A 19-member committee for the Rangamati district unit of the Hill Students Council (PCP) was formed at the end of its 4th conference held at Kudukchari.
The participants unanimously elected Bilash Chakma as president, Jhantu Chakma as general secretary and Bablu Chakma as organising secretary.
The two-day conference was held from 21 – 22 January at the office of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) at Kudukchari, Rangamati.
PCP president Aongay Marma was present in the conference.
The army made every attempt to disrupt the opening ceremony of the conference, which was inaugurated by Aongay Marma.
The soldiers stopped PCP activists and supporters at various points including Keretchari, Babukbhanga, Betchari and Krishi Institute, and prevented them from taking part in the conference.
Large umber of army and paramilitary VDP and Ansar personnel were also deployed at the venue of the programme.
Despite that, an estimated over four hundred PCP members and supporters took part in the conference. A large number of general people also participated.
PCP president Aongay Marma condemned the undemocratic behaviour of the army and vowed to step up the struggle for full autonomy.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
General Imbrahim takes flak over comment on CHT land survey
The chief organiser of the Rangamati district unit of the United Peoples Democratic Front, Shanti Dev Chakma took Major General Sayed Ibrahim (Rd) to task for advocating a cadastral land survey prior to the settlement of land disputes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Speaking as chief guest at a discussion meeting organised by Parbatyo Bangali Chattra Parishad, a military-backed outfit of the Bengali settlers, in Rangmati yesterday, the former army commander and chairman of Kalyan Party said land problems in the CHT could not be resolved without a land survey.
In a statement issued to the media today, Shanti Dev Chakma refuted Ibrabim, saying “the demand for land survey was raised with a view to providing legal sanctions to the illegal land grabs by Bengali settlers, who were brought in the CHT during the era of General Ziaur Rhaman and General Hussain Md. Ershad”.
He said land surveys must not be carried out prior to the settlement of land disputes.
He further said settlement of land disputes was not possible if illegal land settlements given to the settlers were not revoked and the grabbed lands were not returned to the actual owners.
“The government or the Land Commission can revoke such settlements by invoking section 6 (c) of the CHT Land Commission Act” he added.
The UPDF leader demanded trial of General Ibrahim for crimes against humanity, and said: “It was during his reign in the CHT that repression of the Jumma people reached its highest pitch, with thousands of them being ejected from their hearts and homes and forced to seek refuge in
Branding Ibrahim as an accomplice of military dictator General Ershad, Shanti said it was because of these people that
“Exemplary punishment should be meted out to them so that no one can dare to usurp power in the country and to impose repressive policies in the CHT in future.” he added.
“I don’t see any future of Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, Tripuras, Khasis becoming Bengalis” – Willem van Schendel
“I don’t see any future of Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, Tripuras, Khasis becoming Bengalis” – Willem van Schendel
Professor Willem van Schendel, chair of Modern Asian History, Amsterdam University, said that he does not see a future when the national minorities of Bangladesh will become Bengalis.
“I don’t see any future of Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, Tripuras, Khasis becoming Bengalis. Of course they will be fluent in Bengali, but that does not change their identities and self-awareness. The idea that the problem will resolve itself through assimilation is a myth.” he said.
Mr. Willem made this comment in an exclusive interview titled “
In reply to another question he said: “I am very worried about the future [of the non-Bengali communities] because I think it is a time bomb ticking away under
He also said that there has been a lot of injustice done to the minorities.
Mr. Willem, a researcher and author of a number of books on
To read the full interview, please click the following link:
http://www.newagebd.com/2010/dec/31/dec31/xtra_inner5.html
Govt urged to stop expansion of reserve forest in Dighinala
THE United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) has urged the government to cancel a plan to expand reserve forests in Dighinala under Khagrachari district, saying it would displace thousands of Jumma people in the area.
In a statement issued to the media today, Ujjwal Smriti Chakma, chief organiser of UPDF Khagrachari district unit, said thousands of Jumma people will be displaced and rendered homeless, if the proposed 12,849 acres of land in six Mouzas are added to the existing reserve forests and put under the control of the Forest Department.
