BGB complicity in the Longudu arson attack alleged

JUMMA leaders in Longudu have alleged that members of the Border Guards Bangladesh were complicit in the arson attacks on two Jumma villages on 17 February.

They made the allegation while speaking to a team of journalists who visited Longudu yesterday, Friday.

The following report has been prepared on the basis of a communication from one of the four journalists who visited the place of occurrence.

A. Origin of the incident
On 15 February, two settler Bengalis – Saber Ali and Md. Shahid – from Rahamatpur village under Gulchakhali Union of Longudu Upazila in Rangamati district went to a nearby jungle in Gulchakhali area to collect Phuljharu (Mio in Chakma).

While Md. Shahid returned from work, Saber Ali did not. On Wednesday morning, his lifeless body was found lying on Rangipara road.

The settlers blamed the Jummas for his death although they failed to provide any kind of evidence in support of their claim, and on Thursday, 17 February, the Sama Odhikar Andolon, a platform of the settler Bengalis, staged a demonstration at Longudu Upazila headquarters chanting anit-Jumma slogans.

The settlers also beat up two Jumma students – Apilo Chakma, 20, of Shijokmukh village in Baghaichari and Mongolaion Chakma, 15, of Simana Para villae in Barkal. They were admitted to Rangamati Sadar Hospital with serious wounds.

In the evening of Thursday, 17 February, the settlers attacked two villages – Ranjitpara in Gulchakhali Union and Rangipara in Bogachotor Union.

The settlers beat up Shukra Chakma and his wife during the attack in Rangipara. Their daughter’s wedding ceremony was scheduled to take place the following day. It was foiled.

According to Sukho Moy Chakma, former chairman of Longudu Sadar Union, and Mongol Kanti Chakma, incumbent chairman of Attarokchara union, the settlers set 22 houses belonging to the Jumma people afire. The settlers were also engaged in widespread looting.

They said a team of BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh) personnel arrived at Rangipara when they knew of the beating of the two Jummas. The settlers had not set fire to the houses by then.

“As soon as the BGB men reached the spot, the settlers began to set fire to the houses.” they added.

At least 22 houses and a BRAC-run school have been burnt to ashes.

B. Name of those whose houses were torched

RanjitPara

1. Singha Moni Chakma, 45, son of Atendra Chakma, properties worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
2. Doya Moy Chakma, 60, son of late Jagulukya Chakma, properties worth Taka 60 thousand were damaged or looted.
3. Swapan Chakma, 35, son of Kshetra Mohan Chakma, properties worth Taka 250,000 were damaged or looted.
4. Basanti Lata Chakma, 60, w/o late Gyana Ratan Chakma, properties worth Taka 70 thousand were damaged or looted.
5. Sneha Kumar Chakma, 26, son of Ranjit Chakma, properties worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
6. Milon Chakma, 35, son of Ranjit Chakma, properties worth Taka 100 thousand were damaged or looted.
7. Montu Chakma, 45, son of Sumoti Kumar Chakma, properties worth Taka 100 thousand were damaged or looted.
8. Bimal Kanti Chakma, 45, son of late Birendra Chakma, properties worth Taka 100 thousand were damaged or looted.
9. Gyana Lal Chakma, 45, son of Kali Charan Chakma, properties worth Taka 70 thousand were damaged or looted.
10. Chandu Chakma, 35, son of Mon Mohan Chakma, properties worth Taka 150 thousand were damaged or looted.
11. Mon Mohan Chakma, 65, son of Jonmojoy Chakma, properties worth Taka 200 thousand were damaged or looted.
12. Priti Moy Chakma, 35, son of Box Chakma, properties worth Taka 100 thousand were damaged or looted.
13. Sona Ram Chakma, 52, son of late Kebol Chandra Chakma, properties worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
14. Shambhu Ranjan Chakma, 50, son of Baro Bandhu Chakma, properties worth Taka 70 thousand were damaged or looted.
15. Shushil Kumar Chakma, 35, son of late Badsha Dhan Chakma, properties worth Taka 60 thousand were damaged or looted.
16. Binoy Chakma, 28, son of late Badsha Dhan Chakma, properties worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
17. Sukho Moy Chakma, 35, son of Rajeeb Chandra Chakma, properties worth Taka 60 thousand were damaged or looted.
18. Buddha Dhan Chakma, 33, son of Modon Kumar Chakma, properties worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
19. A BRAC school.

Rangipara
1. Shukra Chakma, 50, son of late Pradeep Chandra Chakma, properties worth Taka 200 thousand were damaged or looted.
2. Omiyo Kanti Chakma, 45, son of late Dhirendra Chakma, properties worth Taka 200 thousand were damaged or looted.
3. Amalendu Chakma, 40, son of Baro Bandhu Chakma, properties worth Taka 150 thousand were damaged or looted.
4. Ripon Chakma, 28, son of Ramesh Chandra Chakma, properties worth Taka 80 thousand were damaged or looted.

C. Law and order meeting
On Friday, a meeting was held at Longudu Upazila Parishad Auditorium to review the law and order situation of the area.

At the meeting, an inquiry committee was constituted with Longudu Upazila Nirbahi Officer, A. F. M. Fazle Rabbi as its head to probe the incident. The committee will submit its findings within 15 days.

The other members of the inquiry committee included vice chairman of Longudu Upazila Md. Janey Alam, chairman of Gulchakhali Union Council Abu Taleb, president of Longudu Upazila Awami League Abdul Barek Sarkar, chairman of Attarok Chara Union Parishad Mongol Kanti Chakma, chairman of Longudu Sadar Union Shuko Moy Chakma and Binoy Karbari.
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Source : chtnews.com