Bangladesh: FOLLOW-UP: MASSIVE ARSON ATTACK ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN LONGADU Chittagong Hill Tract

On 2 June 2017 Bengali settlers organized a pre-planned massive attacks on indigenous Jumma people in Tintila, Manikjorchara and Batya Para of Longadu upazila Sadar (sub-district) in Rangamati district. Almost 250 houses and shops of indigenous Jumma villagers were vandalized and looted before burnt to ashes. Gunamala Chakma (75) one of the victims couldn’t flee and died on the spot burning inside the house and several were injured. It is also reported 3 Jumma villagers were tortured by the Bengali settlers. Indigenous Jumma people alleged that with the active support of security forces and administration Bengali Settlers perpetrated the barbaric attack. The security forces also allegedly threatened the Jumma villagers of shooting. As a result, looting and setting fire to the shops and houses of Jumma peoples organized by settlers. None of the victims could save their property. Thousands of indigenous Jumma peoples including women and children were forced to flee following the attack and took shelter in the jungles and nearby villages. Currently, most of them are living under the open sky in incessant rains without food, clothes and treatment. After 8 days of the incident till now victims did not get any government support.

It is mentionable that Longadu is one of the most Bengali settlers inhabited area in CHT. It is believed that the largest settlement of Bengali settlers was engineered in Longadu during the population transfer policy in CHT by the military regimes from mid 1970s to late 1980s.

1 June 2017: Day before the communal attack, Indigenous Peoples tensed for possible violence

On 1 June 2017 the dead body hired-motorcycle driver named Nurul Islam Nayan was found at Charmile area of Khagrachari-Dighinala road. Tension spread in different indigenous villages for possible attack as settler Bengalis were alleging indigenous peoples for Nayan’s death.

Fearing possible violence in connection to the protest rally called on the next day by Bengali settlers carrying the body of Nurul Islam Nayan, indigenous peoples of Longadu informed the officials of Longadu Military Zone and Longadu Police Station and local public representatives about their insecurity and sought protection on 1 June 2017. The 2nd-In-Command (2IC) of Longadu Army Zone Major Rafique informed the leaders of indigenous peoples that it is a democratic right of the Bengali settlers to stage rally peacefully and assured them that they would not let anything unexpected to be happened.

2 June, 2017: What happened on that day?

On 2 June at around 9:30 am, the Bengali settlers of Longadu brought out a rally led by ruling Awami League and Juba League carrying the body of Nurul Islam Nayan from Battya Para area of Longadu upazila under guard of the army and police. During the rally Bengali settlers began to spread communal sentiment stating that two Jumma people allegedly killed him and provoking slogan to start communal riot and attack on indigenous Jumma villagers. As the rally reached Tintilla area at 10:00 am, the Bengali settlers of the rally all on a sudden set the houses and shops of indigenous peoples and Multipurpose Community Centre and the upazilla unit office of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) ablaze without any prior incitement. The Bengali settlers made it to burn over 94 houses including 10 shops of indigenous peoples in Tintilla area to ashes. Shortly, the Bengali settlers went ahead to make attacks on nearby Manikjorchara area and torched the houses of indigenous peoples there. This attack left at least 88 houses including 5 shops of indigenous peoples completely gutted. About 6000 indigenous Jumma villagers from nearby villages forced to leave their houses and flee to the jungle to safe their lives.  While carrying out the attacks, the settlers looted all the valuables from the houses and shops of the Jumma people. No single family of the affected Tintilla, Manikjorchara, Boradam and Batya Para areas could save any of their belongings.

Role of the Security Forces and Local Administration

Despite the assurance of officials of Longadu Military Zone and Longadu Police Station, Bengali settlers began attacking, vandalizing, looting, setting fire to indigenous Jumma people in the presence of security forces on 2 June, 2017. At around 12 pm, the local administration declared Section 144 (unlawful assembly). However, by then the declaration became of no use as attacks continued until 2 pm. During this time at least 42 houses including 4 shops of indigenous peoples in Battya Para were burnt to ashes by the Bengali settlers.

In these pre-planned attacks, it is alleged that with the help of security forces flammable objects such as patrol and kerosene were widely used to set fire to the houses. Affected villagers also noticed that the settlers being guarded by Army and Police and sprayed a gas-like flammable object from bottles to do their job faster. As a result, the houses including concrete buildings were quickly turned to ashes, according to the survivors.

Reportedly, members of security forces and police were present while attacks were being made. Indigenous peoples claimed that the arson attacks made on indigenous peoples were in the presence of Lt. Col. Abdul Halim Chowdhury PSC and 2IC Major Rafique of Longadu military zone and OC of Longadu police station Maminul Islam. However, they failed to protect indigenous peoples from this arson attacks.

Police Case for the incident

On 2 June 2017 a police case under Penal Code Section 143/ 147/ 148/ 447/ 448/ 427/ 436/ 186/ 353 was filed by Sub Inspector Dulal Hossain of Longadu police station against 15 persons by name and 300 unknown persons. It was learnt that the police arrested 7 persons enlisted in the complain.

As of 5 June 2017, police have arrested 19 people in connection with this case.

NHRC Form Fact-finding Committee

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) formed a three-member prove body to investigate the Longadu incident headed by its member Ms. Banchita Chakma. The other members are – Gazi Salauddin, deputy director and Sajjadur Rahman, assistant director of NHRC. The committee already visited the affected area where they talked to the victims and local administration. The committee has been asked to submit report within four working days.

Deputy Commissioner Visit

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rangamati district visited the affected areas on 3 June 2017. The district administration brought rice and Tk. 1,000 for each victim family. However, being agitated enough and considering too trivial to compensate the loss, the victims rejected to take the reliefs. The district administration promised to build houses for the victims. However, no initiative to rehabilitate the victims has been observed as yet.

Chairman of Task Force’s visit arson attack

ON 4 June 2017 Chairman of Task Force on Rehabilitation of India-Returnee Refugees and Internally Displaced Peoples Mr. Jatintra Lal Tripura and Member Sontoshita Chakma Bakul visited affected villages of Longadu arson attack.

DIG and Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong Police visited the victims

On 5 June 2017 S M Moniruzzaman, Deputy Inspector General of Chittagong Police and Md Ruhul Amin, Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong Police along with Manjarul Mannan, Divisional Commissioner of Rangamati and Sayeed Tarikul Hassan, Police Super of Rangamati District visited only the Tintila area and assured for proper compensation and justice but they didn’t visit other affected areas.

