immediate arrest of military-backed Borkha Party terrorists, active in Laxmichari in Khagrachari district.
The Hill Women’s Federation, Hill Students’ Council and Democratic Youth Forum made this demand at a rally held at Shapla Chattar in Khagrachari town today. (Photo attached)
They were protesting the kidnapping of UPDF activist Rashik Chandra Chakma alias Agata by military-backed Borkha Party terrorists in Laxmichari.
The rally was addressed by Apruchi Marma, General Secretary of PCP Khagrachari District Unit; Subir Chakma, Organising Secretary of DYF Khagrachari District Unit and Madri Chakma, General Secretary of HWF Khagrachari Unit.
The speakers alleged that Laxmichari zone commander Lt. Col. Shariful Islam is providing shelter to the Borkha Party terrorists.
“The Borkha Party terrorists are carrying out their criminal activities with direct support from the army. They are collecting tolls near an army camp in Laxmichari. They regularly raid the homes of the UPDF members and supporters, torture them and kidnap them.” Subir Chakma said.
He said the army had created the Borkha Party to weaken UPDF in the area. “But the people will crush them as they did with army collaborators in the past.”
Madri Chakma and Apruchi Marma condemned the kidnapping of Rashik Chandra Chakma and demanded his immediate release.
They urged the government to disband the Borkha Party, arrest its members and put them on trial for their involvement in the murder of UPDF leader Rui khoi Marma and other criminal activities.
The rally was preceded by a procession which paraded Khagrachari town.
News No. 15/2010, January 30, 2010
Three Jumma organisations have demanded immediate arrest of military-backed Borkha Party terrorists, active in Laxmichari in Khagrachari district.
The Hill Women’s Federation, Hill Students’ Council and Democratic Youth Forum made this demand at a rally held at Shapla Chattar in Khagrachari town today. (Photo attached)
They were protesting the kidnapping of UPDF activist Rashik Chandra Chakma alias Agata by military-backed Borkha Party terrorists in Laxmichari.
The rally was addressed by Apruchi Marma, General Secretary of PCP Khagrachari District Unit; Subir Chakma, Organising Secretary of DYF Khagrachari District Unit and Madri Chakma, General Secretary of HWF Khagrachari Unit.
The speakers alleged that Laxmichari zone commander Lt. Col. Shariful Islam is providing shelter to the Borkha Party terrorists.
“The Borkha Party terrorists are carrying out their criminal activities with direct support from the army. They are collecting tolls near an army camp in Laxmichari. They regularly raid the homes of the UPDF members and supporters, torture them and kidnap them.” Subir Chakma said.
He said the army had created the Borkha Party to weaken UPDF in the area. “But the people will crush them as they did with army collaborators in the past.”
Madri Chakma and Apruchi Marma condemned the kidnapping of Rashik Chandra Chakma and demanded his immediate release.
They urged the government to disband the Borkha Party, arrest its members and put them on trial for their involvement in the murder of UPDF leader Rui khoi Marma and other criminal activities.
The rally was preceded by a procession which paraded Khagrachari town.
Borkha Party men kidnap UPDF activist in Laxmichari
chtnews.com
News No. 14/2010, January 30, 2010
An activist of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) has been kidnapped in Laxmichari, Khagrachari, UPDF sources say.
A group of military-backed Borkha Party men led by Kapil Sen Chakma, Phorachan Chakma and Nirmal Kanti Chakma raided Hazachari Master Para village under Dullyatali Union last night and picked up Rashik Chandra Chakma alias Agata (age 20) son of Mongal Dhan Chakma, UPDF Khagrachari District Unit Organiser Niron Chakma said.
He has been handed over to the army in Laxmichari Zone, latest reports say.
He hails from village Bardona, Dewan Para under Dullyatali Union.
Rashik went to Master Para to participate in a religious programme on the occasion of Maghi Purnima.
He was kidnapped from the religious gathering.
Earlier, on 7 April 2009, Rashik was arrested by Bangladesh Army personnel from Jurgachari in Laxmichari Sadar. He was handed over to the police and was shown arrested under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which gives the police arbitrary power to arrest anyone on mere suspicion.
However, he was released a few days later from Khagrachari jail.
Niron Chakma has condemned the kidnapping of Rashik Chakma, demanded his immediate and unconditional release, and urged the government to take actions against the Borkha Party terrorists.
