[🇧🇩] Chittagong Hill Tracts----A Victim of Indian Intervention

[Bilal9]

It is important to make people aware about India sponsored Shanti Bahini's heinous crimes against Bengali people in Chittagong Hill Tracts. I have put up the pictures of dead people to show the brutality of Shanti Bahini with whom Awami League has signed a peace treaty in 1997. Those Shanti Bahini terrorists should have been hanged for the brutal murders of Bengalis and Tribal people in Chittagong Hill Tracts. Alas! those terrorists are roaming freely in Chittagong Hill Tracts which, as a Bengali, I cannot tolerate anymore.

I understand your anger. But you have to proceed with tact and pre-meditated thought-through planning to eliminate these terrorists (I won't call them insurgents - they are far worse, and are vagrant settlers occupying the area illegally). Slash and burn approach among civilians will raise sympathy from the backers of these people which are "sob-sister" human rights outfits. You have seen in some videos why the BGB people are getting beat up in the streets by these people and don't raise a peep - much less fire bullets. BGB restraint is commendable. All in good time, sabr - waqt ayega....

These people have no right to live there if they treat Police and BGB law and order maintainers with criminal impunity like this.

The main problem is that the area is remote to us but not to them - they move in that area with impunity because we haven't strengthened our presence there. They need to be uprooted once and for all - permanently. The way to do that is improve communication logistics and intensify patrols. Night vision cameras, drones, thermal IR equipped snipers all help, but we need to deploy more people there. The lessons learned from the Colombians on drug gangs in the mountains will help.

If these people want to live in peace like human beings, they should do so. Otherwise they can cross the border and go into Chin territory and cause trouble there.

 

[Saif]

They need to be uprooted once and for all - permanently. The way to do that is improve communication logistics and intensify patrols. Night vision cameras, drones, thermal IR equipped snipers all help, but we need to deploy more people there. The lessons learned from the Colombians on drug gangs in the mountains will help.

You will be happy to know that Bangladesh army is building border roads in Chittagong Hill Tracts to improve the communication system there. Once completed these border roads will help the army to chase the terrorists and to reduce terrorism committed by the India sponsored terror outfits.

 

[Bilal9]

You will be happy to know that Bangladesh army is building border roads in Chittagong Hill Tracts to improve the communication system there. Once completed these border roads will help the army to chase the terrorists and to reduce terrorism committed by the India sponsored terror outfits.

Yes the main artery is a great idea , but the long-term idea is to increase patrols along the border and build as many sub-divisional roads as possible (even if unpaved for now) into remote areas, for ease of increasing patrols. Once the infra is built, and law and order established - these criminals won't have easy respite by running away.

The Indians are already fencing the border with Chin state, which is an unstable entity. We should do the same.

 

[Saif]

India is allowing anti Bangladesh activities on her soil. This is an unfriendly act which could boomerang on India.

 

[Saif]

Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh integral part of India: Chakma bodies of Tripura

Chakma National Council of India and Tripura Chakma Students Association, who have observed August 17 as ‘Black Day’ since 2016, held protests across 11 locations of Tripura.

indianexpress.com

Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh integral part of India: Chakma bodies of Tripura​

Chakma National Council of India and Tripura Chakma Students Association, who have observed August 17 as ‘Black Day’ since 2016, held protests across 11 locations of Tripura.​

Written by Debraj Deb
Agartala | Updated: August 17, 2019 22:08 IST
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Chakma National Council of India and Tripura Chakma Students Association have been observing ‘Black Day’ on August 17 for three years now.

After seven decades of independence, people of Chakma ethnic community living in Tripura have claimed Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to be ‘integral part’ of India and demanded justice from the International Court of Justice citing grounds of ethnic persecution.