Ruling 14 party delegation visited Longadu victims

On 7 June 2017 Ruling 14 party delegation including Health minister Mohammad Nasim MP and Fazle Hossain Badsha MP, President of Parliamentary Caucus on indigenous people along with other alliance members visited the affected indigenous Jumma people and condemn the arson attack. They assured to the victims that government will take steps to rehabilitate the affected people and reiterated that the culprits involved in these attacks would be punished.

Protest organized in Different Places:

CHT Commission concerned and sent letter to Home ministry

On 3 June 2017, CHT Commission send a letter to Home ministry demanding immediate arrest of those responsible of arson attack and ensuring safety of indigenous Jumma villagers.

Several Citizens Group and Students organisations demonstrated in Dhaka

On 3-4 June 2017 a protest rally and demonstration organized by civil society organizations and different student organisations in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati condemning the arson attack on indigenous peoples in Longadu upazila, Rangamati.

Protest against Longadu arson attack in New York

On 4 June 2017, Secular Civic Society under banner of Rukha Darao Bangladesh organised a demonstration against Longadu arson attack on Jumma peoples and Efajati threatening to Sultana Kamal in New York.

Rangamati MP condemned in the Parliament

On 5 June 2017 Honorabel Member of the Parliament Mr. Ushaton Talukder protested Longadu incident and demanded judicial investigation of it, so that culprits and masterminds would be identified.

Amnesty urged Bangladesh authorities for proper investigation into Longadu violence

On 6 June 2017 Amnesty International urged the Bangladesh authorities to initiate through an impartial and independent investigation into the attacks on indigenous people in Longadu, Rangamati. Human rights watch-dog Amnesty International called for Bangladesh to bring to justice those responsible for torching the homes of indigenous people in Langadu upazila of Rangamati.

Furthermore, the international organization also condemned what it sees as breaches of the right to peaceful assembly by law enforcement agencies in the country and gave a number of recommendations to Bangladeshi authorities regarding both issues.

Parliamentary Caucus on Indigenous Peoples seek justice in a press conference at Dhaka

On 7 June 2017 Parliamentary Caucus on Indigenous Peoples hold a press conference on recent Longadu arson attack in CHT at media center, National Parliament. Caucus Convener Fazle Hossain Badsha, MP; Caucus Member Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP; Nazmul Hague Prodhan, MP; and Mustafa Lutfullah, MP, were present among others. The Caucus demanded proper investigation and justice of the incident including killing of Nayan, immediate rehabilitation of the victims with adequate compensation, and investigate the role of administration on that particular day of the incident.

Indian Chakma Buddhists protest Longudu communal attack in Delhi

On 9 June 2017 a protest demonstration organized by Peace Campaign Group in association with Indian Support Groups and Indian Chakma Society at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi condemned the communal violence and urged New Delhi to use its clout for peace and security of minority Buddhist communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Chakma Buddhist delegation submitted a memorandum to the Indian Prime Minister urging New Delhi to work with Dhaka for implementation of the CHT Accord urgently and restoration of peace and stability in Chittagong Hill Tracts and security of minority Buddhists out there.

TCSA and CNCI organise demonstration in Tripura

On 9 June 2017 Tripura Chakma Students Association (TCSA) and Chakma National Council of India (CNCI) organised demonstration against Longadu arson attack in Indian State of Tripura. They submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh through Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh at Agartala, Tripura.

On 9 June Guwahati Chakma Students Union and Guwahati Chakma Society also organised protest and demonstration against Longadu arson attack in Guwahati, Assam. They also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India and Bangladesh.

All India Chakma Social Forum (AICSF) submitted memorandum to the Minister for External Affairs

On 9 June 2017 the All India Chakma Social Forum (AICSF) submitted a memorandum to Sushma Swaraj, Hon’ble Union Minister for External Affairs seeking her strong interventions on the Longudu communal attacks and other problems of indigenous people in CHTs. They urged her to take up these issues directly with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to Dhaka on 10th June.

Denmark express their concern and demand justice for the indigenous people

On 9 June 2017 the Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh in a statement said, Denmark is concerned with the recent incidents of violence in and around Langadu in the district of Rangamti in Chittagong Hill Tracts. They deplore the loss of lives and damage to properties and livelihoods. They also call upon all parties to refrain from further violence and continue the dialogue of reconciliation.

Current Situation: Living Under Open sky

Now of the victims are passing their nights and days in a very deplorable state under the open sky while the rainy season has just started. As their all belongings were burnt to ashes they all are living with single cloths and without sufficient food. Women and children are facing most critical time without any medical treatment as the victims had to take shelter in the jungle. No compensation has been provided to the affected people from the government yet.

Justice delayed, justice denied

The recent Longadu incident is not different like any other such cases in CHT. The communal attack happened with looting, killing and arson in Longadu is well corresponded to the continuity of disrespecting fundamental rights of indigenous peoples. Earlier on 4 May 1989 Longadu massacre was committed on Jumma peoples. In this massacre, al least 32 Jummas were killed and 1011 houses of 9 villages were completely burnt to ashes. It is alleged that during the attack the administration played supportive role with the Bengali settlers. However, unfortunately, none of the Bengali settlers involved in that attack were punished by the government.

It is fact that, so far, it is alleged that the Bengali settlers perpetrated 20 fierce and barbaric communal attacks including that of this Longadu upon the Jumma peoples with the direct support of the ruling party and local administration in post-accord period. However, in most of the cases, government failed to deliver justice of those cases perpetrated against indigenous peoples.

This time, we demand justice without further delay. Independent investigation of the incident is needed to identify the culprits and ensure exemplary punishment.

http://iphrdefenders.net/bangladesh-follow-up-massive-arson-attack-indigenous-peoples-longadu/

Army Prevent Delegation from Conducting Land-Grabbing Research in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

On 6 May 2017 a 14-member civic rights team comprising human rights defenders, journalists, social activists and advocates was barred from entering Bandarban district for conducting an on-site visit to investigate and collect information about alleged grabbing of lands of indigenous peoples and eviction of the indigenous villages by the outsider influential individuals and institutions in Lama upazila of Bandarban district with an aim to advance the process of resolution of land disputes through the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Land Dispute Resolution Commission in accordance with the CHT Accord.

In protest against obstructing the citizen delegation, on 7 May 2017 at 3:00 pm a press conference was organised by the citizens delegation at Dhaka Reporters Unit in Dhaka. Pankaj Bhattacharya, President of Oikyo Nap presented the press statement while Numan Ahmed Khan, Member of the civic rights team moderated the program. Eminent Columnist and Researcher Syed Abul Maksud delivered a concluding speech. Besides, Sanjeeb Drong, General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous People’s Forum, Advocate Prokash Biswas, Human Rights Activist Rowshan Masuda, Member of Workers' Party of Bangladesh Bimal Biswas, Dr Gojnedranath Mahato also spoke among others.

