Read on folks....state sponsored land grab, arbitrary detention and torture of activists, fundamentalists given free hand....it gets worse and worse
Fresh Land Grabbing and Bengali Settlement Programme continued in CHT
Fresh Land Grabbing and Bengali Seetlement in CHT
News report submitted by: Ms. Rosaline DE Costa, Hotline Bangladesh.
Land grabbing by Bengali settlers and imminent forcible eviction of indigenous Jumma peoples from Sadhana Tila area under Dighinala Police Station, Khagrachari district of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh became a flashpoint. The Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple has been desecrated by the illegal plain settlers and is facing destruction. In addition, following the publication of a leaflet by the Students and Youth Committee Against Land Aggression, Zone Commander of Dighinala, Major Qamrul Hassan summoned Mr. Sattyendriyo Chakma, headman of Baghaichari Mouza (Kapaeeng Watch mistakenly mentioned Mr. Jnanendriyo Chakma as Headman of Babuchara mouza in previous report), to the zone headquarters, interrogated and threatened to kill him if he did not allow the illegal settlers to capture the Sadhana Tila land.
Since 15 August 2007, indigenous peoples of Sadhana Tila have been living on the edges of an impending communal riot as the military authorities have undertaken programmes to settle over 800 illegal plain settler families by evicting indigenous Jumma peoples and destroying the Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple. Indigenous Jumma peoples have been living in these lands from time immemorial.
As the Sadhana Tila became a flashpoint, on 28 August 2007, Chief of Bangladesh Army, General Moeen U Ahmed visited the area. Since then, the situation has only deteriorated.
On 2 September 2007, the illegal plain settlers destroyed some of the houses of indigenous Jumma peoples around Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple. Earlier on 1 September 2007 at around 12 noon, a group of settlers led by Md. Malek and Chand Mian pulled down the signboard of Sadhana Tila temple and smashed it. They also threatened the Buddhist monks to leave the temple and destroyed a few houses of the Jumma people at Sadhana Tila.
I. State's attempts to implant over 800 families of illegal settlers at Sadhana Tila
The Sadhana Tila area under Dighinala Police Station comprises about 300 acres of land and houses a Buddhist Meditation Center and a sizable indigenous Jumma population. As stated above, indigenous Jumma peoples have been living in these villages from time immemorial.
Since 13 August 2007, the illegal plain settlers supported by the Bangladesh army personnel and the Bangladesh police have launched programmes to forcibly capture the lands of the area. Bangladesh army personnel led by Dighinala Zone Commander, Major Qamrul Hassan ordered the Buddhist monks residing in the Sadhana Tila Buddhist Temple and indigenous peoples living around the Buddhist temple to leave in order to settle over 800 illegal plain settlers' families.
As indigenous Jumma peoples refused to comply, trucks and jeeps load of illegal settlers have been coming to Sadhana Tila and cutting the jungle around the Buddhist temple for constructing houses under the protection and command of the Bangladesh army and police personnel.
On 23 August 2007 at about 5 pm, a group of illegal settlers broke into the temple boundary and began cutting tress and shrubs belonging to the temple. When the Jumma villagers protested, the army and the police falsely accused the Buddhist monks of possessing arms and wanted to search the temple. A violent confrontation between the Jummas and the illegal settlers was narrowly prevented after the intervention of Union Council Chairman, Mr Paritosh Chakma.
II. Involvement of the local civilian administration and the army
The Bangladesh Army and police personnel have been actively involved in the land grabbing at Sadhana Tila area. The army authorities have reportedly announced an incentive grant of Taka 50,000 for each settler family who will be willing to settle there, in addition to Taka 1,000 as monthly allowance. The army personnel have also reportedly threatened to stop free food rations to those settlers who do not want to settle in Sadhana Tila area.
Since 30 August 2007, the army personnel themselves have been cutting jungles around Kamala Bagan School near Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple. They have also stepped up patrol to provide protection to the plain settlers.
III. Request for interventions
The situation is so grave that the possibility of a communal riot cannot be ruled out if the indigenous peoples protest against their eviction or destruction of their temple. The illegal plain settlers simply have been on a riotous mood. They have been using various tactics to instigate the indigenous peoples to protest in order to get some reasons for launching a full-scale communal attack on the indigenous peoples.
