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

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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...

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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.​

 

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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.

 

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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

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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.​

 

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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.

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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.​

 

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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.​

 

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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.​

 

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তিন পার্বত্য জেলায় পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে সরকার কাজ করছে: প্রধান উপদেষ্টার কার্যালয়

 

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পার্বত্য জেলায় সংঘর্ষ প্রসঙ্গে যা জানাল আইএসপিআর

তিন পার্বত্য জেলায় শান্তি ও সম্প্রীতি বজায় রাখতে সর্বসাধারণকে বিশেষভাবে অনুরোধ জানানো হয়েছে।

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পার্বত্য জেলায় সংঘর্ষ প্রসঙ্গে যা জানাল আইএসপিআর
তিন পার্বত্য জেলায় শান্তি ও সম্প্রীতি বজায় রাখতে সর্বসাধারণকে বিশেষভাবে অনুরোধ জানানো হয়েছে।

পার্বত্য জেলায় উচ্ছৃঙ্খল জনসাধারণের মধ্যে চলমান সংঘর্ষ প্রসঙ্গে বিবরণ দিয়েছে আন্তঃবাহিনী জনসংযোগ পরিদপ্তর (আইএসপিআর)।

আজ শুক্রবার বিকেলে আইএসপিআর এই বিবরণ দিয়েছে।

এতে বলা হয়েছে, গত বুধবার (১৮ সেপ্টেম্বর) খাগড়াছড়ি জেলা সদরে মোটরসাইকেল চুরির ঘটনাকে কেন্দ্র করে কতিপয় উচ্ছৃঙ্খল জনগণের পিটুনিতে মো. মামুন (৩০) নামের এক যুবক নিহত হন। পরে সদর থানা–পুলিশ নিহত ব্যক্তির মরদেহ উদ্ধার করে ময়নাতদন্ত শেষে পরিবারের কাছে হস্তান্তর করে। এই ঘটনাকে কেন্দ্র করে গতকাল বৃহস্পতিবার (১৯ সেপ্টেম্বর) বিকেলে দীঘিনালা কলেজ থেকে একটি বিক্ষোভ মিছিল বের হয়। মিছিলটি দীঘিনালার বোয়ালখালী বাজার অতিক্রম করার সময় ইউপিডিএফের (মূল) কিছু সন্ত্রাসী মিছিলের ওপর হামলা করে ও ২০-৩০টি গুলি ছোড়ে। এ পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে বিক্ষুব্ধ জনতা বোয়ালখালী বাজারের কয়েকটি দোকানে অগ্নিসংযোগ করে।

এই সংঘর্ষ চলাকালে উভয় পক্ষের ৬ জন আহত হলে তাদের চিকিৎসার জন্য দীঘিনালা উপজেলা স্বাস্থ্য কমপ্লেক্স ও খাগড়াছড়ি সদর হাসপাতালে পাঠানো হয়। পরে সেনাবাহিনীর টহল দল ঘটনাস্থলে উপস্থিত হয়ে পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে আনে এবং ফায়ার ব্রিগেড ও স্থানীয় জনসাধারণের সহায়তায় আগুন নেভায়। এই ঘটনার পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে খাগড়াছড়ি জেলা সদর, দীঘিনালা, পানছড়ি ও আশপাশ এলাকায় উত্তেজনা ছড়িয়ে পড়ে। সেই সেঙ্গ কতিপয় স্বার্থান্বেষী মহল সামাজিক যোগাযোগমাধ্যমে গুজব ছড়িয়ে ক্রমেই পরিস্থিতিকে আরও উত্তেজনাকর করে তোলে। দ্রুততার সঙ্গে খাগড়াছড়ি জেলার আইনশৃঙ্খলা পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে আনার জন্য জেলা প্রশাসকের সভাপতিত্বে জরুরি ভার্চ্যুয়াল সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়। সভার সিদ্ধান্ত অনুযায়ী, পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে রাখতে বৃহস্পতিবার রাত ১০টা থেকে খাগড়াছড়ি জেলা সদর, দীঘিনালা ও পানছড়িসহ সব উপজেলায় যৌথভাবে সেনাবাহিনী, বিজিবি, পুলিশ ও আনসার বাহিনীর সমন্বয়ে টহল দেওয়ার সিদ্ধান্ত হয়। পাশাপাশি বিভিন্ন কমিউনিটি লিডারদের (স্থানীয় জনগোষ্ঠীর নেতাদের) সঙ্গে আলাপ–আলোচনা করে সব পক্ষকে সহিংস কর্মকাণ্ড থেকে বিরত থাকার পরামর্শ দিতে বলা হয়।