Pankaj Bhattacharya, team leader of the civic rights delegation said in his written statement, "We, the civic delegation composed of human rights activists, lawyers and journalists, intended to make an on-site visit on 6-7 May 2017 to investigate and collect information about alleged grabbing of lands of indigenous peoples and eviction of the indigenous villages by the outsider influential individuals and institutions in Lama upazila of Bandarban district with an aim to advance the process of resolution of land disputes through the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Land Dispute Resolution Commission in accordance with the CHT Accord. On 6 May 2017 at around 9 am, the civic delegation was barred by the security forces at Yangsha Bazar area under Lama while entering Lama upazila. The civic delegation was held there for about an hour. The civic delegation was prevented from entering the Lama Sadar with the pretention of a road blockade program called on by communal local Bengali settlers."

Mr. Bhattacharya informed that the road blockade programme was being enforced by few communal local Bengali settlers with the backing of an influential special force to foil the visit of the civic delegation. Civic delegation also came to know that some Mro villagers were also forcefully brought to implement the blockade program. They were forced by a group of people programmed by a special force to stand by the street with banners. In fact, the drama of the blockade program was staged by some communal and vested interest groups to hide the land grabbing and eviction of indigenous peoples by outsider influential individuals and institutions. It is learnt that local Jumma people including the victims of land grabbing Mro villagers were eagerly waiting in their respective villages to speak to the civic delegation.

After being obstructed to enter Lama, the security forces again barred the civic delegation at around 12 pm at Reicha area under Bandarban sadar upazila showing the cause of security while they were on their way to meet Bandarban district administration in ​​Bandarban district headquarters. As members of the security forces informed the civic delegation about the prohibition with the direction of the higher authorities at Yangsha Bazar and Reicha areas, the civic delegation immediately contacted Bandarban district administration. The district administration informed the civic delegation that there was no prohibition of any kind upon the delegation to enter Lama Sadar and Bandarban Sadar. The concerned officials also expressed the helplessness of the district administration in this regard. As a result of not being able to investigate the situation and meet Bandarban district administration, the civic delegation was forced to return to Dhaka on the same day (6 May).

He also added that one of the main programs of the civic delegation was to assist the process of resolution of land disputes by the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission in accordance with the CHT Accord through investigation and collection of information regarding alleged land dispute in three areas of Lama upazila. Among the alleged cases, about 1,600 acres of lands of Mro and Tripura indigenous villagers in Daluchari mouza of Saroi union under Lama upazila have been allegedly grabbed by Lama Rubber Industry where at least 100 Mro families are under threat of eviction. Secondly, to investigate the allegations of grabbing of 2,000 acres of lands in Daluchari mouza by a NGO named Quantum and forgetting mother tongues by indigenous Jumma students of residential school run by Quantum due to the lack of opportunity to speak their mother tongues. There was also a plan to verify the allegation of creating captivation for and infusing the cultural practices of a particular religion among the Jumma students at Quantum. Thirdly, to investigate and collect information about alleged grabbing of approximately 500 acres of recorded and traditionally used lands of Marma, Mro and Tripura villagers by Laden Group and eviction of indigenous Baching para in Trishdheba area under Fashiakhali union of Lama upazila. The plan included gathering information by exchanging of information with all complainants and accused individuals and all stakeholders comprising of Jumma people and Bengalis. There was no intention to speak to any specific group or party only. Besides, there was the program to exchange views with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) Bandarban district, Bandarban Hill District Council and the chief of of Bohmang Circle on 7th May.

Civic rights team pointed out that the Constitution of the country guarantees equality of all citizens irrespective of religion, race, caste, gender or birthplace to their freedom of life, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of occupation etc. Freedom of thought, conscience and speech have been recognized as a fundamental right of the citizens and the right to information has been recognized as an integral part of freedom of thought, conscience and speech in the Right to Information Act 2009. This act also ensures the right to information of the people in order to empower them. But the right to information enshrined in the Constitution and existing laws of the country has been overridden by a special force by creating bar on collection of information related to land disputes in Lama. It can be considered as a direct violation of constitutional rights of the citizens. The civic team is of the opinion that it has trampled the rule of law in the country, which is detrimental to the image of the country.

The civic team believes that those who do not want resolution of land disputes in the CHT in light of the CHT Accord, those who wish to reap benefits by sustaining the land disputes and those who are involved with the ill-motive of widespread land grabbing, forced eviction of Jumma people, plunder and ethnic oppression-suppression by secluding the CHT from rest of the country using the state power, barred the civic delegation from entering Lama Sadar and Bandarban Sadar and investigate alleged land disputes. This can never be desired in a country which has become independent with the spirit of the great liberation war. The civic delegation strongly condemns and protests such undemocratic and fascist way of obstruction. Given this backdrop, a question arises: what kind collaboration does exist between the special forces, who are responsible for protecting the sovereignty of the country, and the land grabbers and illegal lease-holders? We all have to find an answer to this question. It is imperative to find this answer in order to build a democratic state for all.

Pankaj Bhattacharya finally said that the CHT Accord was signed in 1997 in order to find a political and peaceful solution to the CHT problem, where there are provisions to resolve the land disputes in the CHT by setting up an independent land commission in light of laws, customs and practices of the CHT. This type of obstruction in a democratic program of the civic delegation during the ruling government, which signed the CHT Accord, can never be desired. Given this backdrop, the civic delegation put forward following demands to the government:

(1)  Take legal actions against those who obstructed the civic delegation.

(2)  Return the land of Jumma people of the CHT from the influential individuals and institutions and take legal actions against the land grabbers by cancelling illegal leases in light of the CHT Accord.

(3)  Expedite the process of demilitarization in the CHT in accordance with the CHT Accord.

(4)  Immediately resolute land disputes in the CHT by allocating adequate budget, recruiting sufficient manpower, setting up branch offices in Rangamati and Bandarban districts and finalizing the rules of business of the CHT Land Commission in accordance with the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act (Amended 2016).

Participating in the press conference, Syed Abul Maksud said, the objective of the civic team was fair and impartial investigation of the on-site visit. It has trampled the right to receive information of a citizen and also a direct violation of constitutional rights of citizens and rule of law. He also thinks that this type of act is a detrimental for the country image.

Sanjeeb Drong said, this proves that human rights violation incidents in CHT often go concealed. Everyday the land of the indigenous peoples in CHT and plain are being occupied by some influential persons. He strongly condemned and protested against the repellent act of special force.