About 81 indigenous Jumma elders such as Headmen, Karbaris (village chief), women leaders, incumbent and former Chairmen and members of the Union Councils submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district on 2 September 2007 to stop the atrocities. Since the atrocities have intensified following the visit of General Moeen U Ahmed, it is unlikely that the Deputy Commissioner will be able to take effective measures.
Please find the attachment for details on Situation of CHT in Bangladesh during State of Emergency.
Kapaeeng Watch appeals to influence Government of Bangladesh for stopping land grabbing and settlement programme of Bangali settlers in CHT, south-eastern part of Bangladesh.
A. Arrest, detention and torture of indigenous activists
While the ongoing crackdown on the corrupt politicians across the country is a commendable job, the arrest of the members of the ethnic Jumma organisaitons who are fighting for their just rights cannot be acceptable. There is wide apprehension that the government agencies may misuse the emergency powers to arrest the ethnic Jumma rights activists in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Particularly the government forces have targeted the indigenous Jumma activists including members of the PCJSS. To materialise their allegation, the government forces have been showing arm recovery from arrestees' possession putting their (army) arm and hence lodging false arm case against them. Since the promulgation of the State of Emergency, at least 2 innocent villagers have been killed and 50 indigenous activists have been arrested by the government forces. Among them, PCJSS claims at least 20 members and UPDF claims at least 10 members have been arrested. In addition, it has also been reported that at least 20 innocent Jummas including public representatives, women and villagers have also been held. Please annexure for list of arrested activists.
Filing false cases against arrestees and punishing them
Allegations have been received that most of them have been arrested putting arms and ammunitions by the army. They all are falsely charged not only for keeping illegal arms and ammunitions, but also for extortion, kidnapping, killing etc. In some cases, the cases have been filed under section 16(b) of the Emergency Power Rules of 2007 which restricts release on bail to accused during the enquiry, investigation and trial of the case.
Among the arrested activists (please see annexure), Mr. Satyabir Dewan, General Secretary of PCJSS, Mr. Ranglai Mro, mouza Headman and UP Chairman, Mr. Bikram Marma, President of PCJSS Kaptai branch and Sai Mong Marma, Organising Secretary of PCJSS Kaptai branch have been punished 17 years imprisonment for each. The statements of complainant and witnesses have been studied by the reporter that the statements of complainer and witnesses against them given to the court were contradictory to the statements of the case submitted to the police station, but the punishment was declared. One of lawyers of Satyabir Dewan said that military forces led Major Yasin from Rangamati brigade verbally ordered the judges of the Chittagong judge court to declare punishment to all the cases filed against indigenous activists.
Relatives of both arrested activists said that they have been arrested putting arms by the military forces from their residence. Mr. Polo Dewan, son of Satyabir Dewan confirmed that he witnessed putting a country-made pipe-gun under his bed by an army person as he was at the room at that time. He said that he protested against it. But the army threatened to arrest him too.
On the other, Tanindra Lal Chakma, central member of PCJSS was arrested in connection with false extortion case filed by Md. Fuyad Hussain, Manager of Grameen Bank of Babuchara branch with Dighinala police station. Wife of Tatindra Lal Chakma claimed that the government forces compelled Md. Fuyad Hussain to file this case against her husband. However, as Mrs. Chakma said, her husband was granted bail in June 2007 as complainant denied before court to have involvement of Mr. Chakma with this extortion. Again, Mrs. Chakma also claimed that bail of her husband was cancelled on 23 July 2007 as Md. Fuyad Hussain again withdrawn his statement due to tremendous pressure from military. Md. Fuyad Hussain did not agree to talk on this issue with this reporter. Mrs. Chakma also confirmed that two cases falsely charging for killing have also been filed against her husband with Dighinala police station on 2 August 2007. Mr. Tatindra Lal is veteran ex-combatant and competent organiser.