Chakma National Council of India and Tripura Chakma Students Association, who have observed August 17 as ‘Black Day’ since 2016, held protests across 11 locations of Tripura including Agartala, Kanchanpur, Pecharthal, Kumarghat, Manu, Chailengta, Chowmanu, Gandacherra, Natunbazaar, Silachari and Birchandramanu this year.
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[Saif]

The CHT Peace Accord: Progress made, but needs full implementation

The UNPFII recently acknowledged the Peace Accord implementation progress. This poses a question: to what extent has Bangladesh actually succeeded in its implementation?

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The CHT Peace Accord: Progress made, but needs full implementation
The UNPFII recently acknowledged the Peace Accord implementation progress. This poses a question: to what extent has Bangladesh actually succeeded in its implementation?

The Chittagong Hill Tracts come alive during the Biju, Boisu, Bishu, Bihu, Sangrai, and Bangla New Year celebrations, with the lush hills and valleys painted in vibrant hues of festivities. Photo: Riben Dhar

The Chittagong Hills Tracts Peace Accord is an important peace accord between Bangali and ethnic communities in Bangladesh. Although almost 25 years have passed since the accord was signed, the full implementation of the accord is still a hot topic in civil society.

Amidst the pessimism surrounding the issue, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) recently acknowledged the Peace Accord implementation progress. This poses a question: to what extent has Bangladesh actually succeeded in its implementation?

The discontent among the CHT ethnic communities dates back to the creation of Bangladesh when the Manabendra Larma headed delegation failed to ensure cultural and linguistic autonomy from the newly formed Bangladesh government. Soon, that culminated into the creation of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana-Samhati Samiti, with an armed faction called Shanti Bahini.

Despite the Bangladesh government providing economic assistance and development endeavours through the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB), the hill community has over the years turned deeply resentful, which helped stoke the fire of ethnic Jumma nationalism.

The CHT Peace Accord was signed on 2 December 1997, by the then Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Chief Whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah (on behalf of the government) and Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma (on behalf of the Jumma community).

The CHT Peace Accord had a constitutional basis unlike the Rangamati Hill District Council Act 1989, which had been accepted by both parties. The accord gave recognition to the special status of the hill people, which authorised forming a Regional Council representing the local government council.

To supervise the body, a Ministry of Tribal Affairs was also set up to look into the affairs of CHT. Under the Accord, the allowance of permanent cantonments was preserved, while temporary army, ansar and village defense forces were to be gradually withdrawn.

The Accord ensures full land ownership rights to respective owners, and gives back to the hill people the land that was forcibly taken from them.

However, what complicates the scenario is the hostile attitude of the CHT militia faction, absence of a third party monitoring the implementation process, a strong government body to facilitate the implementation, and regional geopolitics affecting border security and ethnic minority community peace.

The United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) are involved in a conflict of their own, and often engage in gun clashes with each other. According to media reports, Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) and Marma National Party (MNP) - who were once former members of UPDF and PCJSS - are also growing as separate active armed organisations in the region.

These ultra-national and ultra-communal militia forces are in fact different factions with the same roots of origin, and they now want to establish their own ethnic autonomy – ultimately transforming the environment into a hostile one.

The CHT is an integral part of Bangladesh's territory. The government cannot, therefore, ignore these multifaceted interests pervading in this region. The Chakma community may have led the 1997 Peace Accord, but now hundreds of other small ethnic community movements have appeared, who might not have been taken into consideration at that time.

To implement the clauses fully, maybe it's time to proactively engage the smaller ethnic communities altogether.

Obviously, the picture is not entirely bleak. The government claims to have successfully implemented 48 out of 72 provisions, which is however often countered by the PCJSS and others. Nonetheless, it has successfully implemented important provisions such as demobilisation, disarmament, re-integration and prisoner release, soon after the signing. It was an immediate step to improve and better the violent conditions of the CHT.

Bangladesh now has a fully-functioning-dedicated Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs. The special rights have enabled the hills community to be mainstreamed into the Bangladesh society; especially the quota system in public universities and public service commission that have enabled the hill people to gain considerable momentum in Bangladeshi society. However, the question remains over accommodation, or assimilation, of the ethnic community into Bangladeshi nationalism.