The Citizen delegation team was led by Pankaj Bhattacharya, eminent human rights defender and President of Okkyo Nap, while members of the team were Trustee of Liberation War Museum Ziuddin Tarik Ali, Human Rights Activist Numan Ahmed Khan, Rowshan Masuda, Advocate Prokash Biswas, Coorespondent of New Age Juwel Alamghir, Staff Reporter of Daily Samakal Abdullah Al Mamun, Special Reporter of Bhorer Kagoj Azizur Rahman, Reporter of Daily Prothom Alo Buddhojyoti Chakma, Reporter of The Daily Star Sanjay Barua, Human Rights Activist Tisel Chakma and President of Bangladesh Indigenous Students Action Council Suman Marma et al.

Romel Chakma, "Naniarchar PCP General Secretary" Dies Following Brutal Torture by Bangladeshi Army

Though the death of Romel Chakma on 19 April 2017 went viral with the social media and caused heightened agony among the masses, no national daily was noticed to publish news on Romel’s death till 21 April. It was not only the case with the national dailies, no news over death of Romel Chakma was seen uploaded on the national & local online portals.

Romel Chakma, an HSC candidate who was held by the army and meted out brutal torture died in Chittagong Medical College Hospital on 19 April 2017 while undergoing treatment. A group of army commanded by G-2 Major Syed Tanvir Saleh arrested him in Naniarchar Bazaar of Rangamati hill district on 5 April 2017. By then Romel was on his way back home after purchasing daily necessities from the market, as there was no examination on that day. It is reported that Romel was then taken to the Naniarchar Army Zone Headquarters and severely beaten up there. As a result of inhuman torture, Romel’s condition became critical. When the army personnel wanted to hand over already feinted Romel to Naniarchar Police Station, the police denied to accept him seeing his serious condition. Then the army got Romel admitted in Naniarchar Upazila Hospital. But as Romel continued to develop deterioration, he was then referred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where he died under joint custody of police and army.

With the spread of news of Romel Chakma’s death, the Jumma students and mass people burst into protest in masses. Storm of anguish and protestation ran through the social media and face book. The army of Burighat camp further added fuel to the fire of mass anguish by snatching off Romel Chakma’s dead body from his aggrieved parents and relatives while they were carrying it to home. The mass sentiment got even more tempered when the army, police and local administration took the dead body to jungle some two kilometers off the Hatimara village of the deceased and got the dead body reduced to ashes by continued pouring in petrol and kerosene without paying respect to the traditional funeral rites and rituals and allowing the parents and close relatives of the deceased to be there. The Jumma students and people expressed their strong condemnation over not letting the death body cremated as per religious and traditional rites & rituals by the aggrieved parents and relatives of the deceased.

It is of great concern that though the death of Romel Chakma went viral with the social media and caused heightened agony among the masses, no national daily was noticed to publish news on Romel’s death. It was not only the case with the national dailies, no news over death of Romel Chakma was seen uploaded on the national online portals. It is suspected that the electronic media remained abstaining from publishing such a significant news of killing probably, owing to strictness on already imposed restriction or lacking of boldness in media sector or due to ‘self-imposed restriction’ on part of the media, itself. However, a few national online portal were seen publishing out the death news of Romel Chakma on 21 April 2017.

On 21 April 2017, ‘The New Age’ in its news head titling ‘Blockade on Khagrachari-Rangamti road protesting death of student in custody’ says: “Hill people in Rangamati put blockade on Rangamati-Khagrachari highway on Friday protesting against the death of a HSC examinee in custody after ‘torture’ and ‘snatching away his mortal remains’ by administration.”

The New Age also cited that “One of Romel’s uncle, who requested not to publish his name, told the New Age that when Romel’s mortal remains reached Burighat of Naniyarchar, military personnel took away the body on Thursday night and burnt it in their custody without following religious rites and tradition on Friday. ‘They also took the karbari our village and one of our cousins along with Romel’s body. They allowed none other to be there. We heard that they had picked up a Bhante (monk) from somewhere but there was no religious or traditional ritual when they burnt the body,’ said the uncle over telephone. ‘I have never heard of such inhumane act. They even did not allow any of the family members to see Romel at hospital,’ he said. He also said Romel’s father became ill following death of his son.Meanwhile, Abdul Latif, the Officer-in-Charge of Naniyarchar police station, said Romel was cremated around noon time in presence of Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Kaukhali, Azgar Ali, who is also in-charge of Naniyarchar Upazila, one magistrate and seven to eight policemen at Purba Hatimara under Burighat union.”

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Series of Arbitrary Arrests and Torture of Activists Continues

In a press release signed by information and Publicity Secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Smahati Samiti (PCJSS) dated 1 April 2017, PCJSS condemns arbitrary arrest and brutal torture of two members of PCJSS and PCP in Kaptai under Rangamati district and demands their immediate and unconditional release.

PCJSS says, early hours of 31 March 2017 Thowai Shoinu Marma (47), president of Raikhali Union Committee of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Smahati Samiti (PCJSS) and member of No.4 Ward of Raikhali Union Parishad and Kyahing Hla Marma (23), president of Kaptai Upazila Committee of Pahari Chatra Parishad (PCP) were arrested by 19 Battalion BGB personnel of Wagga BGB zone under Kaptai upazila in Rangamati district.

It is learnt that on that day at around 1:00 am the BGB personnel surrounded the house of Thowai Shoinu Marma of Narangiri Mukh village under Raikhali Union in Kaptai upazila. The searching party took Thowai Shoinu Marma and his son Kyahing Hla Marma out of their houses and arrested them after planting explosive materials. After arrest, firstly they were taken to Wagga BGB Zone Headquarters and then to Dongchari BGB camp. The victims sustained fatal injuries resulting out of having been treated inhumanly with middle-age brutality. Lastly at 10:00 pm, the BGB party handed the victims over to the Chandraghona Police Station under Kaptai upazila in serious condition.

Besides, the BGB personnel surrounded the house of Ranjit Tanchangya, land and agriculture affairs secretary of Raikhali Union Committee of PCJSS and member of No. 7 Ward of Raikhali Union Parishad at around 1:00 pm on that day. Getting into the house, the BGB party broke the wardrobe lock and conducted search and made the household articles disarrayed here and there. Apart from this, the BGB personnel also surrounded the house of Samiran Tanchangya, member of Kaptai Thana Committee of PCJSS.

PCJSS strongly protests against arbitrary arrest and brutal torture of Thowai Shoinu Marma and Kyahing Hla Marma who were arrested by way of planting explosive materials and demands for their immediate and unconditional release.