One of false cases is arm case against Mr. Shaktipada Tripura and Bholash Tripura filed on 14 June 2007. It is reported on that day the Joint Forces conducted massive raid house of Mr. Shaktipada Tripura, Organising Secretary of central committee of PCJSS. His wife informed that during the raid, military forces searched the house, but found nothing and hence left the house. However, they came back after few minutes. They again encircled the house and declared themselves to recovery a country-made gun from back of the house. The military picked up Mr. Bholash Tripura, Finance Secretary of Khagrachari district branch of Hill Student Council, from the house. Two cases for keeping illegal arms and foreign currency were filed against Shaktipada Tripura and Bholash Tripura with Khagrachari police station. Bholash Tripura was also shown arrest under section of 16(b) of Emergency Power Rules of 2007. Shaktipada who are also vocal traditional leader (Headman) in Khagrachari was compelled to leave his place for avoiding arrest.
Brutal torture on arrestees indiscriminately is a must
Complaint has also been received that during the custody of the government forces and remand, most arrested activists have been brutally tortured and harassed. Mr. Ranglai Mro, for example, has been tortured inhumanly at army camp. It is learnt that due to serious condition, the police of Bandarban police station did not agree to receive him while army tried to hand over to them at late night of 23 February. At the last, he was admitted to Bandarban district hospital by the joint forces and transferred to Chittagong Medical College hospital later. Mr. Mro has been targeted as he has been raising voice against the eviction of the local people including indigenous Mro families in the name of the expansion of Ruma cantonment.
Similarly, the relatives of the victims also confirmed that arrested activists, namely, Sai Mong Marma, Nagor Chakma, Sumit Chakma, Bholash Tripura were brutally tortured during army custody.
Two killed during emergency
An innocent villager Suresh Mohan Chakma (40) died after severe military torture in Ghilachari of Rangamati district. It has been reported that on 3 March 2007 a group of army personnel from Ghilachari camp under Naniachar Thana raided the house of Suresh Mohan Chakma s/o Phedera Chakma in the village of Choichari. The victim was groaning with high fever with an intravenous drip set up when the arrest was made. However, the army provided no rationale for the arrest nor showed any warrant. After the arrest Mr. Chakma was taken to the camp and was severely beaten. He was released after three days on 6 March. The next day he died as a direct result of the torture.
Mr. Rasel Chakma s/o Paritosh Chakma of west Dewan Para under Naniarchar sub-district in Rangamati district was killed during the custody of security forces. He was arrested on 5 August 2007 from his house by the military forces. Security forces said that he was killed by heart attack. The dead body was taken to Rangamati hospital for post-mortem. Dr. Amal Chakma transferred the dead body to Chittagong Medical hospital for post-mortem, as there is no similarity between the statements of the security forces and wounds of the dead body. Rasel Chakma might be killed due to brutal of the security forces. See Bengali national daily Prothom Ali, 7 August 2007 for reference.
Pressure on indigenous activists does not stop after arrest and detention
In fact, pressure on indigenous activists does not stop by arresting and sending detention of their leaders, the government forces are putting pressure on the indigenous activists who are yet not arrested to give up raising voice against military and Bengali settlers including resignation from their respective organisation. Among other, Shuva Mangal Chakma, PCJSS leader and Chairman of Kengrachari Union confirmed that due to tremendous pressure of Bilaichari army zone he signed on a paper where contained that he would not continue work with PCJSS and give up politics and would be liable if any crime, such as, extortion, kidnapping etc is happened. Similarly indigenous activists including public representatives and PCJSS members in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts have been compelled by the military to sign on such paper.
It is also reported that in May 2007 Zone Commander of Jurachari army camp of 8 Bengal under Kaptai brigade is also organizing public meeting with the indigenous people where he speaks against the indigenous activists, particularly PCJSS leadership. He is also threatening indigenous people and permanent Bengali residents to face severe consequences if they would continue supports to the PCJSS and other indigenous activists.
Mr. Biplab Tripura, General Secretary of PCJSS Khagrachari branch said to this reporter that the military is pressuring on PCJSS leaders of Tripura community to leave PCJSS and to compromise with military; otherwise they would be faced cases like Shaktipada Tripura and Bholash Tripura. Mrinal Tripura, Sudhakar Tripura, Braja Tripura etc are of Tripura activists who are under tremendous military pressure. They all are vocal for indigenous cause in CHT.