News No. 14/2010, January 30, 2010
An activist of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) has been kidnapped in Laxmichari, Khagrachari, UPDF sources say.
A group of military-backed Borkha Party men led by Kapil Sen Chakma, Phorachan Chakma and Nirmal Kanti Chakma raided Hazachari Master Para village under Dullyatali Union last night and picked up Rashik Chandra Chakma alias Agata (age 20) son of Mongal Dhan Chakma, UPDF Khagrachari District Unit Organiser Niron Chakma said.
He has been handed over to the army in Laxmichari Zone, latest reports say.
He hails from village Bardona, Dewan Para under Dullyatali Union.
Rashik went to Master Para to participate in a religious programme on the occasion of Maghi Purnima.
He was kidnapped from the religious gathering.
Earlier, on 7 April 2009, Rashik was arrested by Bangladesh Army personnel from Jurgachari in Laxmichari Sadar. He was handed over to the police and was shown arrested under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which gives the police arbitrary power to arrest anyone on mere suspicion.
However, he was released a few days later from Khagrachari jail.
Niron Chakma has condemned the kidnapping of Rashik Chakma, demanded his immediate and unconditional release, and urged the government to take actions against the Borkha Party terrorists.
Ex-UPDF member kidnapped, released later
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News No. 13/2010, January 29, 2010
A former member of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) was kidnapped in Sapchari of Manikchari under Rangamati district on 24 January. He was released a few hours later the same day.
Sources said Gulobo Chakma alias Mohan, 25, was kidnapped from his home by a group of six JSS (Santu faction) members led by Arjun Moni Chakma, and Shanti Moni Chakma.
“The JSS people came in a CNG auto rickshaw at around 1.15pm and took him away.” an eyewitness said.
Mohan was an ex-UPDF member and was expelled 7/8 months ago for violating party disciplines.
His father’s name is Suresh Mohan Chakma and mother’s name Kalachoghi Chakma.
News No. 13/2010, January 29, 2010
A former member of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) was kidnapped in Sapchari of Manikchari under Rangamati district on 24 January. He was released a few hours later the same day.
Sources said Gulobo Chakma alias Mohan, 25, was kidnapped from his home by a group of six JSS (Santu faction) members led by Arjun Moni Chakma, and Shanti Moni Chakma.
“The JSS people came in a CNG auto rickshaw at around 1.15pm and took him away.” an eyewitness said.
Mohan was an ex-UPDF member and was expelled 7/8 months ago for violating party disciplines.
His father’s name is Suresh Mohan Chakma and mother’s name Kalachoghi Chakma.
PCP holds central conference, elects new central committee
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News No. 12/2010, January 28, 2010
A 21-member central committee of the Hill Students' Council has been formed at the end of a two-day conference held in Dhaka on 26 and 27 January.
Aongai Marma and Sumen Chakma have been elected president and general secretary of the new committee respectively.
A total of 240 delegates and observers took part in the council sessions held at Tajul Auditorium at Purana Paltan.
The eighteenth central conference of the PCP was inaugurated by Dr. Akmal Hossain, professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, at TSC Sarakdwip.
Presided over by Ricoh Chakma, the outgoing president of the PCP, the inaugural ceremony was also addressed by Faizul Hakim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Mukti Council; Masud Khan, convenor, Jatiya Ganotantric Gano Mancha; Limon, Sangskritir Naya Setu; Mahabub Mostafa Russel of Pragatishil Paribrajok Dal; Parvez Lenin of Bangladesh Chattra Federation; Ashish Sharma of Biplobi Chattra Sangha; Azizul Islam, president of Jatiya Chattra Dal and Prince Mahamud, organiser of Lamp Post, a progressive study circle group.
A colourful procession was taken out after the inauguration speeches.
News No. 12/2010, January 28, 2010
A 21-member central committee of the Hill Students' Council has been formed at the end of a two-day conference held in Dhaka on 26 and 27 January.
Aongai Marma and Sumen Chakma have been elected president and general secretary of the new committee respectively.
A total of 240 delegates and observers took part in the council sessions held at Tajul Auditorium at Purana Paltan.
The eighteenth central conference of the PCP was inaugurated by Dr. Akmal Hossain, professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, at TSC Sarakdwip.
