On 2 February 1992 Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers killed at least 30 indigenous Chakma Buddhists at Mallya. 2 of them were Bijay Chakma and Samiran Chakma, the sons of Saral Kumar Chakma. Two bombs exploded on a river ferry at Mallya. The explosion killed a passenger and seriously injured the skipper of the ferry. The survivors swam ashore but the armed Muslim settlers were waiting for them and attacked the indigenous Chakma Buddhists - men women and children.

Bangladesh army and settlers massacre indigenous people in Naniachar

1. Prelude to Massacre

   There is a passenger shed at Naniachar Bazaar Ferry Port. But the passengers cannot use it because Bangladesh army are using it as a checkpost to harass, detain, torture, rape and even murder indigenous passengers.

   While going to attend the Annual Conference of the Naniachar Branch of the Hill Student Council (HSC) held near Naniachar Bazaar on 27 Oct. 1993, Mr. Prasit Bikash Khisa, the President of the HSC, Mr. Shaktiman Chakma, the Vice President of the HSC and their colleagues were also detained and harassed at the Passenger Shed.

   At the conference, the indigenous students naturally, demanded the withdrawal of the military checkpost from the Passenger Shed besides autonomy for the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the removal of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Muslim settlers from the CHT.

   Again while returning home same day at the end of the conference, Bangladesh army detained the students at the Passenger Shed for several hours, prevented them from boarding boats and ferries. Much later Bangladesh army compelled the indigenous students to go home on foot.

   To protest about the harassment, the HSC held peaceful processions and meetings at various towns throughout the CHT on 28-29 Oct. 1993. Although democracy has been restored in Bangladesh, the democratically elected Regime of Begum Khaleda Zia has not yet restored democracy to the CHT. As a result, Bangladesh police attacked the students in Khagrachari, Bandarban, Dighinala, Panchari and so on and arrested several of them.

   Again, the HSC staged further peaceful protest demonstrations on Oct. 30, 1993, not only to demand the release of the arrested students but also to re-establish democracy in the CHT. This time, Bangladesh police attacked the students more violently than on the previous occasion, particularly at Khagrachari, injuring over one hundred students and arresting another twelve.

   On Nov. 2, 1993, the Naniachar Branch of the HSC organised another peaceful meeting at Naniachar and demanded that the passenger shed must be vacated by Bangladesh army and restored to the public. It also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of the Rangamati District through the Naniachar Nirbahi (Administrative) Officer requesting both the officers to get the Military check post withdrawn from the passenger shed before 16 Nov. 1993. It also told them that the agitation would continue till the demand was met.

   Needless to say, the said officers simply ignored the just demand of the HSC. So, the indigenous students held a peaceful protest procession and a peaceful protest meeting at the Naniachar Bazaar on 17 Nov. 1993 to press on their demand.

2. The Bengali Samanway Parishad (Bengali Coordination Council)

   Since the 5th round of dialogue held between the Bangladesh Government Commission (BGC) and the Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) on 18 Sept. 1993, Bangladesh Government has been stepping up its ethnic cleansing campaign in the CHT. For instance it has mobilised the Bangladeshi infiltrators under the banner of the Bengali Samanway Parishad (BSP). BSP is a government backed hit squad responsible for carrying out government's ethnic cleansing programme in the CHT.

   Under the secret direction of Bangladesh government various agencies particularly DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence) and Bangladesh army drew up plans to attack indigenous protesters in full consultation with the civil administration and Bangladesh police. Then the plans are jointly executed by Bangladesh army, Bangladesh police and Muslim settlers in such a way so that the blame does not fall on Bangladesh army or Bangladesh police if there is any blame ever.

   Bangladesh government sees the JSS as a big thorn in its neck. Now, it is realising that the HSC has become another thorn in its flesh. The ever growing indigenous student agitation is causing additional concern to the Bangladesh government, who in great panic decided to nip it in the bud and directed the said government agencies to crush it once and for all at the Naniachar meeting.