Be that as it may, the ethnic community is certainly at a better socio-economic place than at previous times, partly due to the development and infrastructural changes made in the CHT region.

Another reason for the difficulty of implementation of the Peace Accord is the ultra-nationalist ethnic politics emerging in South Asia. Despite steady economic growth, South Asian ethnic communalism is tending towards instability and unpredictability in recent times.

The failed strategic parity of India-Pakistan, a growing affinity towards India-China cooperation, Myanmar's ethnic violence, persecution of the Rohingya, India's ultra-nationalist separatism in the Northeast, are all affecting their close neighbors.

Bangladesh can't resist the tidal waves when its border is surrounded by India and Myanmar.

The latest case of Kuki-Chin National Front's (KNF) reported nexus with Jamaatul Sharqiya perhaps is a new phenomenon. KNF's rivalry with UPDF and other ethnic separatist forces has often resulted in bloodbaths, turning peaceful villages into conflict zones.

Strategic analysts have also pointed out to the fact South Asian cross-border smuggling and terrorism has inevitable linkages to the instability in the CHT region. Bangladesh has already launched months-long 'special drives' against KNF, yet the porous border and hilly terrain are constraining the operation's ultimate success.

In order to ensure security of its own border, Bangladesh needs to refocus on the full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord.

What the UNPF praises is the progress that has been made on the Accord. One cannot deny that certain provisions such as demobilisation, reintegration and mainstreaming of the ethnic community have been implemented successfully. Progress has been made, but now it's time to move towards the full implementation. The key issues that still need to be addressed are specifically land acquisition and ownership, decentralisation, and ensuring ethnic minority rights.

Neither can the government do this alone, nor should the voices of minorities be unheard. What is required is a strong willpower to move towards dispute settlement and right recognition; only then can the CHT communal grievance be ameliorated.

 

[Saif]

India's involvement in CHT insurgency.

 

[Saif]

Armed criminals attack joint check post of police, army in Bandarban

Armed criminals today attacked a joint check post of army and police at 26 mile Dim hilly area in Bandarban's Thanchi-Alikadam border

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Armed criminals attack joint check post of police, army in Bandarban

Dim Hill. Image: Google Maps

Armed criminals today attacked a joint check post of army and police in Bandarban's Thanchi-Alikadam border.

The incident took place around 1:00am in 26 mile Dim hill area, reports our Chattogram staff correspondent quoting Alikadam Police Station OC Tabidur Rahman.

He said, "In the early hours today, armed criminals on a vehicle tried to run through a joint check post of police and army. At that time, a gunfight broke out between the groups."

However, no casualties were reported till now.

Police and army are alert at the spot, he added.

Earlier, a gunfight broke out between police and KNF members in Thanchi Bazar area of Bandarban around 8:30pm.

BGB and army joined the police when the firing started in Thanchi Bazar and surrounding areas.

An hour later, around 9:30pm, the shooting stopped.​

 

[Saif]

Govt takes firm stance against armed activities in CHT: Quader

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today, stated that the government has adopted a firm stance against the ongoing armed activities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) region

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Govt takes firm stance against armed activities in CHT: Quader

File photo

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today, stated that the government has adopted a firm stance against the ongoing armed activities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) region.

"The government is aware of the armed activities in Chattogram Hill Tracts. A joint-drive is going on there. So, the situation will come under control soon," he said while speaking at an Eid gift distribution ceremony at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital this morning.

The AL general secretary said a small ethnic group has started some armed activities in the CHT. This ethnic group is not found in Rangamati and Khagrachari, but only found in Bandarban.

"Some of the youths of this ethnic group are staging demonstrations with arms. Law enforcement forces are conducting a joint operation there in this regard," he said.

