While incidents of vigilante violence and human rights abuses by army reduced to some extent, land grab attempts by the Bengali settlers continued throughout the month under review. Maischari in Khagrachari district saw most of the cases of land grab attempts, where the army is often blamed for backing or even inciting the settlers. The army is also blamed for attempting to grab land in Sajek of Rangamati district for constructing a camp although there is a police camp barely 500 yards from their chosen site.
In Lama of Bandarban district employees of the Lama Rubber Industries have been accused of preventing two Mro families from cultivating their own wet land, which makes it clear that the company have not yet abandoned its scheme to occupy 400 acres of land belonging to indigenous Mro and Tripura communities. This is despite widespread criticism and protests over its role in the area in the last few years.
In July, at least two Jumma villagers were arrested, while military raids and torture and harassment of the indigenous peoples were also reported.
There was no report of sexual violence, but a high court decision to grant bail to a convicted rapist angered human rights defenders and feminist organisations.
Two former members of a vigilante group were killed in Khagrachari. They had reportedly fallen out with their leader a few months before the killing.
VIGILANTE VIOLENCE
A.Vigilantes shoot at villager, loot house
On 18 July, at around 4 p. m, the army and a group of vigilantes backed by them raided the village of Bhuioadam in Ghilachari Union under Naniachar Upazila of Rangamati district.
At that time a villager, Rupesh Chakma, also known as Riktobap, 37, son of Shanti Kumar Chakma was buying something at Swapna Chakma’s shop.
A vigilante named Milton Tanchangya saw him and fired shots indiscriminately at him, without warning, but the man escaped unhurt.
Thereafter, Milton and two other vigilantes – Sumon Chakma, 42, son of Purno Kumar Chakma of village Bhuioadam and Jonel Chakma – searched a house belonging to Alo Bikash Chakma, 43, son of Shanti Priyo Chakma and stole Taka 9,000, his national ID card, driving license and other valuables.
Before leaving, they put a home-made gun in the house.
The vigilantes also tried to take away his daughter Eva Chakma’s school documents, but when she protested, they left them behind.
They then took photographs of her after placing the gun (which they left in the house) in her hands. Eva is a tenth grade student studying in a nearby school.
The army personnel were present there observing all that was going on.
After the raid was over, they headed back towards Rangamati together, eyewitnesses said.
According to them, the army, who came from Rangamati Sadar zone, used a black-coloured microbus, while the vigilantes a red-coloured Pajero jeep and hoisted a flag similar to ones used by Buddhist monks in the CHT.
B.Two ex-vigilantes killed in Khagrachari
On 26 July, Pritimoy Chakma alias Tujim, 45, and Gyanamoy Chakma alias Alopon, 40, were shot dead at Alutila in Khagrachari district. Both of them were former members of a military-backed vigilante group led by Shyamal Kanti Chakma.
According to sources, the victims had fallen out with him over division of extortion money a few months ago, left the group and joined the reformist faction of the PCJSS.
- TORTURE
C.Two Jummas tortured in Jurachari
On 7 July, two Jumma youth were physically tortured by army in Jurachari in Rangamati district. One of them is 15-year old Rubel Chakma, he is a ninth grade student. His father’s name is Shanti Raj Chakma.
The other one has been identified as Shanti Chakma, 24, son of Marangey Chakma. Both of them hail from Anandapara village, also known as Labour Para, in Jurachari Upazila Sadar area.
A contingent of Bangladesh Army led by a Warrant Officer from Jokka Bazar camp picked up Shanti Chakma and Rubel Chakma from a rivulet named Bhodramachara near their village. It was around 7 pm, and they were catching crabs there.
The army took them to the camp and tortured them badly. On hearing the news of their arrest, the youth’s parents and other village elders went to the camp and pleaded with the camp commander to release them. And they were released at 9 PM.
- ARREST
One motorbike driver arrested in Sajek
On 13 July, the army arrested Sumeth Chakma, 35, from Baghaihat Bazar station in Sajek Union of Rangamati district.
He was carrying a passenger on his motorbike from Dighinala when soldiers from Baghaihat zone army camp halted him at about 1 pm. They first took him to the camp and then handed him over to the police three hours later.
Sumeth Chakma son of Badi Chakma is a resident of Dojori Hagalachara village under Ward No. 4 in Sajek Union.
The reason for his arrest could not be known.
One arrested in Mahalchari
On 19 July, Atul Chakma, 45, a former member of the UPDF and a resident of Upper Kengelchari under War No. 9 of Mahalchari Sadar Union, was arrested after the vigilantes handed him over to the police in Mahalchari Thana in Khagrachari district.
According to sources, at 9 a. m. a vigilante named Dhorjyo asked Atul Chakma son of Sudhir Chandra Chakma to see him at Chobbish Mile.
When he arrived at the designated location at 12 noon, vigilante members Ebong Chakma, Sumonto Chakma alias Kalamila Bap and Prakash Chakma and JSS Reformist member Tonel Chakma took him to another place and handed him over to the police.
The police then took him to Mahalchari police station and at 2 p. m. sent him to Khagrachari. It has not been immediately known what charges have been brought against him.
- RAIDS AND HARASSMENT
Army confiscates mobile phones in Laxmichari
On the night of 18 July, soldiers from Laxmichari Sadar zone confiscated mobile phones of six villagers including a Mouza headman in Shuknachari under Laxmichari Upazila in Khagrachari district.