   In compliance with the orders of the Begum Khaleda Zia regime, the DGFI and the Naniachar Zone Commander Leut. Col. Abu Nayem and his colleagues of the 40 East Bengal Regiment of the Bangladesh Army drew up the blueprint of the Naniachar massacre and got it endorsed by the Naniachar Nirbahi Officer (the local civil administration) and Mr. Amzad Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge of the Naniachar Police Station. These military, police and civil officers instructed the following leaders of the Bangladesh Samanway Parishadto recruit as many Muslim settlers as possible, arm them with knives, spears, iron bars, wooden and bamboo sticks, and execute the Naniachar massacre.

   1. Mr. Ahmed Mia, a member of the Naniachar Union Parishad (Council) of No. 1 ward and also a leader of the Parbattya Gana Parishad an organisation of Muslim settlers
   2. Mr. Abdul Latif, the chairman of the Burighat Union Parishad
   3. Mr. Ayub Hossain, the ex chairman of the Burighat Union Parishad

   Bangladesh army deployed Naik Nasir, Naik Jahangir and their colleagues of the 40 East Bengal Regiment to conduct the massacre. At the sametime, Bangladesh police appointed Amjad Hossain, the 0fficer—in-Charge of the Naniachar Police Station and his colleagues Sub-Inspector Mohammad Khaleque and Assistant sub-Inspector Mohammad Fazlu to assist the Bangladesh army personnel and the Muslim settlers in executing the pogrom.

   In collusion with Bangladesh army, Naniachar Nirbahi Officer and Deputy Commissioner paved the way for the massacre by not meeting the genuine demand of the indigenous students and thereby compelling them to hold the protest meeting at the Naniachar Bazaar.

3. The execution of the massacre

   On 17 Nov. 1993, unarmed indigenous students started a peaceful procession at 12:30 p.m. and a meeting at 1:15 p.m. in an area of Naniachar Bazaar, which is surrounded by the Kaptai Lake on all sides except the north eastern part.

   At about 2:30 p.m. Leut. Col. Abu Nayem sent a wireless message to the Burighat Sub-Zone Army Commander asking him to send the Muslim settler contingent from Burighat to the Naniachar Bazaar immediately.

   Muslim settlers of Naniachar led by BSP hit squad and armed with lethal weapons and shouting Islamic and anti indigenous slogans arrived at the Naniachar Bazaar at about 4 p.m. and stopped in front of the police who were standing by the assembled indigenous students. Perhaps, it is important to note that police did not make any attempt either to disarm the Muslim settlers or to disperse them. Few minutes later, another contingent of similarly armed Muslim settlers from Burighat led by BSP arrived at the Naniachar Bazaar by 5 boats. But Bangladesh army personnel at the Naniachar Bazaar Ferry Ghat (port) also neither disarmed them nor stopped them.

   Just before letting the Muslim settlers attack the indigenous students, Mr. Amzad Hossain the Officer-in-Charge of the Naniachar Police Station sent a message about the prevailing tension in the Naniachar Bazaar to the Deputy Commissioner of the Rangamati district. He sent a message apparently to absolve the Naniachar's army, police and civil administration from comitting the massacre and also to dump the blame on the indigenous students and BSP. Very short notice was clearly intended to give the Muslim settlers and BSP hit squad sufficient time to carry out the massacre before the higher authorities derail the scheme by making timely intervention.

   After sending the message to Rangamati, Mr. Amzad Hossain, DGFI and Bangladesh army commanders directed the BSP and Muslim settlers to attack the defenseless indigenous students. Muslim settlers attacked helpless indigenous students with knives, spears, iron bars, wooden sticks and bamboo sticks.

   It was a market day and so many indigenous people came to Naniachar Bazaar for buying and selling goods. Many indigenous people were travelling by boats via Naniachar Bazaar. There is an indigenous residential area in Naniachar Bazaar. After finishing the attack on the indigenous student assembly, Muslim settlers turned on any indigenous in the bazaar, at the Naniachar Bazaar Ferry Ghat (river port), on ferries, boats and in indigenous residential area. Muslim settlers killed, beat and robbed all indigenous men, women and children they found in the area. They set fire on indigenous houses and shops in the bazaar.

   Indigenous people who could not flee the bazaar because of water on 3 sides. They however tried to escape along the only land route on the north eastern side, but that route was also manned by Bangladesh army and police. So it was almost impossible for the indigenous people to get out of the area. Those who tried to flee along the north eastern route were either butchered by the Muslim settlers or shot by the Bangladesh army and police. The bazaar was turned into a slaughter house.