Hoping that the situation will get normal soon, Quader said there is no reason to think that the entire CHT will be in turmoil due to the armed activities of these ethnic people.​

 

[Saif]

Kalpana Chakma abduction case dismissed

A Rangamati court on Tuesday accepted the final report submitted by the police clearing all suspects in a case filed over the disappearance of...

www.newagebd.net

Kalpana Chakma abduction case dismissed
Staff Correspondent 24 April, 2024, 00:00

Kalpana Chakma

A Rangamati court on Tuesday accepted the final report submitted by the police clearing all suspects in a case filed over the disappearance of Chittagong Hill Tracts-based woman leader Kalpana Chakma in 1996.

The court also rejected a no-confidence petition submitted by Kalpana's brother, Kalindi Kumar Chakma, on the final report submitted by police clearing the suspects, including army's Lieutenant Ferdous Kaisar Khan in the case.

On October 19, 2016, Kalindi filed a no-confidence petition before the court, rejecting a police final report submitted in September 2016 that cleared all suspects.

'We got such a kind of order from the court after 28 years of abduction, which is unfortunate,' Kalindi said after the court order.

Jewel Dewan, Rajib Chakma, and Susmita Chakma represented Kalindi in court.

'We will seek a criminal revision in this matter and will go to the high court challenging the order if needed,' said Jewel.

Kalindi filed the case with the Baghaichari police station after Kalpana's disappearance following her abduction in 1996.

Kalpana Chakma, 23, was allegedly abducted from her house in Baghaichari on June 12, 1996, several hours before the 7th national election.

She was campaigning for independent candidate Bijoy Ketan Chakma, then a senior presidium member of the Pahari Gana Parishad.

Kalpana's family alleged that none of the investigating officers interrogated the suspects— army's Lieutenant Ferdous Kaisar Khan, who is now retired from the service, Village Defence Party member Nurul Huq, and police constable Saleh Ahmed.

The government informed the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances that Hill Women's Federation organising secretary Kalpana Chakma remained missing after her abduction in Baghaichari, Rangamati, on June 12, 1996.

In June 2022, the government submitted its updated report on 76 cases of disappearance that had been reported to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights over the years.​

 

[Saif]

Indian foreign minister Joyshankar blames the separation of Bangladesh from India for turmoil in North-East India. The video also talks about India's efforts to dismember Bangladesh by aiding insurgency in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

 

[Saif]

UPDF activist shot dead in Khagrachhari

An activist of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Santi Bikash Karbaripara in Dighinala upazila early today

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UPDF activist shot dead in Khagrachhari

An activist of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Santi Bikash Karbaripara in Dighinala upazila early today.

The deceased, identified as Junel Chakma, 31, was an organiser of the Tarabunia unit of UPDF (Prasit Group) from Amtoli village in the upazila.

Junel had recently joined the UPDF from the Democratic Jubo Forum.

According to Nurul Haque, officer-in-charge of Dighinala Police Station, unidentified individuals entered the house of Master Lalit Chakma in the Kangarima Chara area early in the morning, where Junel was staying, and killed him.

Upon receiving the information, police recovered the body.

However, Angya Marma, district organiser of UPDF, accused the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS-Santu group) of being responsible for the killing and demanded justice.​

 

[Saif]

The CHT accord cannot be implemented fully as it directly contradicts our constitution. It is my understanding that the GoB needs to actively consider the possibility of cancelling the CHT accord in the future.

Implement CHT accord fully

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord Implementation Movement has called on the interim government to develop a clear and actionable plan with specific deadlines and mechanisms to ensure accountability in order to fully implement the CHT Accord.

www.thedailystar.net

Implement CHT accord fully
Demands CHT Accord Implementation Movement

File photo

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord Implementation Movement has called on the interim government to develop a clear and actionable plan with specific deadlines and mechanisms to ensure accountability in order to fully implement the CHT Accord.

