BGB complicity in the Longudu arson attack alleged
February 18, 2011
JUMMA leaders in Longudu have alleged that members of the Border
Guards Bangladesh were complicit in the arson attacks on two Jumma
villages on 17 February.
They made the allegation while speaking to a team of journalists who
visited Longudu yesterday, Friday.
The following report has been prepared on the basis of a communication
from one of the four journalists who visited the place of occurrence.
A. Origin of the incident
On 15 February, two settler Bengalis – Saber Ali and Md. Shahid – from
Rahamatpur village under Gulchakhali Union of Longudu Upazila in
Rangamati district went to a nearby jungle in Gulchakhali area to
collect Phuljharu (Mio in Chakma).
While Md. Shahid returned from work, Saber Ali did not. On Wednesday
morning, his lifeless body was found lying on Rangipara road.
The settlers blamed the Jummas for his death although they failed to
provide any kind of evidence in support of their claim, and on
Thursday, 17 February, the Sama Odhikar Andolon, a platform of the
settler Bengalis, staged a demonstration at Longudu Upazila
headquarters chanting anit-Jumma slogans.
The settlers also beat up two Jumma students – Apilo Chakma, 20, of
Shijokmukh village in Baghaichari and Mongolaion Chakma, 15, of Simana
Para villae in Barkal. They were admitted to Rangamati Sadar Hospital
with serious wounds.
In the evening of Thursday, 17 February, the settlers attacked two
villages – Ranjitpara in Gulchakhali Union and Rangipara in Bogachotor
Union.
The settlers beat up Shukra Chakma and his wife during the attack in
Rangipara. Their daughter’s wedding ceremony was scheduled to take
place the following day. It was foiled.
According to Sukho Moy Chakma, former chairman of Longudu Sadar Union,
and Mongol Kanti Chakma, incumbent chairman of Attarokchara union, the
settlers set 22 houses belonging to the Jumma people afire. The
settlers were also engaged in widespread looting.
They said a team of BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh) personnel arrived
at Rangipara when they knew of the beating of the two Jummas. The
settlers had not set fire to the houses by then.
“As soon as the BGB men reached the spot, the settlers began to set
fire to the houses.” they added.
At least 22 houses and a BRAC-run school have been burnt to ashes.
B. Name of those whose houses were torched
RanjitPara
1. Singha Moni Chakma, 45, son of Atendra Chakma, properties worth
Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
2. Doya Moy Chakma, 60, son of late Jagulukya Chakma, properties worth
Taka 60 thousand were damaged or looted.
3. Swapan Chakma, 35, son of Kshetra Mohan Chakma, properties worth
Taka 250,000 were damaged or looted.
4. Basanti Lata Chakma, 60, w/o late Gyana Ratan Chakma, properties
worth Taka 70 thousand were damaged or looted.
5. Sneha Kumar Chakma, 26, son of Ranjit Chakma, properties worth Taka
50 thousand were damaged or looted.
6. Milon Chakma, 35, son of Ranjit Chakma, properties worth Taka 100
thousand were damaged or looted.
7. Montu Chakma, 45, son of Sumoti Kumar Chakma, properties worth Taka
100 thousand were damaged or looted.
8. Bimal Kanti Chakma, 45, son of late Birendra Chakma, properties
worth Taka 100 thousand were damaged or looted.
9. Gyana Lal Chakma, 45, son of Kali Charan Chakma, properties worth
Taka 70 thousand were damaged or looted.
10. Chandu Chakma, 35, son of Mon Mohan Chakma, properties worth Taka
150 thousand were damaged or looted.
11. Mon Mohan Chakma, 65, son of Jonmojoy Chakma, properties worth
Taka 200 thousand were damaged or looted.
12. Priti Moy Chakma, 35, son of Box Chakma, properties worth Taka 100
thousand were damaged or looted.
13. Sona Ram Chakma, 52, son of late Kebol Chandra Chakma, properties
worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
14. Shambhu Ranjan Chakma, 50, son of Baro Bandhu Chakma, properties
worth Taka 70 thousand were damaged or looted.
15. Shushil Kumar Chakma, 35, son of late Badsha Dhan Chakma,
properties worth Taka 60 thousand were damaged or looted.
16. Binoy Chakma, 28, son of late Badsha Dhan Chakma, properties worth
Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
17. Sukho Moy Chakma, 35, son of Rajeeb Chandra Chakma, properties
worth Taka 60 thousand were damaged or looted.
18. Buddha Dhan Chakma, 33, son of Modon Kumar Chakma, properties
worth Taka 50 thousand were damaged or looted.
19. A BRAC school.
Rangipara
1. Shukra Chakma, 50, son of late Pradeep Chandra Chakma, properties
worth Taka 200 thousand were damaged or looted.
2. Omiyo Kanti Chakma, 45, son of late Dhirendra Chakma, properties
worth Taka 200 thousand were damaged or looted.
3. Amalendu Chakma, 40, son of Baro Bandhu Chakma, properties worth
Taka 150 thousand were damaged or looted.
4. Ripon Chakma, 28, son of Ramesh Chandra Chakma, properties worth
Taka 80 thousand were damaged or looted.
C. Law and order meeting
On Friday, a meeting was held at Longudu Upazila Parishad Auditorium
to review the law and order situation of the area.
At the meeting, an inquiry committee was constituted with Longudu
Upazila Nirbahi Officer, A. F. M. Fazle Rabbi as its head to probe the
incident. The committee will submit its findings within 15 days.
The other members of the inquiry committee included vice chairman of
Longudu Upazila Md. Janey Alam, chairman of Gulchakhali Union Council
Abu Taleb, president of Longudu Upazila Awami League Abdul Barek
Sarkar, chairman of Attarok Chara Union Parishad Mongol Kanti Chakma,
chairman of Longudu Sadar Union Shuko Moy Chakma and Binoy Karbari.
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