   Muslim settlers boarded the ferries and boats at Naniachar Bazaar Ferry Ghat, murdered the indigenous passengers, and threw their bodies into the lake. Many tried to flee the bazaar by swimming across the lake. Muslim settlers chased them by boat and hacked, speared and clubbed them to death. Many injured indigenous people were taken to various hospitals possibly to let them die without treatment. Not a single dead body was returned to relatives for cremation. In short, the government meticulously destroyed most of the evidence of the murdered victims in order to conceal the large scale of the massacre.

   When Mr. Amzad Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge of the Naniachar Police Station sent the message to Rangamati, the Deputy Commissioner was holding a meeting at his office at which Mr. Moni Swapan Dewan, the chairman of the Rangamati Municipality was also present.

   On receiving the message, the Deputy Commissioner, the Bangladesh army commander of the Rangamati region and Mr. Moni Swapan Dewan left for the Naniachar Bazaar. They saw for themselves the killing of the helpless indigenous people by the Muslim settlers. Even the Deputy Commissioner himself snatched away a spear from a Muslim settler who was attacking the indigenous people. In spite of the presence of the Deputy Commissioner, the killing of the indigenous people continued unabated. The massacre began at about 4:15 p.m. and continued till 11:00 p.m.

   At about 6:30 p.m, Leut. Col. Abu Nayem the commander of the Naniachar Zone sent a wireless message to Maj. Gen. Azizur Rahman the GOC (General-Officer—Commanding) of the Chittagong Division of the Bangladesh army. In the message Leut. Col. Abu Nayem said- "the Naniachar massacre has been committed nicely", indicating that the massacre was premeditated.

4. The extent of the massacre

   At least some thousand indigenous people gathered in the Naniachar Bazaar on that market day for purchase or sale of commodities. On top of that many hundred indigenous students assembled in the bazaar area to hold their protest meeting. Moreover, some hundred indigenous passers by and passengers were travelling via the Naniachar Bazaar. All these indigenous people were caught in the death trap of the Naniachar Bazaar. Not many of them appeared to have escaped the butchering. So the number of death must be very high. It is not yet possible to know the exact number of casualties.

   According to a preliminary report at least 66 indigenous people were murdered, over were 500 injured, many of them very seriously and many are still missing. Only Bangladesh army, polic, civil administration and Muslim settlers of Naniachar know how many bodies had been thrown into the Karnafuli Lake and how many bodies were burnt to ashes.

   Not a single Muslim shop or residence was robbed nor damaged. Similarly, neither a single Muslim settler, nor an army man nor a police man was ingured or killed during the pogrom. These evidence confirm that all the indigenous people were unarmed and totally peaceful. Therefore, they lay the blame firmly and squarely on Bangladesh army, police, civil administration and Muslim settlers of Naniachar.

5. The massive cover up of the enormous extent of the massacre

   Bangladesh army, police, civil administration and Muslim settlers set to hide the evidence immediately after comitting the massacre. They disposed the bodies by dumping them into the lake. They also burnt the bodies which were hit by bullets clearly to conceal the fact that Bangladeshi security forces also took part in the mass killings.

   To distort the facts and to fabricate the evidence, Bangladesh army, police and civil administration of Naniachar initially told the Bangladeshi news media that only 5 people were killed and 19 were injured including one Muslim settler in a clash between the indigenous students and the Muslim settlers. Later of course they raised the death toll to 19 and wounded figure to 85 including 2 more Muslim settlers having been killed. They also gave the names of the Muslim settlers. In fact, those Muslim settlers were killed during earlier fights between Bangladesh army and Muslim settlers on the one side and the Shanti Bahini on the other. Bangladesh army always take a contingent of Muslim settlers along with them whenever they raid indigenous villages or the Shanti Bahini (SB) camps. The Bangladeshi regime is giving false information with a view to misleading the international community.