He labeled the plan a conspiracy to uproot the Jumma people from the area, and added that, “It will cause a humanitarian tragedy and have serious consequences on the economy and environment.”
Mr Chakma held the Forest Department responsible for depletion of forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and said, “Experiences show that the more reserve forests have been created, the more the Jumma people have lost their traditional control over their land and forest and the more forests have been destroyed.”
The UPDF leader called upon all irrespective of party affiliation and ethnic identity to get united to fight against the government plot to displace the Jumma people by expansion of reserve forests in Dighinala.
Army beats up two in Ramgarh
TWO villagers were tortured in Ramgarh as the army tried to foil a programme, marking the 12th founding anniversary of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) yesterday.
The UPDF Ramgarh unit yesterday organized a rally at
At
The soldiers searched houses in the nearby village and beat up two persons. They are Sona Moni Chakma, 17, son of Daya Moni Chakma of Indra Moni Para village and Babu Marma son of Gomba Marma of village Nabadwip Karbari Para.
They came there to participate in the rally.
The army also took away the national flag, a number of UPDF flags and a microphone from there.
Another group of army men brought down the UPDF flags and festoons hoisted at different places in Matiranga including the Alutila hill.
UPDF marks 12th founding anniversary as army tries to foil it
THE United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) marked its 12th founding anniversary across the Chittagong Hill Tracts today as the government and military tried to foil its programmes.
The UPDF has vowed to strengthen its struggle for full autonomy.
The anniversary programmes included hoisting party flag, discussion meeting, view-exchange meeting with elders, boat rally and children rally.
Order to abstain from programmes
The Rangamati district administration imposed restrictions on holding of any public meetings in the district.
In a letter addressed to Sona Moni Chakma, a local UPDF leader of Rangamati, the district administration said it had “learnt through a report submitted to it by law enforcement agencies that there was a possibility of a bloody conflict among the rival parties” if the proposed programmes of the UPDF were allowed to be held.
It ordered the UPDF to abstain from all the programmes undertaken by the party. The letter was signed by Md. Moniruzzaman, Assistant Commissioner, on behalf of Rangamati district magistrate. (Memo No. 299.102.002.000.001.2010.456 Dated
Although the letter was signed on 25 December, it was delivered to the UPDF office at Kudukchari in the morning today.
Army disrupts programme
Huge contingents of soldiers were deployed at various points in Manikchari, Kudukchari, Naniachar, Jurachari in Rangamati district to disrupt the UPDF programmes.
In Manikchari and Kudukchari, the army stopped participants at different spots and searched their bodies. They refused to allow the UPDF activists and their supporters to assemble at Manikchari and Kudukchari bazaar.
In Jurachari, the army prevented people from attending a discussion meeting in Subholing and arrested Maha Ranjan Chakma, president of Democratic Youth Forum Jurachari unit.
In Burighat of Naniachar, the soldiers stopped a boat procession at Komtoli and prevented it from proceeding towards Naniachar. They also refused to allow the party flags to be hoisted.
In Rajstali, the army personnel brought down the UPDF flags hoisted atop its party office and snatched away a banner, while they threatened people not to hold any programme to mark the 12th founding anniversary of the party in Baghaihat.
Such disruptive activities of the army have also been reported from many other places including Matiranga in Khagrachari.
Khagrachari
To mark the day the UPDF Khagrachari district unit took up various programmes which included hoisting party flag, playing revolutionary music, placing wreaths at a makeshift monument and a children rally.
About 300 children took part in a jeep rally, which paraded through Khabangpujjya, Shapla Chatwar, Chengi Squar and Mahajonpara before ending at
The jubilant children waved UPDF flags and chanted slogans.
Rangamati
UPDF organized a boat procession in Naniachar. Over 2,000 people in about 300 boats participated in it.
A floating boat rally was held at Maachbil, south of Naniachar bazaar, at the end of the procession.
A new office building of the UPDF was launched at Subholong today as a part of programmes marking the 12th founding anniversary of the party. UPDF held a discussion meeting at its new office building on the occasion.
