A Jumma UP chairman arrested allegedly for involvement with the kidnapping of settler fishermen in Barkal

A Jumma UP chairman arrested allegedly for involvement with the kidnapping of settler fishermen in Barkal

Following the missing of 5 Bengali settler fishermen, Chairman of the Bhushanchara union named Mr. Dilip Kumar Chakma has been arrested by the police alleging involvement with this incident. It is also alleged that indiscriminate harassment on local indigenous Jumma people is being continued in Barkal upazila of Rangamati district in connection with this incident.

It is learnt that on 4 December 2011 at night time five Bengali settler fishermen went missing from Karnafuly lake area of Tagalakbak-Amtala area under Barkal upazila adjacent to the border of Indian State of Mizoram. They went there from Bhushanchara area under Barkal upazila for fishing.

It is learnt that 10 settler fishermen went there in two boats (5 in each) for fishing. Five of them who were in a boat together were kidnapped, but other five fishermen returned back to home safely. It is also mentionable that the returnee fishermen did not inform the incident to the nearest Tagalakbak BGB camp or Bara Harina Mukh BGB camp. After passing those two camps, they came to Choto Harina Bazaar and informed the incident to 18 BGB Battalion zone situated at Choto Harina Bazaar under Barkal upazila in Rangamati district. It is also learnt that last year BGB authority ordered Bengali settler fishermen not to go for fishing to that border areas which are known as ‘Zero Point’ and regarded as ‘No Man’s Land’ area.

Following the news of the kidnapping of the fishermen, Sama Odhikar Andolan, a communal organisation and other communal groups have become very prompt to instigate the Bengali settlers to make attack on Jumma people indiscriminately. They have been trying to spread communal tension in the area and to organise demonstrations.

On 16 December 2011 Bengali settlers brought down 9 indigenous Pangkhuas including Christian priest Mr. George John and Mr. Roak Tha at Bhushanchara Bazaar from a launch which is approaching to Rangamati from Bara Harina bazaar and tried to assault on them. However, the Pangkhuas narrowly escaped from the attack as the BGB personnel rushed there to save them.

On 19 December 2011 the Bengali settlers in association with the influential vested interest groups filed a case with Barkal police station against 24 Jummas including Chairman of Bhushanchara Union Parishad accusing them falsely for involvement with the incident. Accordingly, at the evening time, police arrested Mr. Dilip Kumar Chakma, Chairman of Bhushanchara Union Parishad from Petrol Pump area of Banarupa Bazaar of Rangamati Town. Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum Rangamati district committee in a press release on 22 December 2011 signed by its President Mr. Arun Kanti Chakma and General Secretary Mr. S M Chowdhury condemned and protested the arrest and demanded immediate release of Dilip Kumar Chakma.

It is learnt that hundreds of innocent Jumma villagers of Bara Harina union, Bhushanchara union and many of Aimachara union are fleeing away leaving their homes and villages fearing any communal attack from the nearby Bengali settlers. As they cannot go to bazaar or anywhere else, they are suffering much in their daily life. Many children could not attend their annual examination due to security problem, as there is no alternative route except river route where Bengali settler habitats exist. Even Jumma students of some 26 government and registered primary schools could not attend their scholarship examination of class four for the same problem. 

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courtesy: Kapaeeng Foundation