6. Public protest

   On 19 Nov. 1993, the HSC held peaceful processions and meetings throughout the CHT and also at the Press Club in Dhaka to protest over the Naniachar massacre, to condemn the Bangladeshi regime and the Muslim settlers and to demand judicial inquiry into the mass killings. Many indigenous leaders such as Mr. Subimal Dewan, an ex-Adviser to the Bangladesh President, Mr. Binoy Kumar Dewan, an ex-Adviser to the Bangladesh President, the leaders of the Hill People Council, the leaders of the Hill Women Federation and so on expressed grave concern over the massacre and demanded the punishment of those people who were responsible for the mass killings.

   On 21 Nov. 1993, a team of the Awami League led by Mr. Ataur Rahaman Khan, the Finance and Planning Secretary of the party and consisting of Mr. Mostaque Ahmed Chowdhury MP, Mr. Kalpa Ranjan Chakma MP, Mr. Rayhan Uddin Khan, the president of the Rangamati branch of the Awami League, Mr. Chingkya Roaza, the General Secretary of the Rangamati branch of the Awami League, Mrs. Sudipta Dewan ex-MP and others visited Naniachar Bazaar. They unanimously blamed the government for the massacre and demanded an impartial probe into the killings.

   A team of Five Party Alliance jointly led by Mr. Abu Sayeed Khan, the Secretary for Education and Culture of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Mr. Faizul Hakim of the Ganatantrik Biplobi Jote inspected the affected area same day. They held the government responsible for the massacre and called for a Judicial enquiry into the progrom.

   Several political and student organisations namely the Chittagong Branch of Communist Party Bangladesh, Dr. Kamal A. Khan, the Convenor of the Chittagong Branch of the Sampradayik Sampriti Parishad (Communal Harmony Council), Bangladesh Chhatra League, Samajtantrik Student Front and so forth condemned the government for the massacre and asked for an independent judicial enquiry into the said genocide. Many human rights groups and humane countries have pressed the government to set up an inquiry commission to investigate the alleged killings.

7. Government's deliberate belated actions

   Government began to take actions only after finishing the pogrom at the Naniachar Bazaar. The Deputy Commissioner of the Rangamati Hill District visited the affected area only in the evening of 17 Nov. 1993, when the massacre was nearly finished.

   The Minister of Bangladesh for Home Affairs Mr. Abdul Matin Chowdhury inspected the Naniachar Bazaar area the following day. By that time Bangladesh army, police, civil administration and Muslim settlers of Naniachar had disposed of the bodies of the indigenous victims.

   Chittagong Divisional Commissioner also paid a visit to Naniachar Bazaar on 19 Nov. 1993 when all the evidence of the killings were meticulously destroyed.

   The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia did not even care to visit the affected area. However members of parliament led by the Bangladesh Communication Minister Col. Oli Ahmed went to Naniachar Bazaar and held a public meeting on 24 Nov. 1993. In the meeting, the opposition members- Mr. Rashed Khan Menon, Mr. Kalpa Ranjan Chakma and their colleagues said, "the indigenous students have the right to stage peaceful demonstrations and meetings in the democratic country of Bangladesh".

   The belated government intervention was nothing but an eye wash for the international community. Perhaps, it is important to note that neither Mr. Abdul Matin Chowdhury, the Deputy Comissioner of Rangamati district nor the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner took any actions against Bangladesh army, police, civil administration and Muslim settlers of Naniachar for committing a cold blooded massacre.

   Public outcry, concerted protest by opposition parties and enormous international pressure have forced Bangladesh government to appoint Justice Habibur Rahman of Supreme Court on 18 Nov. 1993 to investigate the Naniachar massacre. Indigenous people fear that the original enquiry report will never be made public because the government had not published all the previous original inquiry reports despite repeated requests by the indigenous people, Bangladeshi people and human rights groups.