False cases are also being lodged against the indigenous activists so that they compel to leave their work area or to go hiding with an aim to destroy leadership or to make leadership vacuum among the indigenous peoples. Mangal Kanti Chakma (32), Chairman of local Union Parishad (UP) and PCJSS leader in Longadu sub-district told to this reporter that a case for extortion and kidnapping against 14 activists including himself and Laxmi Prasad Chakma, Vice President of PCJSS was filed with Longadu police station by Rup Kumar Chakma from Jurachari sub-district on 22 June 2007. He said that Rup Kumar Chakma is well known army informer in Rangamati. Mr. Mangal Kanti is of opinion that this case is nothing but repression and harassment on indigenous activists in order to suppress their voices.
B. Land grabbing and settlement of Bengali families increased
The military authority is charged with whipping up of communal violence against the Jumma people. Again, the military authority is aiding, abetting and instigating the Bengali Muslim settlers for the forcible occupation of more and more Jumma peoples land. Even the military authority itself is acquisitioning more and more Jummas land on one pretext or another. The Jumma people have no redress against this injustice. Further the military authority still receives over 10,000 metric tons of food grains every year for Pacification Programme to rehabilitate more and more Bengali Muslim settlers to turn CHT region into Muslim-majority region.
It is reported, for instance, that last June 2007, the military forces settled down at least 200 families of Bengali settlers at Dantkupya village under Khagrachari sub-district evicting 12 families of indigenous people from their traditional land. Mr. Prithwiraj Chakma, a villager of Dantkupya said to this report writer that a camp was set up on his land on 8 March 2007 by the military forces of 32 Bengal in order to provide security to the settler families. He also confirmed that the General Commanding Officer (GOC) of 24th infantry division of Chittagong cantonment visited the camp on 29 July 2007 for this purpose. See annexure for details.
On the other, complain has been received from a relative of Kabakhali mouza Headmen requesting not to be named that military forces undertook plan to be settled about 300 families of Bengali setters at Kripapur village under Kabakhali mouza soon. The military have already visited the places for the same. On the other, this source also confirmed that settlement programme is going on at Merung, Changrachari and Betchari under Dighinala sub-district and Lemuchari and Itchari areas under Mahalchari sub-district.
Rasamoy Chakma, one of victims of land dispossession in Khagrachari said that from January 2006 to June 2006 Bengali settlers from Nunchari cluster village occupied more than 500 acres of land and built about 300 houses on the recorded lands of the Jumma people of Gamaridhala under Khagrachari sadar sub-district. They also occupied lands of the Bouddha Shishughar Orphanage and Jumma villagers at Saprue Karbari Para under Mahalchari sub-district. Every day they threatened the Jumma people for committing communal riots.
One Priti Marma of Khagrachari informed to this reporter that Upazila Nirbahi Officer (sub-district executive officer) of Mahalchari sun-district directed by Mahalchari army zone called a meeting on land disputes at his office on 5 August 2007 with representatives of both Bengali settlers and Jumma villagers. But bypassing the demand of Jumma people, the UNO ordered the Jumma people to be presented their land documents within a few days. Priti Marma also claimed that there are huge traditionally occupied lands, other than recorded lands. Traditionally occupied lands do not require to have land deed. It is mentionable that government does not formally recognize the rights of the traditionally occupied lands. Government regards these lands as state-owned. They are also known as Khas lands. Priti Marma said that government forces are using State of Emergency in occupying Jummas land in order to move programme of ethnic cleansing forward.
With an aim to conduct this land grabbing and settlement programmes uninterrupted, the military forces are forming so-called Shanti Committee (Peace Committee) with representatives both from Jumma and Bengali settlers in several places. Mr. Ramani Mohan Chakma, Headman of Dantkupya mouza confirmed, for example, that such committee was formed at Dantkupya villager in his chair. Three representatives from each Bengali and Jumma community included as member of this committee. One of the members requesting not to be named said that Jumma villagers were compelled to be member of this committee. He also said that this committee is nothing but to continue militarys work uninterrupted. He also expressed that no Jumma people agree willingly to be member to this committee as their lands have been seizing. On the contrary, they have option to protest against this activity as State of Emergency is going in the country.
