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Mahalchari Burnt Ricemill

On 26 August 2003, Bangladesh army in league with Muslim settlers attacked the indigenous Buddhist people in Mahalchari. Bangladesh army and Muslim settlers set fire on more than 370 indigenous Buddhist houses. An indigenous Chakma man and an indigenous Chakma infant (8 months) were killed. More than 1000 indigenous Buddhist people were rendered homeless. Lemucharipara Buddhist Temple and Babupara Buddhist Temple were burnt down. Lord Buddha's images were demolished. Bangladesh army and Muslim settlers raped 10 indigenous Chakma women.


Bangladesh army continue to terrorize the indigenous people in the name of Operation Uttaran

As of August 2003, the Bangladesh army is still involved in influencing the civil administration. Military operation is continuing in the name of Operation Uttaran. Under the Operation Uttaran the Bangladesh army and military forces are conducting raids on indigenous villages, checking vehicles, harassing indigenous people etc. Military check posts are found on Rangarnati‑Chittagong road, Khagrachari‑Chittagong road, Bandarban­Chittagong road, Khagrachari‑Rarngarh road as before. The military personal who were proved to be involved in crime and human rights violation never brought under trial and there is no tribunal for their punishment. Even in cases of killing civilians. Since the signing of the CHT Accord more than 400 indigenous people were arrested and tortured, 15 women were raped by the military. Religious persecution is still continuing and Bangladesh army continue to meddle in social activities of the indigenous people.

The pacification program of the Bangladesh army still continues, under which the army receives thousands of tons of food grains from the government and who in turn gets it from foreign donors. Bangladesh army uses these food grains in ethnic cleansing programme. Most of the food grains are supplied to the Muslim settlers that helps them grab indigenous lands, construction of houses on newly occupied lands, providing health and sanitation facilities etc. Some recent instances are the construction of houses in Billachara of Shuvalong union under Barkal and Lemuchari under Mohalchari.

Under the pacification program, the Bangladesh army undertakes steps to morally destroy indigenous youths. The army is providing money to some loyal vested quarter in the name of establishing clubs and organizations. This money is used in buying drugs and getting involved in anti‑social activities. The army authority is fully aware of the activities of drug traffickers but no step has been taken against it. Consequently, entrance of drug takes place without any obstacles in the CHT and addiction of drug among the indigenous youths, particularly in Khagrachari and Rangamati is increasingly become a threat to the indigenous society.

The anti‑accord elements (UPDF) are receiving shelters and other necessary assistance from the military in carrying out their anti‑peace activities such as extortion, kidnapping, killing etc. For instance, UPDF activists receives shelter from the military camps in Kutukchari under Rangamati. Betchari under Barkal, Ghilachari under Naniarchar and Babuchara under Dighinala, Giriphool under Khagrachari and they have toll collection posts nearby these military camps.

Although, according to the CHT Accord, all temporary military camps are to be withdrawn, but only 31 camps have been withdrawn so far. The present government has not withdrawn a single camp. Further initiatives have been taken to establish new camps and military training centers. Moreover, recently some Armed Police Battalion (APB), for instance, in Khagrachari sadar and Bilaichari in Rangainati have been replaced by the army.


Sources:

PCJSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)
E-mail: pcjss.org@gmail.com, pcjss@hotmail.com
Website: pcjss-cht.org

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