Presided over by Ricoh Chakma, the outgoing president of the PCP, the inaugural ceremony was also addressed by Faizul Hakim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Mukti Council; Masud Khan, convenor, Jatiya Ganotantric Gano Mancha; Limon, Sangskritir Naya Setu; Mahabub Mostafa Russel of Pragatishil Paribrajok Dal; Parvez Lenin of Bangladesh Chattra Federation; Ashish Sharma of Biplobi Chattra Sangha; Azizul Islam, president of Jatiya Chattra Dal and Prince Mahamud, organiser of Lamp Post, a progressive study circle group.
A colourful procession was taken out after the inauguration speeches.
Two PCP activists injured in JSS attack in Dhaka
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News No. 11/2010, January 28, 2010
Two members of the Hill Students Council popularly known as PCP (its Bengali acronym) were injured when a group of students loyal to Santu Larma attacked them in Dhaka last night.
PCP sources said at around 11pm a group of Santu loyalists led by Batayan, Tuhin, Kartuz and Liton attacked PCP members at the gate of Dhaka University Gymnasium as they were boarding a bus to go back home after attending a two-day central conference of their ogranisation held on 26 - 27 January.
Later, the JSS supporters ran away when other PCP members rushed there and resisted them.
A few minutes later, the Santu loyalists came back along with some Bengali students and tried to mount another attack.
However, the PCP resisted them again and chased them away up to Jagannath Hall. At this stage, the police intervened and forced the PCP members to leave the area.
The injured PCP members have been identified as Biten Chakma and Hori Kamal Tripura.
PCP's newly elected central committee president Aongai Marma condemned the attack and urged the government to arrest those responsible for it.
PCP will organise a demonstration in Dhaka today in protest against the attack today.
News No. 11/2010, January 28, 2010
Two members of the Hill Students Council popularly known as PCP (its Bengali acronym) were injured when a group of students loyal to Santu Larma attacked them in Dhaka last night.
PCP sources said at around 11pm a group of Santu loyalists led by Batayan, Tuhin, Kartuz and Liton attacked PCP members at the gate of Dhaka University Gymnasium as they were boarding a bus to go back home after attending a two-day central conference of their ogranisation held on 26 - 27 January.
Later, the JSS supporters ran away when other PCP members rushed there and resisted them.
A few minutes later, the Santu loyalists came back along with some Bengali students and tried to mount another attack.
However, the PCP resisted them again and chased them away up to Jagannath Hall. At this stage, the police intervened and forced the PCP members to leave the area.
The injured PCP members have been identified as Biten Chakma and Hori Kamal Tripura.
PCP's newly elected central committee president Aongai Marma condemned the attack and urged the government to arrest those responsible for it.
PCP will organise a demonstration in Dhaka today in protest against the attack today.
Santu Larma faces public anger in Maischari
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News No. 10/2010, January 28, 2010
Santu Larma was greeted with boos and catcalls, shoes and sandals, brickbats and dula at Maischari and some other places on Khagrachari - Rangamati road as he was on his way to participate in a meeting of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission yesterday morning.
Hundreds of people halted his convoy, escorted by police, at Maischari bazaar, pelted his vehicle with brickbats and booed him, shouting "dhara, dhara", "dua dua" (catch him, catch him, assault, assault). They also called him a dalal or collaborator.
The crowd dispersed only when Mr. Larma's armed cadres (some of whom are enlisted criminals) fired shots into them. However, no one was hurt in the firing.
After that, Larma took shelter in the nearby Maischari army camp. He demanded that he be provided army protection for rest of his journey, but was refused.
Later, additional police force came from Khagrachari and took him to the meeting venue at Khagrachari circuit house.
The angry people also hang down shoes and sandals and dula (a bamboo-made basket which has become a symbol of collaborator) at various places including Chongrachari and Maischari under Mahalchari Upazila.
Earlier, his convoy also came under attack when groups of people pelted brickbats at Atara Mile, Betchari Khamar Para and Kalapahar.
Near Zero Mile in Khagrachari, groups of people shouted at him calling him dalal as his convoy passed by.
His car's windowpane broke when hit by brickbats, and he was injured when a splinter hit him in the hand.
Chakma Raja Barrister Debashish Roy and Rangamati District Council Chairman Nikhil Chakma also sustained minor injuries when the mob hit their vehicles with brickbats by mistake.
Santu Larma blamed UPDF for the attack. However, UPDF leaders Niron Chakma and Shanti Dev Chakma vehemently denied this.