Meanwhile, recently in March 2007, the authority of Ruma cantonment ordered to leave area as they acquired about 7570 acres of ancestral land of indigenous peoples for expansion of Ruma garrison. More than 4000 indigenous family mostly belong to Mro community will loose their land due to acquisition. Mro leaders claim local people have not been consulted before taking land acquisition. One of the office bearer of the Movement for Protection of Land Rights and Forest, a land rights organisation based in Rangamati, claimed that only in Bandarban district in CHT, 40,077 acres of land were given lease to the outsiders. In addition, a total 94,066 acres of land for so-called afforestation and 75,686 acres for military base have already been acquired in the same district.
On the other, complain has been received from Mr. Chandra Lal Chakma, a PCJSS member in Bilaichari upazila that RB Habildar Rafuque of Digholachari army zone of 8 Bengal in Bilaishari under Rangamati district forced him to leave his recorded grove land handing over to a Bengali Muslim settler named Md. Abdul Aziz in May 2007. He said that Abdul Aziz has been living on this land for years without his permission. However, Aziz recently decided to go back to his original home district of Sylhet by selling this land to a Bengali settler named Md. Motaleb. Receiving this information, Mr. Chakma put objection to Bilaichari police station and one police officer named Samiran Chakrabarty looked into the objection and declared judgment in favour of Mr. Chakma. But Abdul Aziz took shelter to Digholachari zone complaining that Mr. Chakma forcibly evicted his family and army of Digholachari zone forced Mr. Chakma to hand over his land to said Bengali settler otherwise he would be faced crossfire. Now Mr. Chakma left his home area for security reason.
In the last week of July 2007 high military officials in Khagrachari met with District Awami League and BNP leaders in a meeting at Brigade headquarters. Ultra communalists like Joynal Abedin, chairman of Khagrachari Municipality, leader of so-called Sama Odhikar Andolon and a close aide to jailed ex-MP Abdul Waddud Bhuiyan, and Zahedul Alam, General Secretary of Khagrachari branch of AL, among others, were present at the meeting. They discussed the settler issue and decided to begin settlement expansion. The military officers urged both the AL and BNP leaders to shun mutual political bickering and work for the common interest of the Bengalis in CHT.
C. Strengthening of the extreme nationalists and communal organisations geared up
Military forces have also been supporting the extreme nationalists and communal organisations in CHT to implement its policy of Islamisation. Among others, Bangali Krishak-Shramik Kalyan Parishad (Bengali Peasant-Labourers Welfare Council), Parbatya Gana Parishad (Council of Hill Tracts People), Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad (Hill Tracts Bengali Students Council), Parbatya Chattagram Sama Odhikar Andolan (CHT Equal Rights Movement), Sarba Daliya Bangali Oikya Parishad (All Party Bengali United Council), Parbatya Bangali Oikya Parishad (Hill Tracts Bengali United Council), Nagarik Forum (Citizens Forum), Bengali Tigers etc. are the most active organisations in CHT.
The main activities of these organisations are to orgnise Bengali Muslims, particularly settlers against the indigenous community, to create communal tension in CHT and commit attack on indigenous localities, to occupy indigenous peoples land forcibly, to oppose implementation of the CHT Accord, to counter the activities of indigenous peoples organisations mainly PCJSS and other supportive organisations etc. The Sama Odhikar Andolan (Equal Rights Movement) is the latest extreme nationalists and communal organisation, which was formed under the leadership of BNPs ex-MP Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan who have been arrested by the Joint Forces. Mr. Bhuiyan was a product of military forces, but he sank into deep corruption, hence military forces deployed in Khagrachari had no way to protect him. However, the military forces are still supporting the followers of the Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan.
As part of the strengthening of the extreme nationalists and communal organisations, military forces supported to organise district conference of the Sama Odhikar Andolan held on 20 July 2007 at office of the Khagrachari Contractors Association. Though State of Emergency does not permit to organise such conference, but Sama Odhikar Andolan could easily do it. As per decision, holding of sub-district level conferences and reconstitution of sub-district committee of the Sama Odhikar Andolan are also going on uninterrupted.