8. List of some indigenous victims who were killed

   1. Mr. Sapya Chakma (22), son of Mr. Ranga Lal Chakma of Naniachar Bazaar.
   2. Mr. Chandu Muni Chakma (42), son of Mr. Aditya Mohan Chakma.
   3. Mrs. Mangala Chakma (70), wife of Mr. Purna Kanta Chakma of above address.
   4. Mr. Ramani Kista Chakma (65), son of Mr. Punya Charan Chakma of Naniachar Bazaar.
   5. Mr. Rattuya Ram Chakma (30), son of Mr. Dannuya Chakma of the above address.
   6. Mr. Kaladhan Chakma (40), son of Mr. Suttradhar Chakma of the above address.
   7. Mr. Fani Bhushan Chakma (32), son of Mr. Anadi Ranjan Karbari of the Firingi Para village, Sabekshyang Mouza, Naniachar.
   8. Mr. Shobhapurna Chakma (20), son of Mr. Mangal Chakma of Rangi Para village, Gabachari Mouza, Naniachar.
   9. Mr. Bana Bihari Chakma (60), son of Mr. Samachandra Chakma of Barpul Para, Sabekshyang Mouza, Naniachar.
   10. Mr. Arjun Mani Chakma (35), son of Mr. Kalindra Chakma of Rishi Bill area, Betchari Mouza, Naniachar.
   11. Mr. Kandari Bap Chakma (50) of Mahajan Para village, Sabekshyang Mouza, Naniachar.
   12. Mr. Raganya Chakma (40), son of Mr. Bashanta Kumar Chakma of Talukder Para, Betchari Mouza, Naniachar.
   13. Mr. Dhirendra Chakma (65), son of Mr. Nanda Kumar Chakma of the Perachara, Betchari Mouza, Naniachar.
   14. Mr. Samiran Chakma (38), son of Mr. Ashok Kumar Chakma of Kalindipur, Rangamati Town.
   15. Mr. Jandhuram Chakma (42), son of Mr. Surjya Kanta Chakma of Chilyatali, Betchari Mouza, Naniachar.
   16. Mr. Dhakka Cheda Chakma (50), son of Mr. Chandra Kanta Chakma of Dainey Sabekshyang, Jadugachara Mouza, Naniachar.
   17. Master Shanti Kumar Chakma (15), son of Mr. Raj Kumar Chakma, Marachengimukh, Naniachar.
   18. Master Marat Sabuya Chakma (16), son of Mr. Bira Sen Chakma of Bakcharimukh, Naniachar.
   19. Mr. Mongsai Pru Roaza (26), son of Mr. Aggai Roaza of Pulipara village, Nanakrom Mouza, Naniachar.
   20. Mr. Mongpai Roaza (25), son of Athui Aung Roaza of above address.
   21. Mr. Jagat Jyoti Chakma (25) of Barapul Para, Naniachar
   22. Mr. Ushai Marma (28), son of Mr. Aprushi Marma of Kamalchari village, Khagrachari, Khagrachari district.
   23. Miss Suji Bala Chakma, her address is not known.
   24. Mr. Mahakali Chakma, his address is not known.
   25. Mr. Rajanta Lal Chakma, his address is not known.
   26. Mr. Satya Priya Chakma, his address is not known.
   27. Mr. Ormani Khisa, his address is not known.
   28. Mr. Ujjal Chakma, his address is not known.
   29. Miss Nipa Chakma, a student of B.A. first year, her address is not known.
   30. Rev. Bodhi Priya Bhikshu, a Buddhist Monk of the Patachari Buddhist Temple at Patachari village, Naniachar and so on.