Representatives of the movement made the call at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity yesterday, stressing that it was essential to implement the core elements of the accord, which remained largely unfulfilled for 26 years, to establish peace and stability in the CHT region.

They presented a seven-point demand in this regard.

The demands also include: ending military supervision in CHT region; empowering the regional councils and the CHT three district councils under the Accord, ensuring democratic, representative, and effective local governance; ensuring land rights and rehabilitation for people of CHT; integrating them into the country's mainstream economic progress; reserving special seats for indigenous people in all local government bodies in the plainland districts; and establishing a separate land commission for the indigenous people of plainlands to address their specific needs and challenges.

Khairul Chowdhury, a teacher of sociology department at Dhaka University and also joint coordinator of the movement, presented the demands.

To implement these demands, the movement proposed five immediate actions to the government, including reconstitution of the CHT Accord Implementation Committee, urgent reform of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission, initiating dialogue with the Regional Council, and reconstitution of the advisory council to the CHT affairs ministry.

Prof Robaet Ferdous of DU's mass communication and journalism department, said it was time to address the oppression faced by indigenous communities in the hills.

"For the past 50 years, people in the hill areas have been living under harsh military rule. If the country's 61 other districts have democratic governance, why should three remaining districts be under military control?" he asked.

Dipayan Khisa of the Adivasi Forum and Myentthein Promila of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum also spoke, while Jakir Hossain, joint coordinator of the movement, moderated the event.​

 

[Saif]

CHT tense as 4 killed in violence

Four people were killed and at least 72 others injured as violence flared up in Rangamati town and Khagrachhari’s Dighinala and Sadar upazilas yesterday.

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CHT tense as 4 killed in violence
72 injured, several by gunshots; section 144 imposed in Khagrachhari, Rangamati towns; dozens of shops, houses vandalised

People from indigenous communities demonstrate at the capital’s Shahbagh intersection yesterday protesting Thursday’s arson attacks in Khagrachhari’s Dighinala upazila. They demanded punishment for the attackers and probe into violations of human rights of the indigenous people in the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Photo: Prabir Das

Four people were killed and at least 72 others injured as violence flared up in Rangamati town and Khagrachhari's Dighinala and Sadar upazilas yesterday.

The authorities imposed section 144, which restricts assembly of three or more people, on Khagrachhari and Rangamati towns.

In Dighinala, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Mamunur Rashid said at least 102 shops were burnt down. Of the shops, 72 belong to the indigenous people, and the rest to Bangalees.

No homes were attacked, he added.

However, locals said that on Thursday, several houses were set on fire in Dighinala, and residents fled their villages out of fear.

Yesterday, clashes between Bangalee and indigenous people took place in Rangamati town, spreading fear among locals.

The clashes began after a group of Bangalee people attacked a procession of the indigenous communities, witnesses said.

People of the town spent the day in panic amid tension between the communities.

Most of the markets and shops were closed in the two district towns and the roads were mostly empty.

Police and hospital sources in Khagrachhari identified three of the deceased as Dhananjoy Chakma, 50, Rubel Tripura, 25, and Junan Chakma, 20.

Hospital sources said Dhananjoy's body bore marks of blunt trauma. He died in Dighinala on Thursday night. The two others got shot in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila and died around 1:30am yesterday at Adhunik Sadar Hospital.

The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) in a statement yesterday evening said three people were killed and several others injured during an exchange of fire as the army retaliated in self-defence when UPDF (main) members fired on an army patrol team in the Swanirvar area of Khagrachhari town on Thursday night.

"An army patrol team of Khagrachhari zone while taking a critically wounded patient [to safety] came under a gun attack by UPDF terrorists," the ISPR added.

Besides, an unidentified man aged around 20 was brought dead to Rangamati General Hospital. The man was hit in the head during a clash between indigenous and Bangalee people.