It is worthy to be mentioned that in recent times, conducting unwarranted search anywhere and anytime, filing up fabricated cases against the Jumma people including the PCJSS members engaged in the movement, arbitrary arrest and putting into the jail, meting out brutal torture, harassment, etc. have been strengthened at the initiative of army, BGB and police forces in collaboration with the administration and ruling party. PCJSS has the ground to consider this suppressive measure is directed to label the justified movement for implementation of the CHT Accord as to be terrorist activities, to destroy the PCJSS leadership and above all, to foil implementation process of the CHT Accord. Consequent to such suppression and oppression, the situation in CHT is undoubtedly moving towards restlessness, which can never be good to the greater interest of the country. Therefore, PCJSS sets forth strong demand for putting an end to the genre of fascist suppression and oppression upon the Jumma people including PCJSS leadership with immediate effect.

Military atrocity on Jumma villagers at Morichyabil in Rangamati

A group of army led by Lt. Shahriar of 21 Bengal from Rajmuni Para Camp under Jurachari Army Zone conducted a searching operation in Morichyabil Dokanghat area of Rangamati Sadar Upazila under Rangamati district on 24-26 February 2017. On 24 February at around 4:00 pm army apprehended 7 villagers while they were loading and unloading their goods. The following villagers who had been held-up were released at 11:00 pm-

1. Joy RamTanchangya (28), Father: BhubanTanchangya;

2. Sadhan Kumar Tanchangya;

3. RuparamTanchangya and

4. SonaramTanchangya,

Rest of other 3 persons were tortured by Lt. Shariar at Morichyabil Dokanghat. On 25 February, army held another one villager named Puspa Kumar Tanchangya who was also severely beaten up. The victims are:

1. Jadi Kumar Tanchangya(22) Father UjenTanchangya

2. Tara Kumar Tanchangya(24) Father JalaMoniTanchangya

3. Ashish Tripura(25) Father: Sara Mohan Tripura

4. Puspa Kumar Tanchangya(24) Father: Late PottoMoniTanchangya

Lt. Shahriar bared the victims of shirts and banyans and soaked them in the water; and made them stay with drenched clothes for the whole night. In the morning on 25 February, he made them crawl on the ground for 35 times in bared bodies. He made them crawl and speak to him while lying on chest under his feet. While the Morichyabil village head, Ranjit Tanchangya went to the camp, the Lieutenant freed Puspa Kumar Tanchangya and handed over to the village head. It was learnt that the 3 other villagers were set free at 11:30 am and handed them over to Biplab Tripura, member of No.2 ward of Balukhali Union Council.

On the other side, the army conducted another searching operation in the Koilyatali village of Kilyamura area under Balukhali union of Rangamati Sadar Upazila on 25 February. The army collected the liquor-preparing accessories from house to house and after having snaps, threatened them of handing them over to the police.

Lt. Shahriar, once again led another operation in the Morichyabil village on 26 February 2017. He opened up a check point where the villagers going to and coming from market had to undergo checking. All the market and home-bound boats were made stop at Dokanghat of Morichyabil area and the boats were made stay for hours together in the name of checking. Checking included National Identity Card, Voter Card, Blood Group, etc. and the army personnel continued to search whereabouts of the PCJSS members. The searching party unclothed the villagers and examined their bodies while querying them if they had received training and where they had received training. The army searched the houses of Nayan Tanchangya, Kulamoni Chakma, Priyotam Chakma and Chandra Chakma at Morichyabil village.

A group of army from Basanta Moun Pangkho Para camp led by Subedar Alamgir, took position at Badalchari government primary school on 24 February and after halting for 3 days returned to their camp on 26 February.

Update: Surrender of kidnapers and release them by army in Rowangchari

It is learnt that 3 persons who had kidnapped Mong Shwe Thui Karbari, the Village Head of Bagmara Bhitar Para surrendered to Betchari army camp at 10:00 pm on 20 February 2017. Of the 3 surrendered persons have been identified as Unu Mong Marma (37) s/o Mongni Marma from village Latahhiri of Taracha Union; Anumong Marma from Latajhira villager and Mong Me Marma from Naya Para of Taracha Union under Rowangchari Upazila. It is worthy to be mentioned that Mong Shwe Thui Karbari could escape from custody of the kidnappers through wriggling with them. It is learnt that the injury mark is left in Unu Mong Marma’s head. It is learnt that Unu Mong Marma is a member of Awami League.

Before making surrender, the said kidnappers had a contact with Hla Thowai Hri Marma, Assistant General Secretary of Awami League District Committee and also former Upazila Chairman of Rowangchari Upazila Parishad and Chaihla U Marma, ex-member of Taracha Union Council and accordingly, the kidnappers came to Lemujhiri to meet them on 20 February at 11:00 am, following which, they were taken to the Betchari army camp at 10:00 pm. Then they were then taken to Bandarban district headquarters from where they were released on 26 February 2017.

It is to be noted that the surrendered persons, confessed themselves, of their involvement in the kidnapping of Mong Shwe Thui Karbari. Besides, it was learnt from a reliable source that Mong Shwe Thui Karbari, who could inflict casualty to the kidnappers and after freeing himself on 5 February 2017, he took shelter at Betchara camp, mentioned the names of kidnappers. Despite being so, the army authority and Awami League leadership, instead of arresting, set the kidnappers free. At this, it can safely be said that the kidnapping Mong Shwe Thui Karbari had been a pre-planned plot and the kidnapping drama was the dishonest play was staged with a view to harass the PCJSS members and supporters. Furthermore to be mentioned here that the cases filed against the PCJSS members centering the kidnapping have not yet been withdrawn and the members held behind the bar also have not been released.

It is to be mentioned that some unknown elements kidnapped Mong Shwe Thui Karbari, village head of Bagmara Bhitor Para under Noapatang Union at around 9:00 pm on 3 February 2016. Following this incident, the army conducted several searching operations that involved arrest of four persons, beaten up 6 innocent persons and meting out physical torture upon 10 innocent persons in the camp.

Nineteen years after the peace agreement was signed, a clear roadmap for implementing the CHT Accord is still being discussed.

Developing a clear roadmap for the land dispute resolution act was the biggest concern to emerge from a meeting held on Friday to mark the 19th anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord signing.

The peace accord inked on December 2, 1997 between Shanti Bahini and then Awami League government of PM Sheikh Hasina ended decades of bloody armed struggle in the volatile hill tracts region.

However, speakers at a forum jointly organised in Dhaka by Bangladesh Indigenous peoples Forum and Kapaeeng Foundation on Friday stressed the need for a strong political will of the current Hasina government to end the problems that have developed from not fully implementing the CHT Peace Accord.

Sanjeeb Drong, Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, said indigenous peoples in the CHT have been waiting for 19 years but the main points of the accord “are not yet implemented”.

Professor Mizanur Rahman blamed the lack of a strong will to implement the deal for creating “deep scars” over the past two decades.