On the other, the followers of Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan have been rehabilitated to Khagrachari Hill District Council (KHDC) nominating them as member of this council in July 2007. The Chairman of the council, Mr. Manindra Lal Tripura was appointed by Adbul Wadud Bhuiyan during the regime of BNP-led coalition government. He has been kept up as chairman. The Bengali member of the newly constituted KHDC, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique is BNP leader and Sama Odhikar leader as well. Other three new Jumma members, namely, Mr. Animesh Dewan, Mr. Sanu Mong Marma and Mr. Ruitoi Marma are also leaders of BNP and beneficiaries of Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan.
D. No initiative for implementation of the CHT Peace Accord
Since assuming to the state power by the present Caretaker Government undertook various vital initiatives that were not addressed by any political government, such as, drive against widespread corruption, separation of judiciary from the executive, re-constitution of Anti-Corruption Commission etc, but it is the Dr. Fakruddin Ahmads interim government who addresses the same. Considering this, the indigenous Jumma people hoped that this neutral Caretaker Government would start proper implementation of the CHT Peace Accord that was also kept unimplemented by the previous political governments. However, though 8 months have passed, no proper initiative has yet been taken for implementation of the CHT Peace Accord by the Caretaker government.
It is slightly signaled hope that three meetings have been held during the present Caretaker government. But no progress has been made to this direction. The first meeting was held in April by Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad Chowdhury, Advisor for CHT Affairs Ministry (CHTAM) with four chairmen of CHT Regional Council and three Hill District Councils. The 2nd meeting of Advisory Committee of CHTAM was also held by Advisory Committee of the Ministry of CHT Affairs at his office. It is reported that development activities of the CHT, implementation of the CHT Peace Accord and other issues were discussed in the meeting, but no concrete decision has been taken in the meeting. Indigenous people in CHT claim that the meeting was nothing but eyewash.
Besides, another meeting of the Task Force on rehabilitation of the returnee tribal refugee and internally tribal displaced families was also held at circuit house of Khagrachari district, chaired by Mr. Samiron Dewan, Chairman of the Task Force on 3 June 2007. But no decision or discussion has been made on rehabilitation of the internally Jumma displaced persons who are living in miserable condition.
On the contrary, the government curtailed at least one-third budget of CHT Regional Council, an apex body of the special administrative arrangement for CHT. Now CHT Regional Council is facing financial crises to run its activities.
The indigenous people of CHT demanded proper implementation of the CHT Peace Accord to the Caretaker Government. Recently in the programme organised on occasion of international day of worlds indigenous peoples in Dhaka, participants and speakers both among from civil society of mainstream people and indigenous peoples again raised demand for implementation of the Accord. They are of opinion that this is Caretaker Government who could implement the Accord like other crucial issues, such as, drive against the corruption, separation of judiciary from the executive, re-constitution of Anti-Corruption Commission etc.
However, they claimed that the military forces are still reluctant to implement the Accord. The military authority continues to be final policy making and law enforcing authority in the CHT like as before during the political government. Anti-Accord attitude of the military forces is the main challenge in implementing the Accord.
Appeal:
Like widespread corruption, terrorism and abuse of power in Bangladesh, the CHT problem as well as non-implementation of the CHT Peace Accord is also a crucial national problem in the country. For the sake of good governance and rules of law in the CHT, implementation of the CHT Peace Accord is a must. Without proper and speedy implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, a congenial atmosphere for free, fair and impartial election could not be ensured in the region. In order to resolve CHT problem through political and peaceful means and to create a favourable atmosphere for free and fair election, international community should influence present Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Military Forces to:
1. start initiative for speedy implementation of the CHT Accord that paves the way for the peace and development in the region;
2. prepare voter list of the region only with the permanent residents of CHT as per CHT Peace Accord and allow to enter international observers in CHT during the preparation of voter lists and election as well;
3. stop military atrocity and harassment on the indigenous peoples activists and withdraw the cases filed against them, and release them immediately;
4. stop settlement programme of Bengali settlers and land grabbing and return back them to their cluster villages until and unless land disputes are resolved through land commission.