They termed the incident as an outburst of public resentment against Santu Larma who is solely responsible for the continuing fratricidal conflict, which has already claimed hundreds of lives.
News No. 10/2010, January 28, 2010
Santu Larma was greeted with boos and catcalls, shoes and sandals, brickbats and dula at Maischari and some other places on Khagrachari - Rangamati road as he was on his way to participate in a meeting of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission yesterday morning.
Hundreds of people halted his convoy, escorted by police, at Maischari bazaar, pelted his vehicle with brickbats and booed him, shouting "dhara, dhara", "dua dua" (catch him, catch him, assault, assault). They also called him a dalal or collaborator.
The crowd dispersed only when Mr. Larma's armed cadres (some of whom are enlisted criminals) fired shots into them. However, no one was hurt in the firing.
After that, Larma took shelter in the nearby Maischari army camp. He demanded that he be provided army protection for rest of his journey, but was refused.
Later, additional police force came from Khagrachari and took him to the meeting venue at Khagrachari circuit house.
The angry people also hang down shoes and sandals and dula (a bamboo-made basket which has become a symbol of collaborator) at various places including Chongrachari and Maischari under Mahalchari Upazila.
Earlier, his convoy also came under attack when groups of people pelted brickbats at Atara Mile, Betchari Khamar Para and Kalapahar.
Near Zero Mile in Khagrachari, groups of people shouted at him calling him dalal as his convoy passed by.
His car's windowpane broke when hit by brickbats, and he was injured when a splinter hit him in the hand.
Chakma Raja Barrister Debashish Roy and Rangamati District Council Chairman Nikhil Chakma also sustained minor injuries when the mob hit their vehicles with brickbats by mistake.
Santu Larma blamed UPDF for the attack. However, UPDF leaders Niron Chakma and Shanti Dev Chakma vehemently denied this.
They termed the incident as an outburst of public resentment against Santu Larma who is solely responsible for the continuing fratricidal conflict, which has already claimed hundreds of lives.
Mass torture and looting in Sajek
chtnews.com
News No. 09/2010, January 22, 2010
Dozens of Jumma villagers have been tortured and their houses looted in Sajek of Rangamati district.
Reports reaching from the area said at around 12:25PM yesterday a group of army personnel from Baghaihat zone picked up two Jummas from Baghaihat bazaar for their support for the ongoing bazaar boycott programme. (The Sajek Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January in support of a set of demands which include putting a stop to army repression, land grabbing and withdrawal of the settlers.)
The arrested are Kala Biza Chakma (37) son of Phogira Chakma and Karnajoy Chakma (25) son of Mona Dhan Chakma. Both hail from Retkaba village.
The army took them to Goal Ghar or Round House at Baghaihat zone and began beating. When the news of their arrest and torture spread hundreds of Jumma women laid siege to Goal Ghar and ultimately snatched Kala Biza and Karnajoy away from the hands of the army.
After that incident, the army raided Ladumoni Bazaar at Gangaram Doar village at 4:15PM and beat up dozens of Jumma villagers.
Eight of the victims have been identified. They are Gyana Moy Chakma (45), Gyanendu Chakma (55, he is the convenor of Sajek Land Protection Committee), Bindu Chakma (48), Rajon’s father (42), Shanti Bimal chakma (40), Sarani Bap (32), Anadi Ranjan Chakma (37) and Ms Lozo Mukhi Chakma.
Ms Lozo Mukhi got her front teeth broken when a soldier flung a wooden pole at her face.
All these eight victims are from Retkaba Doar village.
In the evening the army also raided Retkaba village and tortured a number of Jumma villagers at the village tea shop.
At night the army raided Retkaba village once again taking a group of Bengali settlers along with them and looted all the belongings of the houses of the village. Among those whose houses were looted are Ms Ambika Master, her father Rinki Chakma and Ajit Chakma.
The settlers then burnt down their own empty huts which they had built on Jumma people’s lands.
The army and settlers went to Retkaba village again in the morning and chased away the Jummas who had returned to the village after passing the night in the jungle.
News No. 09/2010, January 22, 2010
Dozens of Jumma villagers have been tortured and their houses looted in Sajek of Rangamati district.
Reports reaching from the area said at around 12:25PM yesterday a group of army personnel from Baghaihat zone picked up two Jummas from Baghaihat bazaar for their support for the ongoing bazaar boycott programme. (The Sajek Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January in support of a set of demands which include putting a stop to army repression, land grabbing and withdrawal of the settlers.)