“I am confident that the state will not have to spend much time implementing other parts of the accord if the land dispute act is properly implemented,” he said.

‘Bravery needed’

The government has recently approved ‘The Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission (Amendment) Act, 2016’ aiming to resolve the land disputes in the hills speedily.

Shamsul Huda, Executive Director at Association for Land Reform and Development, said a great deal of bravery was required to amend the CHT land dispute resolution act 2016 and same bravery was also needed to implement it now.

“Only amendment is not enough, there should be a clear roadmap for implementing the act,” he said.

Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, the chief of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), presided over the discussion and used his closing statement to take aim at the government.

“It is clear to me that the reasons behind the unwillingness of the government to implement the accord is its undemocratic, ego-centric and fundamentalist mindset,” he said in his closing statement.

Other speakers included former chairman of National Human Rights Commission Dr Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum President Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma and its General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong, Dhaka University Professor Mesbah Kamal, Chakma Circle Chief at CHT Barrister Raja Devashish Roy, Executive Director at Manusher Jonno Foundation Shaheen Anam,  formar Information Commissioner Dr Sadeka Halim.

Kepaeeng Foundation Executive Director Pallab Chakma presented the keynote paper at the beginning of the discussion.

In a similar event organised by the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of CHT Accord, its central committee Chairman Sachib Chakma said the peace accord is yet to bring peace to CHT and people are still living in fear as arbitrary arrest, torture, rape, land-grabbing and extortion have become everyday matters for those living there.

Situation of Indigenous Women and Girls in Bangladesh

An indigenous Tripura girl gang raped by Bengali settlers in Ramgarh

On 14 February 2017 at around 11.30 pm an indigenous Tripura girl (14) was forcefully abducted by some Bengali settlers from her house at Rupaichara Para under Ward no. 9 of Ramgarh Sadar Union in Khagrachari district. Later she was gang raped by abductors Md. Hassan (30) son of Bacchu Company and his friend. The victim rescued after two day from jungle on 16 February 2017.
Victim father alleged that they informed to member of local Union Parishad and Border Guard of Bangladesh about the incident on the following day of the abduction. But they did not get any kind of help from them. After rescuing the victim, local union parishad member organized an arbitration. But victim refused the arbitration and took poison to kill herself for fear of obloquy. The victim was admitted to Ramgarh Sadar Hospital and later she was sent to Khagrachari Sadar hospital for better treatment.
On 18 February 2017 Samacharon Tripura, father of the victim lodged a complaint with Ramgarh police station under Women and Child Repression Prevention Act 2000 (Amended 2003). After lodging the compliant, police arrested Md. Hasan’s elder brother but the main culprits are still in at large.
An indigenous Marma girl attempted to rape and beaten by Bengali settlers in Matiranga
On 20 February 2017 an indigenous SSC examinee was allegedly attempted to rape by two Bengali settlers in Tabalchari of Matiranga Upazila under Khagrachari district. Locals said that, on the day of incident victim of Thailapara village under Tabalchari was returning on her home with her Bengali friend after attending an exam at Kadamtali High School. But on the way some Bengali settlers named Md. Anwar (22) and Md. Imran (22) from Dak Banglow area under Tabalchari stopped the victim and tried to rape her. But anyhow the victim managed to escape to her Bengali friend house. The perpetrators beat the victim by entering into her friend house and ran away.
An indigenous Chakma girl allegedly hacked to death in Khagrachari
On 27 February 2017 an indigenous Chakma girl named Iti Chakma (18) was killed by some miscreants in Khagrachari town. The victim throat had been slit. It is learnt that the victim was a 2nd year student of Khagrachari Govt. College and the daughter of late Ontorindriyo Chakma from Shonkola village under Dighinala Upazila in Khagrachari district. The victim has been staying with her sister Jonaki Chakma, assistant teacher of Banchora Anondomoy Govt Primary School in Dighinala and brother in law Atal Chakma in a rented house at Arambag of Shantinagar area in Khagrachari town.
Atal Chakma said, on the incident day at 9:00 pm when he returned home from outside found the victim dead lying in her bed. Jonaki Chakma said, she mostly lives in Dighinala for her job and her sister and husband live in Khagrachari in the absence of her.
Tarek Mohammad Abdul Hannan, Officer-in-Charge of Khagrachari police station said, the police have recovered some evidence from the crime scene including a chopper by which the victim has been killed. But the police could not find the mobile phone of the victim, he added. No F.I.R has been lodged till the report.
Students of Khagrachari Govt. College organized a protest rally demanding punishment of the killers of Iti Chakma. Hundreds of student joined in the demonstration.
Situation of Civil & Political Rights
Indigenous villagers checked and harassed at Marichyabil in Rangamati
Recently on 24-26 February 2017 indigenous Jumma villagers of Marichyabil area under Balukhali union in Rangamati district were allegedly harassed by the security forces of the local camp. It is learnt that at least 8 villagers were apprehended from Dokan Ghat area of Marichyabil. Of them, 4 villagers were released after 7 hours and rest of the following villagers were allegedly tortured. The victims were identified as Jadi Kumar Tanchangya (22), Tara Kumar Tanchangya (24) and Ashish Tripura (25). They were released on after keeping them at the camp for a night. The houses of the villagers were also searched during the drive and the villagers who were moving through the Dokan Ghat of Marichyabil were checked and harassed.
Situation of the Rights of Land and Natural Resources
27 indigenous families under threat of eviction in Hatchery area in Rangamati
On 13 February 2017 indigenous Jumma villagers comprising 27 families of Hatchery area under Rangamati municipality in Rangamati district formed a human chain in front of office of Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati district protesting against government’s initiative to acquire their homesteads for setting up Rangamati Medical College and Hospital. They submitted memorandum to Prime Minister, Land Miniter, Health and Family Welfare Minister, State Minister for CHT Affairs, Chairman of CHT Regional Council, Member of Parliament of 299 Parbatya Rangamati constituency, Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council, Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati district, Circle Chief of Chakma circle at el.
Protesters said that they all are uprooted by the Kaptai dam and also internally displaced families. They were displaced during armed conflict before signing the CHT Accord. They have been staying at Hatchery area since 90s after uprooted from their ancestral lands and homesteads. It is to be mentioned that on 5 February 2017 their houses and homesteads were measured by land staff of Deputy Commissioner’s office with the help of police and army without prior notice to them. Indigenous villagers were informed that they will be evicted soon.
Status of Education, Youth and Children
Govt. nationalizes 210 primary school in CHT
Government has nationalized 210 primary schools in CHT, which were funded under the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) program of UNDP ended in June 2015. On 20 February 2017 Md. Moniruzzaman, Deputy Secretary of school branch-1, Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a gazette regarding the nationalization.
In accordance with Section 3(1) of Primary School Acquisition act 1974, the government brought under the control of the Hill District Councils under three conditions. The three conditions include (a) the land, home, enormous fund and all the assets of the school shall be deemed transferred and vested to the government; (b) according to the rules the present management committee of the school shall be dissolved and new management committee shall be formed and (c) according to the school information required number of post will be created for the teachers. After creating required number of post the teachers will be nationalized.
The schools were mainly managed by the Hill District Councils and funds were channeled through the CHTDF. Since the initiation of the project in 2009, 80 in Bandarban, 81 in Rangamati and 49 primary schools in Khagrachari were established. Though only 1 teacher was allocated for each school but with the demand and funding of villagers the teacher’s allocation for each school was increased from 1 to 3.
Ashis Kumar Dhor, Upazila Education Officer of Jurachari said, however nationalization of 210 schools in CHT has been published in the website of Ministry of Education, but no official letter has come along yet he added.
It is to be mentioned that 210 primary schools were established in three Hill District in 2009. Some of them were funded by UNDP-CHTDF and the rest were managed by community own initiative.
Environment and Climate Change
9 persons sentenced for the crime of stone extraction illegally in Bandarban
On 22 February 2017 Ruma Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Shariful Haq conducted a mobile court to stop the illegal stone extraction and trafficking operations in Poli Khal area of Ruma upazila unedr Bandarban district.
Violating government order, stone extractor and trafficker has been operating stone extraction for many days in Bandarban district. On that day mobile court arrested 9 persons who are involved on stone extraction, namely, Nurul Amin (60), so of the late Nurul Ahamed, vill. Buri Cikkana, Faitong, Bandarban; Abdul Rahim (45), son of Ahmed Hussein vill. Baniyachara, Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar; Abdur Rashid (33), son of Monir Alam, vill. Baniyachara Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar; Sirajul Islam (29), son of Jamal Hossain vill. Buri Cikkana, Faitong, Lama, Bandarban; Lal Miah (65), son of late Abul Kachem, vill. Buri Cikkana, Faitong, Lama, Bandarban; Rafiqul (21) son of Abul Hossain Mollah, vill. Buri Cikkana, Faitong, Lama, Bandarban; Md. Zakir (30), son of Murad Maker, vill. Baura, Pach Grams, Lalmonihat; Mahasina (30), son of late Ali, vill. Buri Cikkana, Faitong, Lama, Bandarban; and Al-Amin (18), son of Mohammad Ansar, vill. Buri Cikkana, Faitong, Lama, Bandarban.
Each of them was sentenced to 15 days.
Follow Up
Gaibandha SP transferred to Khagrachari: Civil Societies and Indigenous Peoples express concern
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gaibandha district Md. Ashraful Islam has been transferred to Khagrachari district who served as a SP during the arson attack on indigenous Santal people to drive an eviction at Sahebgonj-Bagda Farm area in Gobindagonj upazila Gaibandha resulting three Santal men killed and 1200 families of Santals made homeless. It is learnt from a video viral in social media that police personnel were involved on setting fire of Santals’ houses of the area to drive the eviction. Gaibandha SP was failed to protect indigenous peoples.
Indigenous peoples and civil society member expressed their concern about the transfer. They said how a men who fails to protect indigenous peoples can transfer to Khagrachari dictrict where indigenous peoples largely concentrated and where communal violence held often. According to an order from the home ministry which was published on 23 February 2017, it is learnt that Ashraful will now serve as the commander of Armed Police Battalion-6 in Mahachari upazila under Khagrachari district.