It was 10 p. m. and some villagers were hanging out at a shop in the village when the army men were on their way to Shuknachari army camp. The soldiers got down from their vehicles and immediately snatched the phones from Shanti Mohan Chakma, 45, headman of Muktochari Mouza No. 84 and son of late Nikunjoy Chakma; Umesh Chakma, 40, son of late Mongol Dhan Chakma; Kalayon Chakma, 28, son of Sudikya Chakma; Clinton Chakma, 25, son of Kamani Kumar Chakma; Kilinya Chakma, 22, son of Bindu Kumar Chakma and Mintu Chakma.
All of them are residents of Shuknachari village.
Army raids Jumma house in Baghaichari
On the night of 23 July, a group of army personnel from Baghaihat zone searched the house of Bhukto Chakma, 40, son of Dhana Chakma in the village of Bongoltoli under Baghaicahri Upazila in Rangamati district.
According to our sources, around 11 p. m, the soldiers, accompanied by vigilantes, drove to the village in two military vehicles, encircled and broke into Bhukto Chakma’s house before conducting the search.
They rummaged through the house and threw things on the floor, including husked rice, apparently searching for any incriminating materials such as unlicensed weapons or documents. However, nothing of the sort was found, and the army and vigilantes went back after an hour or so.
Of the vigilantes who joined the raid, Asentu Chakma, Sumon Chakma and Riken Chakma were recognized by Bhukto Chakma and his family members. The first two are former members of the UPDF, expelled from the party for financial embezzlement.
In November, one woman from Marma community was gang-raped in Manikchari of Khagrachari district, while three teen aged girls were subjected to attempted rape by illegal Bengali settlers. Four of the perpetrators were arrested including those involved in the gang rape case. In the other two attempted rape incidents, no cases have been filed.
Vigilante violence has also been reported in the month under review. One ex-member of Union Council was kidnapped in Rangamati town by army-backed vigilantes. The man was later handed over to the army, who released him after interrogation. The vigilantes also beat up a villager in Naniachar because they suspected him to be a member of UPDF.
The settlers attempted to grab land in Langudu of Rangamati district. After the villagers destroyed the houses built illegally on the Jumma’s land, the settlers attacked and looted the Buddhist temple of the village. Although the settlers dismantled the houses, the local administration unjustly made the land owner to pay Taka 50,000 to the land thieves as reparation for the damage caused to the houses. However, no compensation was paid for the looted materials of the temple.
- Ex-UP Member kidnapped by vigilantes, released by army
On 8 October, Ranjan Bikash Chakma, 50, an ex-member of Burighat Union Council in Naniachar Upazila, was kidnapped from Samata-ghat in Rangamati town by members of a vigilante group.
However, he was released 3 hours later at 4 p.m. from Rangamati zone headquarters.
Mr. Chakma, a resident of Shoileshchari, Naniachar, went to the town to sell fruits (Malta) he grew in his garden.
He was at a friend’s shop at Samata-ghat when 4-5 vigilantes led by Milton Tanchangya kidnapped him at gun point.
They took him to a hotel at Reserve Bazar in the eastern corner of the town, where he was kept for about two hours.
During this time, Milton spoke to the 2-IC (Second-in-Command) of Naniachar zone, who is known as Monu Mian to the local people, over mobile phone and asked him if he knew Ranjan Bikash Chakma.
Later when two intelligence personnel (one of them was Mohammed Belal) went to meet the kidnappers, they handed him over to them.
Thereafter, the intelligence personnel drove him to Rangamati zone headquarters, where he was met by zone commander, Ashikur Rahman.
The commander checked the contact list of Mr. Chakma’s mobile phone, asked about some of the contacts and when satisfied with his answers, released him.
Although the vigilantes did not demand any ransom for Mr. Chakma’s release, they pressured his friends, who accompanied him to the town, into paying Taka 30 thousand.
2) Vigilantes beat up a villager in Naniachar
On 14 October, the army-backed vigilantes beat up Simanta Chakma, 22, at Rizibili area in Ward No. 9 of Naniachar Union, Rangamati district.
The incident took place at 3 pm, when the victim went to the local village playground to watch a football match.
The vigilantes suspected him to be a member of UPDF and roughed him up.
When an army patrolling party from Naniachar zone reached there, the vigilantes handed him over to them.
Simanta Chakma, son of Montu Chakma from Jorbo Mohanjon-para, was then taken to Naniachar zone, but was released at 7 pm when the local elders pleaded for his innocence.
3) Vigilantes prevent villagers to attend rally in Panchari
On 15 October, the army-backed vigilantes prevented the people from Moratila from participating in a rally organized by Panchari Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee (Committee for Protection of Peoples’ Rights) and CHT Women’s Association (Nari Sangha) to press home their four point demands including withdrawal of cases filed by Border Guard Bangladesh against 600 Jumma men and women including elected public representatives in Panchari, Khagrachari district.
A group of 10 – 12 armed vigilantes led by Lallo Chakma, Pinku Chakma and Amar Jibon Chakma stopped the vehicles carrying the participants at Moratila area, preventing them from taking part in the rally at Logang.
The vigilantes used intimidation and coercion to force them to refrain from attending the rally.