একই রাতে (১৯ সেপ্টেম্বর) খাগড়াছড়ি জোনের একটি টহল দল রাত সাড়ে ১০টায় একজন মুমূর্ষু রোগীকে স্থানান্তরের সময় খাগড়াছড়ি শহরের স্বনির্ভর এলাকায় পৌঁছালে অবস্থানরত উত্তেজিত জনসাধারণ ইউপিডিএফের (মূল) নেতৃত্বে বাধা সৃষ্টি করে। একসময় ইউপিডিএফের সন্ত্রাসীরা সেনাবাহিনীর টহল দলের সদস্যদের ওপর গুলি করে এবং আত্মরক্ষার্থে সেনাবাহিনী পাল্টা গুলি চালায়। ওই গোলাগুলির ঘটনায় তিনজন নিহত এবং কয়েকজন আহত হয় বলে জানা যায়।

একই ঘটনার ধারাবাহিকতায় খাগড়াছড়ি জেলার পানছড়িতে স্থানীয় উচ্ছৃঙ্খল জনসাধারণ কয়েকজন যুবকের মোটরসাইকেল থামিয়ে তাদের ওপর হামলা ও লাঠিপেটা করে। সেই সঙ্গে উত্তেজিত জনসাধারণ ইউপিডিএফের (মূল) নেতৃত্বে ফায়ার ব্রিগেডের কার্যালয়ে ভাঙচুর করে।

আজ শুক্রবার (২০ সেপ্টেম্বর) সকালে পিসিজেএসএস (পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম জনসংহতি সমিতি) সমর্থিত পাহাড়ি ছাত্র পরিষদ রাঙামাটি জেলা সদরে 'সংঘাত ও বৈষম্যবিরোধী পাহাড়ি ছাত্র আন্দোলন'–এর ব্যানারে স্থানীয় জনসাধারণ রাঙামাটি জিমনেসিয়াম এলাকায় সমবেত হয়। এ সময় ৮০০-১০০০ জন উত্তেজিত জনসাধারণ একটি মিছিল বের করে বনরূপা এলাকার দিকে অগ্রসর হয় এবং বনরূপা বাজার মসজিদ, অগ্রণী ব্যাংক, জনতা ব্যাংক, সিএনজি-অটোরিকশা, মোটরসাইকেল এবং বেশ কিছু দোকানে ভাঙচুর ও অগ্নিসংযোগ করে। এতে উভয় পক্ষের বেশ কিছু লোকজন আহত হয়। উদ্ভূত পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণের লক্ষ্যে রাঙামাটি জেলা সদরে ১৪৪ ধারা জারি করা হয়েছে।

উপরিউক্ত ঘটনাসমূহের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে চলমান উত্তেজনা তিন পার্বত্য জেলায় ভয়াবহ দাঙ্গায় রূপ নিতে পারে বলে আইএসপিআর সতর্ক করেছে। তারা বলেছে, অনতিবিলম্বে নেতৃস্থানীয় ব্যক্তিদের চলমান উত্তেজনা প্রশমনে আইনশৃঙ্খলা রক্ষাকারী বাহিনীকে সহায়তা করার জন্য অনুরোধ জানানো যাচ্ছে। যথাযথ তদন্ত কার্যক্রম সম্পাদনের মাধ্যমে প্রকৃত দোষী ব্যক্তিদের শনাক্তপূর্বক প্রয়োজনীয় আইনানুগ ব্যবস্থা গ্রহণ করা হবে। তিন পার্বত্য জেলায় শান্তি ও সম্প্রীতি বজায় রাখতে সর্বসাধারণকে বিশেষভাবে অনুরোধ জানানো যাচ্ছে।​