An army-backed vigilante group shot and killed four youth leaders in Panchari sub-district of Khagrahcari district on 11 Decmber.
The victims have been identified as Bipul Chakma, organizing secretary of the Democratic Youth Forum, Liton Chakma, vice president of DYF Khagrachari district unit, Sunil Tripura, vice president of the Hill Students’ Council and Ruhin Bikash Tripura, a member of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF).
At around 9.30 pm on 11 December 2023, a group of vigilantes wearing masks under the escort of the Bangladesh Army personnel raided a house at Anil Para village under Panchari Police Station and shot them dead in cold blood.
The vigilantes also kidnapped three UPDF activists namely, Niti Dutta Chakma, Hari Kamal Tripura and Prakash Tripura. On 13 December, someone using a facebook account “Thutu Thutu” uploaded a photograph of these three persons, where they were seen seated on a floor, their hands tied behind their back, with a pistol, a few bullets and some paper documents in front of them.
This photograph proves the involvement of the security forces, exposes collusion between the Bangladesh Army, intelligence agencies and the Jana Samhati Samiti (Santu group) and makes a lie to the claim of the army that they were rescued from Tarabonchara area in Panchari on 14 December.
The involvement of the army in the extra-judicial execution of the four Jumma activists is palpable. The India-based Chakma Development Foundation in a letter to the United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) on 15 December stated:
“Following the extrajudicial execution, in the morning of 12 December 2023, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Panchari Police Station Mr Shafiul Azam sought to visit the crime spot but was prevented from visiting by Major Zobayed Mohammad, the Sub-Zone Commander of Panchari Upazilla. Thereafter, OC Mr Shafiul Azam informed his seniors. At around 12 noon on 12 December 2023, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Khagrachari district Mr Md Jasimuddin accompanied by his colleague, ASP Mr Abu Jafar Mohammed reached Panchari Police Station for the purposes of visiting the crime scene. However, these police officials too were not allowed to visit the crime spot. At around 2.45 pm, Superintendent of Police of Khagrachari district Mrs Mukta Dhara arrived at Panchari and held negotiations with the Bangladesh Army personnel of the Panchari Sub-Zone. Only after the clearance was given by the senior officials of the Bangladesh Army that the dead bodies of the victims could be collected by the Bangladesh Police at 5.30 pm on 12 December 2023 i.e. 19 hours after the murder. If the Bangladesh Army personnel were not involved in the extrajudicial execution of these four indigenous leaders, they would have allowed the Bangladesh Police to visit the crime spot.”
That the local civil administration is also complicit in covering up the incident is evident. On the night of 12 December, the Officer-in-charge of Panchari police station asked Ujjwal Kanti Chakma, uncle of Bipul Chakma, to visit him urgently, and when Mr. Chakma went there, the OC forced him to put his signature on a white paper. The next morning he was dumbfounded to know that a criminal case was filed by him without naming anyone as suspect.
The killing sparked protests all over the CHT as well as in other parts of the country. Many human rights organizations also issued statements condemning the incident. Yet, as of writing this report, the government has failed to arrest any of the perpetrators.
Two Jumma youth beaten up
On 15 December, the army-backed vigilantes beat up two Jumma youths at Guimara bazar in Khagrachari district. They have been identified as Mongshey Marma, 16, son of Mong Hla Pru Marma and Kyaw Hla Marma, 17, son of Shashey Marma. They are residents of Sainguli-para under Hapchari Union in Guimara Upazila.
They went to the bazar to buy daily essentials. Vigilante members Liton and Kader called them names and beat the up.
Armed activities in Manikchari
The vigilantes stepped up their armed activities in Manikchari, Khagrachari district since 13 December. On 14 December, six armed vigilantes went to Nakapa-para to intimidate the people. On 15 December, a group of 15 – 20 vigilantes deployed themselves to Manikchari Upazila (sub-district) headquarters in Khagrachari district.
Vigilantes try to force people to end boycott of Maischari bazar
On 21 December, members of the JSS Reformist faction and army-backed vigilante group the Masked Force threatened the Jumma villagers in Lama Adam, Datkuppya, Golokke Para, Ultachari, Inner Karallyachari, Jadugonala, Tabalchari and East Manikchari to go to Maischari bazar. But the villagers ignored them.
On 23 December, Uttom Chakma, a member of the JSS Reformist and Rubel Chakma, a vigilante, tried to force the people to go to Maischari bazar at gun point. But the Jummas refused to go.
The Jumma villagers have been boycotting Maischari bazar in Khagrachari district to protest the encroachment of their land by Bengali settlers in violation of a high court order. They have opened alternative makeshift bazars at various locations.