Kapaeeng Foundation launches Human Rights Report 2016 on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh

Kapaeeng Foundation (KF) launched Human Rights Report 2016 on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh. The launching and dissemination program of the Report was organised on 26 February 2017 at Tawfiq Aziz Khan Seminar Hall of The Daily Star Bhavan in Dhaka. KF published this human rights report with the support of Oxfam.

Former honorable chairman of National Human Rights Commission Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman was present as the chief guest while chairperson of Kapaeeng Foundation Mr. Rabindranath Soren presided over the program. Noted women rights activist and Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Mr. Sanjeeb Drong and senior policy officer of Oxfam Mehbooba Yasmin were present and delivered their speech.

The program was moderated by Falguni Tripura and vice chairperson of Kapaeeng Foundation Chaitali Tripura delivered welcome speech. Around hundreds human rights defenders, lawyers, academics, journalistsstudents, indigenous rights activists, civil society members, representatives of development partners, among others, were also present and discussants in the event.

Mr. Pallab Chakma, executive director of Kapaeeng Foundation and one of the editor of the report made a presentation on the overall situation of human rights in 2016 on indigenous peoples in Bangladesh.

Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman said human rights situation of indigenous peoples is becoming worse day by day. Indigenous peoples in Bangladesh has been unpeopling from the country. State should supposed to taking care of human rights violation of the country. But states fails to protect human rights of indigenous peoples in the country. Human rights violation of a single person threatens human rights of all other peoples in the society. Overall situation of the country will not be improved if violence against indigenous peoples continues.

In the declaration of our independence being said that ensure equality, social justice and human dignity of all people of the country. We called human rights of these three together. But, is state is protecting the dignity of its dignity? he raises the question. The responsibility of the state is protecting the dignity ensure equality and social justice. But we see that police who are responsible to protect the citizens, they are involved in arson of Santal houses in Gaibandha. In this context, he said, Superintendent of Police of Gaibandha district has been transferred to Khagrachari. His job is transferable, then how the transfer is punishment for him? It is the people’s democratic state with a major intellectual fraud. State should bring into justice who is involved with human rights violations, until the end of the investigation should be relieved of his actions and should take appropriate action once the investigation ends.

The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission also said the state’s sole aim should be to put the welfare of every citizen. And it will be able to make our dreamsBangladesh, Bangabandhu’s golden Bangladesh.

He also said that Bangladesh is becoming middle income country. But the human rights situation in the country does not improve as expected. Without the improvement of the human rights of the people development will not be succeed.Moreover the global human rights is under threat. So all of us have to work together for human rights.

Khushi Kabir said there is no doubt the situation of human rights is not good in our country. People are being killed because of free thought, different culture, language does not welcome here. We must have to improve the situation. The district superintendent of Gaibandha is responsible for human rights violations against Santals is under investigation, how can he transferred to Khagrachari? He urged the government to notify the appropriate logic or reason. Ensuring indigenous rights is state responsibility. Indigenous Identity exist forever if state demolish their identity by calling as “Khudra Nrigoshti.” She said.