9. List Of Some Who Were Injured

   1. Mr. Tapas Tripura (23), the General Secretary of the Naniachar Branch of the HSC, son of Mr. Deba Priya Tripura of Khullyang Para, Naniachar.
   2. Miss Kamana Dewan of the above address.
   3. Mra. Bimala Chakma (37), of above address
   4. Mr. Singha Moni Chakma (60), son of Mr. Faria Chakma of Khullyang Para, Maischari Mouza, Naniachar.
   5. Mr. Shandiga Chakma (31), son of Mr. Dina Mohan Chakma of the above address.
   6. Mr. Ananda Prakash Chakma, the Organising Secretary of the Naniachar Branch of the HSC, son of Mr. Fula Kishore Chakma of above address.
   7. Mr. Kangja Aung Marma (30), son of Mr. Muila Aung Marma of the Pulipara, Naniachar.
   8. Mr. Priya Ranjan Chakma (27), son of Mr. Mangal Dhan Chakma of Toichakma village, Naniachar.
   9. Mr. August Moni Chakma (40), son of Mr. Prahlad Chakma of Noa Adam Para, Naniachar.
   10. Mr. Jagat Chandra Chakma (52), son of Mr. Biraj Mahan Chakma of above address.
   11. Mr. Dharma Jyoti Chakma (43), son of Mr. Golak Chandra Chakma of Naniachar Bazaar.
   12. Mr. Nipul Chandra Chakma (35), son of late Tunu Mohan Chakma of above address.
   13. Mr. Jyoti Lal Chakma (23), Vice-President of Naniachar Branch of HSC, son of Mr. Nagar Chand Chakma of Bangmara Hala village, Naniachar.
   14. Mr. Jyotirmoy Chakma (23), the Finance Secretary of the Naniachar Brangh of HSC, son of Mr. Bulu Chakma of Dakbanglo village, Naniachar.
   15. Mr. Ujjal Kanti Chakma (21) a member of Naniachar Branch of the HSC, son of Mr. Urang Kana Chakma of Nagel Para village, Naniachar.
   16. Mr. Samar Kanti Chakma (23), Joint Secretary of Naniachar Branch of the HSC, son of Mr. Urang Kana Chakma of above address.
   17. Mr. Ratnakar Chakma (18), a member of Naniachar Branch of HSC, son of Mr. Jayanta Kumar Chakma of Barbil Para, Naniachar.
   18. Mr. Priti Chakma, President of Naniachar Branch of the HSC, son of Mr. Banshi Mohan Chakma of Dosar Para, Naniachar.
   19. Miss Nayan Tara Chakma, a 10th grade student from Betchari village, Naniachar.
   20. Ms. Punya Shobha Chakma, she was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, her address is not known.
   21. Mr. Shanti Bikash Chakma (35), his address is not known.
   22. Mr. Moni Chakma (28), his address is not known.
   23. Mr. Behari Lal Chakma (22), his address is not known.
   24. Mr. Nitya Ranjan Khisa (45), his address is not known.
   25. Mrs. Kiran Bala Chakma (70), her address is not known.
   26. Mr. Bulu Chakma (35), his address is not known.
   27. Mr. Ranga Chitta Chakma, his address is not known.
   28. Ms. Premala Chakma (21), address unknown.
   29. Mr. Bira Bhadra Chakma (35), address unknown and so on.

10. List Of Some Who Are Missing

    1. Mr. Mong Sai Pru Marma of Shilachari Monpara village.
    2. Master Anilya Chakma, a student of grade 10 from Monatek village, Mahalchari.
    3. Mr. Bharat Chandra Chakma (60), son of late Kala Bujjya Chakma of Morachengi village, Sabekshyang Mouza, Naniachar.
    4. Mr. Shandalya Chakma (19), son of Mr. Chuchchang Mua Chakma of Harinath Chara village, Jadugachara Mouza, Naniachar.
    5. Mr. Mono Ranjan Chakma (60), son of late Surendra Lal Chakma of Nanakrom village, Naniachar.
    6. Master Prem Kumar Chakma (16), son of Mr. Mono Ranjan Chakma of above address.
    7. Master Milan Chakma (13), son of Mr. Mono Ranjan Chakma of above address.
    8. Mr. Priya Ranjan Chakma (35), son of Mr. Chikan Mohan Chakma of Krishnama Chara village, Naniachar.
    9. Mr. Surujit Mohan Chakma (30), son of Mr. Hema Ranjan Chakma of Talukder Para village, Betchari Mouza, Naniachar.
    10. Mr. Anadi Ranjan Chakma (22), son of Mr. Kalossya Chakma of Jurippya Para village, Naniachar.
    11. Mr. Ranjan Chakma (21), son of Mr. Birajoy Chakma of Kukurmora village, Bogachari Mouza, Naniachar.
    12. Mr. Bana Bihari Dewan (34), son of Mr. Rajendra Lal Dewan of Khullyang Para village, Maischari Mouza, Naniachar.
    13. Mr. Binod Bihari Chakma of Kerenganala village, Mahalchari.
    14. Mr. Ratan Jyoti Chakma his address is not known and so on.

PS: This report was written by Ramendu Shekhar Dewan, a Spokesman of the Jana Samhati Samiti on 9 January 1994

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