Ahsan Habib Palash, deputy inspector general at Chattogram Range Police, said, "Police and security forces are jointly patrolling the areas to keep the situation under control. Gunshots were heard in Khagrachhari town [on Thursday night]."

Adhunik Sadar Hospital's Resident Medical Officer Ripal Bappi Chakma said, "Nine injured individuals from Dighinala and Sadar upazilas are now admitted here. Four others were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for better treatment."

Sources said the four were shot in the leg, waist and abdomen.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir last night in a statement said the people have been freed from the "Awami fascist regime", but the country remains unsafe due to violence.

"Perpetrators are desperate to destabilise the country. This is why people are being brutally attacked, killed, or seriously injured. The incidents of casualties in Khagrachhari and Rangamati are a cruel manifestation of this," he said.

Fakhrul also called for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attacks, urging authorities to restore peace and security.

RANGAMATI VIOLENCE

Indigenous people and students were marching yesterday morning in Rangamati town in protest of the attacks on properties of indigenous communities in Dighinala.

The clash began after a group of Bangalees attacked the procession at Bonorupa Bazar around 10:30am, witnesses said.

Both groups then engaged in fierce clashes hurling bricks at each other. Several shops, vehicles, and businesses were vandalised and set on fire in the neighbourhoods where indigenous communities are predominant.

The neighbourhoods include Kalindipur, Bijon Sarani, Dewan Para, and Tridip Nagar.

The CHT Regional Council office was also ransacked and set on fire. Vehicles parked on the premises were torched. Attackers also vandalised and looted Maitri Bihar, a temple at Bonorupa of the indigenous people, around 12:00pm.

Tritimoy Chakma, a member of the temple management committee, said a box in which people put money for monks was looted.

Sowkat Akbar, RMO at Rangamati General Hospital, said, "At least 54 people were taken there and a man aged around 20 was declared dead. Nineteen of the injured needed inpatient care while three others with serious injuries were sent to Chattogram."

Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Sahiduzzaman said, "Gunshots were heard in Panchhari and several other areas. Our teams are working to maintain law and order. Army, BGB and police are patrolling the streets."

The ISPR said that on Thursday a procession denouncing the killing of a man by a mob was passing through the Boalkhali market area when members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) attacked the protestors, firing 20-30 bullets. The enraged crowd then set fire to several shops in the Boalkhali market.

Clashes began after that, and the situation was brought under control when an army patrol arrived at the scene.

Following the incident, tension spread across Khagrachhari town, Dighinala, Panchhari, and nearby areas.

The ISPR urged everyone to maintain peace and harmony in the hill districts.​

 

[Saif]

Khagrachhari, Rangamati: ‘Culprits behind violence will be brought to book’

The government has made an urgent appeal for peace in the three hill districts, following the recent unrest in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, affirming its dedication to resolving the crisis.

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Khagrachhari, Rangamati: ‘Culprits behind violence will be brought to book’
Chief adviser urges all to remain calm

The government has made an urgent appeal for peace in the three hill districts, following the recent unrest in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, affirming its dedication to resolving the crisis.

A high-powered probe committee would soon be formed to investigate all incidents of violence, and those responsible would be brought to book, according to a press statement issued from the chief adviser's office yesterday.

Besides, a high-level government delegation, led by the home adviser, is expected to visit Khagrachhari and Rangamati today, the statement said.

The delegation includes the Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs adviser, the local government adviser, and the special assistant to the chief adviser for defence and national solidarity development.

"The government is deeply saddened and distressed by the ongoing attacks, assaults, and loss of life following the mob beating of an individual on September 18," it read.

The authorities have been instructed to ensure proper medical care for all the injured.

All law enforcement agencies have been instructed to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure the safety of all residents in the three hill districts. The government is committed to ensuring peace, harmony, and unity in the region, the statement said.

Everyone is urged not to take the law into their own hands or engage in destructive activities. Taking the law into one's own hands and destroying any property is a heinous crime and a punishable offence, it added.​