The arrested are Kala Biza Chakma (37) son of Phogira Chakma and Karnajoy Chakma (25) son of Mona Dhan Chakma. Both hail from Retkaba village.
The army took them to Goal Ghar or Round House at Baghaihat zone and began beating. When the news of their arrest and torture spread hundreds of Jumma women laid siege to Goal Ghar and ultimately snatched Kala Biza and Karnajoy away from the hands of the army.
After that incident, the army raided Ladumoni Bazaar at Gangaram Doar village at 4:15PM and beat up dozens of Jumma villagers.
Eight of the victims have been identified. They are Gyana Moy Chakma (45), Gyanendu Chakma (55, he is the convenor of Sajek Land Protection Committee), Bindu Chakma (48), Rajon’s father (42), Shanti Bimal chakma (40), Sarani Bap (32), Anadi Ranjan Chakma (37) and Ms Lozo Mukhi Chakma.
Ms Lozo Mukhi got her front teeth broken when a soldier flung a wooden pole at her face.
All these eight victims are from Retkaba Doar village.
In the evening the army also raided Retkaba village and tortured a number of Jumma villagers at the village tea shop.
At night the army raided Retkaba village once again taking a group of Bengali settlers along with them and looted all the belongings of the houses of the village. Among those whose houses were looted are Ms Ambika Master, her father Rinki Chakma and Ajit Chakma.
The settlers then burnt down their own empty huts which they had built on Jumma people’s lands.
The army and settlers went to Retkaba village again in the morning and chased away the Jummas who had returned to the village after passing the night in the jungle.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
News No. 08/2010/ JSS Santu group ransack UPDF office, two shops in Rajstali
chtnews.com
News No. 08/2010, January 12, 2010
Armed members of the Santu Larma faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti made a foray into Rajstali Sadar in Rangamati district and vandalized two shops and the office of the United Peoples Democratic Front.
Animesh Chakma, a central committee member of the UPDF, told chtnews.com that a group of about 20 JSS men led by Sadhan Tanchangya of Roangchari village raided Rajstali Bazaar at about 5:30AM today and ransacked the local UPDF office and two other shops.
“The JSS terrorists smashed the signboard of our office, broke the signboard, the door and windows of Jibok Pharmacy, a medicine shop, and ransacked the grocery shop of Babul Majumder.” Animesh said.
According to him, the JSS members also attempted to kidnap Md. Jafar from Talukder Para village. He is an Adibashi Bengali businessman and a supporter of UPDF.
“But their attempt failed when the CNG auto-rickshaw drivers woke up and resisted.” he added.
Animesh condemned the JSS attack and called upon all to resist the terrorists.
“The people are left with no other alternative than to fight back. Time and again, we appealed to the JSS to come to the negotiating table but to no avail; the more we raise our voice for a peaceful settlement, the more they become aggressive against us.” he said.
“What and whose purpose do they serve by attacking us, killing our people and extorting money from poor villagers?” he asked.
News No. 08/2010, January 12, 2010
Armed members of the Santu Larma faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti made a foray into Rajstali Sadar in Rangamati district and vandalized two shops and the office of the United Peoples Democratic Front.
Animesh Chakma, a central committee member of the UPDF, told chtnews.com that a group of about 20 JSS men led by Sadhan Tanchangya of Roangchari village raided Rajstali Bazaar at about 5:30AM today and ransacked the local UPDF office and two other shops.
“The JSS terrorists smashed the signboard of our office, broke the signboard, the door and windows of Jibok Pharmacy, a medicine shop, and ransacked the grocery shop of Babul Majumder.” Animesh said.
According to him, the JSS members also attempted to kidnap Md. Jafar from Talukder Para village. He is an Adibashi Bengali businessman and a supporter of UPDF.
“But their attempt failed when the CNG auto-rickshaw drivers woke up and resisted.” he added.
Animesh condemned the JSS attack and called upon all to resist the terrorists.
“The people are left with no other alternative than to fight back. Time and again, we appealed to the JSS to come to the negotiating table but to no avail; the more we raise our voice for a peaceful settlement, the more they become aggressive against us.” he said.
“What and whose purpose do they serve by attacking us, killing our people and extorting money from poor villagers?” he asked.
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