Chaired by Nihar Bindu Chakma, the discussion was also attended by ex-college principal Md. Hossain Khan, joint convenor,
It was also addressed, among others, by UPDF leader Animesh Chakma, Jatio Mukti Council leader Amir Abbas, novelist Ahmed Jasim, HWF leader Konika Dewan, Subolong UP chairman Bihari Ranjan Chakma, Jurachari Sadar UP chairman Shyamol Kanti Chakma and Dumdumya UP chairman Razia Chakma.
Hossain Khan said Santu Larma had failed to achieve the demands of the Jumma people. “Now it is time for all the Jumma people to rally behind the UPDF.” he added.
Manikchari
UPDF Rangamati unit was scheduled to inaugurate a new office at Manikchari and hold a discussion meeting there.
However, the programme had to be cancelled as the local administration imposed restrictions on holding any such programmes.
Large number of army soldiers had been deployed at various points in Manikchari and Kuduchari since early in the morning.
UPDF tried to hold a rally at Kudukchari bazaar but the army prevented them.
After a long and heated exchange of words with the army, UPDF was able to hold a brief rally at Half-bazaar near Kudukchari bazaar after
The rally was addressed by Jatio Mukti Council leader Bhulon Bhowmik, Biki Majumder and Riko Chakma.
Sajek
A discussion meeting, marking the 12th founding anniversary of the UPDF, was held at Gangaram Doar. Chaired by Gyanendu Chakma, convenor of Sajek Land Protection Committee, it was addressed, among others, by UPDF leader Natun Kumar Chakma, Kanchan Chakma, Akash Chakma, Nimesh Chakma, Ompika Chakma and Binoy Chakma.
Bandarban
The Bandarban unit of the UPDF held a discussion meeting and a procession at Balaghata to mark the day.
Chaired by Choton Tanchangya, organiser of UPDF Bandarban unit, the meeting was addressed by Jatio Mukti Council leader
The meeting was followed by a colourful procession which paraded Balaghata bazaar.
Discussion meetings were also held in Longudu, Rajstali, Belaichari, Kaokhali, Ghagra, Betbunia,
Poster and festoon
On the night of 25 December, the UPDF put up posters, hoisted its flags and hung festoons at different places in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The festoons contained various slogans of the party.
UPDF condemns government action
The UPDF president Prasit Khisha in a statement condemned the government for its disruptive activities.
Terming the government action as “undemocratic and fascist” he said the just struggle of the Jumma people led by UPDF could never be
subdued by taking away the right to freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed in the constitution.
Mr Prasit said, “The government, like a snake charmer, is playing a game with the Land Commission and CHT Accord Implementation Committee.”
Denouncing the CHT Land Commission Act and its so-called hearing, he said the people would be compelled to build up a greater movement if the government failed to provide recognition to the customary land rights and revoke the illegal land settlements given to the settlers.
UPDF leaflet on the eve of its 12th founding anniversary
The UPDF published a four-page leaflet on the occasion of its 12th founding anniversary. It said: “The present constitution of
The UPDF raised a 12-point demand in the leaflet. These include: recognition of the national minorities in the constitution and declaring the CHT as an autonomous area, putting an end to military operation and withdrawal of the army, restitution of customary land rights, putting a stop to land grabbing and restoration of grabbed lands to their rightful owners, keeping the CHT administration free from military influence, rehabilitation of the settlers outside the CHT, putting an end to sexual assault on Jumma women, withdrawal of illegal restrictions imposed on public meetings and rallies, putting
an end to repression of UPDF members, release of UPDF members and supporters, putting an end to the torture and arrest of innocent people, to raids into villages, to military searches and to intimidation, putting a stop to harassment of monks and withdrawal of undeclared restrictions imposed on the practice of religion etc.
Borkha Party beats up two in Laxmichari
TWO supporters of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) were tortured by military-backed Borkha Party members in Laxmichari under Khagrachari district.
The incident occurred yesterday when the UPDF supporters were putting up posters at Laxmichari bazaar area.