Sanjeev Drong said the indigenous peoples of Bangladesh and the situation is going through the worst time ever. The important factor is how many incidents brought into justice instead of decrease or increase numberof human rights violations against indigenous people. He also alleged that not a single case of any incident brought into justice. No single perpetrator got punishment. He also expect that state will take step against all those perpetrators.

Oxfam’s senior policy officer Yasmin Mehbooba said the human rights report on indigenous peoples of the country is helping us understand the true picture of overall situation of human rights. We will able to draw the way forward activity for indigenous peoples through the human rights report.

In his concluding remark Rabindranath Soren said indigenous people had been tortured and forced to migrate to neighboring country due to not getting justice. Therefore, to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples, indigenous peoples have to fight unitedly.

Indigenous peoples belonging to more than 54 different ethnic groups are known, as per available historical records, to be living across Bangladesh for centuries. 2011 census puts the indigenous population of Bangladesh at around 1,587,000 accounting for 1.08% of the total population of Bangladesh. However, indigenous peoples in the plains strongly dispute the 2011 census report on the figure of their indigenous population and claim that their population in the plains alone is estimated at about 2.0 million. Disaggregated official data being unavailable, the demographic distribution of different ethnic indigenous population groups remained uncertain.

However, they were denied of their recognition as indigenous peoples when 15th amendment to the constitution passed on 30 June 2011 described them as “tribes, minor races, ethnic sects and communities” [Article 23(A)]. Instead they were labelled as “Banglaees” ignoring the distinct identities of indigenous peoples [Article 6(2)]. Bangladesh ratified ILO Convention 107 in 1972, but yet to bring about

any positive change in the lives of indigenous peoples. The pledges of the government made in the 7th Five Year Plan to ensure legal protection to indigenous peoples by 1) implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 and ratifying the ILO Convention No. 169, 2) formulating a land policy to deal with land disputes involving ethnic communities and finally 3) ensuring the participation of local governments in the management of natural resources” are yet to be materialized.

The Foreign Donation (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act, passed in October 2016, and the proposed amendments to the Press Council Act are considered by many as instruments to control NGOs freedom of expression and association and for gauging newspapers respectively. On the other hand, a government directive in 2015 requiring individuals of national & foreign organizations to ensure presence of local administration, army/BGB in any events they wish to organize in the CHT, in fact, placed severe restrictions on them.

In the year under review, the indigenous peoples continued to be dispossessed of their lands, the mainstay of their subsistence, as land grabbers’ drive for robbing indigenous peoples’ land using forged land documents, intimidation, gaps in country’s legal system and patronage from the establishment persisted. Legal battle proved futile as there is almost no evidence of restitution of land won in the law court.

Bangladesh claims to have achieved the status of a lower-middle income earning country. However, there is no reflection of this achievement on the lives of indigenous peoples, who still a wait to be lifted out of the cycle of deprivation of rights and marginalization of opportunities. The continuation of the existence of indigenous peoples with their distinctive identities in this country is still threatened. When spaces for accountability, rule of law, democracy and transparency in the country are narrowed down, the miseries of indigenous peoples are destined to be aggravated. However, it is reassuring is that the civil society and media of the country are getting vocal about indigenous peoples’ rights as well as the implementation of the CHT Accord. Despite the presence of a prejudiced section among the mainstream population against indigenous peoples’ aspirations, a number of support-networks among them have started coming up, though their activities are yet to gain necessary momentum.

Indigenous peoples need political access to fight for their rights and to hold their governments accountable. The key to stimulating the struggle for human rights of the indigenous peoples lies in their greater political inclusion. Discrimination is widespread in the behavior of public officials both at the national and local level and in the attitude of political parties. The government’s attitude, too, towards indigenous peoples reflects their hegemonic and discriminatory views.

In the last Union Parishad elections held from 11 February 2016 to 4 June 2016 throughout the country, none from among indigenous communities in the plain land could have been elected as chairman, though more than half of indigenous population of the country live there. Unlike in the plain land, chairman candidates from indigenous communities in the CHT won elections in the 83 Union Parishads out of 115 in three hill districts. However, though there is a concentration of indigenous population in the CHT, no single Mayoral candidate from indigenous communities was elected in elections to any of 7 municipalities (pourasavas) in the CHT held in December 2015.

The Supreme Court in one of its rulings restrained law enforcement agencies from making arbitrary arrests on suspicion. However, in spite of the ruling, there is a growing trend of making arbitrary arrests, detention and enforced disappearances in the country and members of law enforcement agencies involved in such crimes enjoy full impunity. In 2016, criminalization of activities of Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights Defenders (IPHRDs) and IPOs by state and non-state actors continues both in the CHT and in the plains resulting in arbitrary arrests, detention and intimidation of them. In 2016, fabricated cases were filed against at least 191 IPOs and IPHRDs activists including 42 innocent indigenous villagers in the plain land, while 80 activists including 3 public representatives were arrested and more than 81 persons including 4 from the plain land were detained briefly.

In 2016, at least 23 indigenous fellows (including 6 indigenous women and girls, please see ‘Chapter IV: Situation of Women and Girls’ Rights’) were killed in the CHT and in the plains. Despite the rulings against extrajudicial killings by the Supreme Court of the country, quite a number of indigenous peoples were reported to have been extra-judicially killed in 2016. The most ghastly and atrocious incident was the killing of 3 Santals in Gaibandha by police firing.

At least, 96 members of indigenous communities were physically tortured and harassed, and 297 houses including a Buddhist Temple were searched and ransacked by law enforcement agencies while conducting a search operation. At least 3 communal attacks by fanatics, land grabbers and settlers were carried out against indigenous peoples in which their houses and properties were destroyed and looted. As many as 200 houses belonging to indigenous Santals were set on fire and burnt to ashes by land grabbers in presence of the law enforcing agencies and security forces in Gaibandha district in November, 2016. In a video of this incident that went viral in the electronic and social media, police were seen setting fire to the indigenous Santal houses.

The district administration in the CHT were alleged to be indulged in forbidding assemblies and rallies organized by various IPOs. For instances, Khagrachari district administration and law enforcement agencies prohibited, on a number of occasions, formation of human chains organized by IPOs and Civil Society organizations including a 300 kilometre-long in the three hill districts of the CHT on 9 January 2016 demanding for proper, speedy and fullest implementation of the CHT Accord and formation of an independent Land Commission for indigenous peoples of the plain land. This is also disturbing that despite constitutional guarantee in regards to equal status and equal rights in practicing any religious faiths other than Islam, there were alleged reports of religious persecution on indigenous peoples and other religious minorities continues.http://kapaeeng.org/kapaeeng-foundation-launches-human-rights-report-2016-on-indigenous-peoples-in-bangladesh/