The tortured victims have been identified as Kala Baran Chakma, 35, son of Gola Chakma and Bindu Chakma, 37, son of Phool Chan Chakma. Both of them are from the
Meanwhile, another report adds: Three Borkha Party members have been surrendered to UPDF. They are Dhongo Chakma, 16, son of Samar Kumar Chakma, Babu Chakma, 18, son of Kina Dhan Chakma and Subol Chakma, 22, son of Duleye Chakma. All of them are from the
Army orders stoppage of temple construction
AN army major has ordered Sadhana Tila Buddhist temple to stop all development activities.
Sources say a group of 12 army personnel led by Major Anik from Babuchara army camp raided the temple at
The army men also took away about 500 pieces of bricks piled up at the temple.
The stolen bricks, meant for the construction of the temple, have been put under the charge of Commanding Officer of Dighinala Zone, Lt. Col. Shaheen.
The army also ordered the temple management committee to appear at Dighinala zone tommorrow.
The army have been trying to occupy the temple land for a long time. During the state of emergency between 2007 and 2008, it made several unsuccessful attempts to capture it by force.
Later, the army fought a legal battle through a settler proxy, which it lost.
Land grab attempt in Bogachari
THERE has been an attempt to grab land belonging to a Jumma villager in Bogachari under Naniachar Upazila of Rangamati district, sources in UPDF say.
A Bengali settler named Mozaffar, 65, son of Gofur Sheikh made the attempt at
The land was registered in 1976 – 77 in the name of Nonaram Chakma, 45, son of Tanu Ranjan Chakma of village Bogachari Suridas Para.
But Mozaffar claims he owns the land and tried to occupy it along with turmeric plants Mr Chakma has grown on it.
However, the attempt was resisted by Jumma villagers.
At one stage, Naniachari Union Council chairman Panchanon Chakma visited the spot and appealed to both sides to settle the issue amicably.
He took them to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer at Naniachar in the hope that he would settle the issue after hearing both sides.
While Nonaram Chakma showed him documents pertaining to settlement of the land in his favour, Mozaffar failed to produce any such document in support of his claim.
Yet, the UNO refused to settle the issue, and said he would do so after further spot verification.
PCP Naniachar Thana unit formed
A SEVENTEEN-MEMBER new committee for Naniachar Thana unit of the Hill
Students Council (PCP) has been formed, a press release says.
The committee was formed today at the end of a conference held at Naniachar college ground.
Bighna Khisha and Ripon Chakma were elected as president and general secretary of the committee respectively while Swapan Chakma was made organising secretary.
About two hundred students participated in the conference.
Khagrachari admn denies permission to hold human chain
THE Khagrachari district administration has refused to give permission to a Jumma organisation to hold a human chain in protest against torture of innocent villagers by police.
The Greater Khabangpujjya Social Welfare Committee yesterday sent a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, informing him that it would hold a human chain in front of Khagrachari press club to protest the beating of innocent villagers of Khabangpujjya including women and children.
The Committee also sought co-operation from the district administration.
But the district administration refused to allow the programme to go ahead.
The Additional District Magistrate put down his remarks on the blank space of the said letter: “Permission denied. The SP (Superintendent of Police) is requested to take necessary measures.” (Scanned copy of the letter and ADM’s remarks attached)
On 15 December, the police attacked members of the Hill Students Council when they tried to take out a procession at Swanirbhor area and arrested at least 40 Jummas including women and children.
The police also entered Khabangpujjya village, searched houses and beat up villagers indiscriminately. Even women and children were not spared.
Five villagers arrested in Sajek, released later
Five innocent Jumma villagers have been arrested but released later in Sajek under Rangamati district.
They were arrested when a group of army personnel from Baghaihat zone raided the
The arrested are Pochondo Kumar Chakma (26) son of Chikonya Chakma, Buddha Kumar Chakma (35) son of Kanu Chakma, Bishukko Chakma (25) son of Kanu Chakma, Protimoy Chakma (45) and Chikonya Chakma (20) son of Gojallya Chakma.
They were taken to Baghaihat zone and were subjected to mental torture.
However, they were released at
Before their release, the arrested Jummas were forced to sign a pledge stating that they would not get involved in “any terrorist activities”.
The Second-in-Command of the zone talked to the village elders at the zone headquarters.
He told them that his men had gone to the village and arrested those five after they received information that a group of terrorists were staying there.
The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) has condemned the arrest.
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