Blast in Hills: Tragedy thrust upon them

Following is the news from Bangladeshi English daily "The Daily Star" on the victim of Rangamti grenade attack:

Blast in Hills

Tragedy thrust upon them

Jibon Chakma, on his bed at Pangu Hospital in the capital, awaits surgery that could leave him without a leg. He along with Kamonasish Chakma, inset, and Babu Dhan was injured in a bomb attack in Rangamati last week. Photo: Rashed Shumon

 

While his classmates prepare for upcoming exams, critically injured Jibon Chakma lies on a hospital bed trying to come to terms with the fact that his right leg might be amputated from his knee to save his life.

Jibon, a victim of last week's bomb blast in Rangamati, was to undergo a third round of surgery yesterday which was postponed because of severe bleeding in his leg.

Earlier, physicians at Physicians National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) Hospital informed his family that the spread of infection from his severely damaged leg might threaten his life.

A third year student of Construction Technology at Bangladesh-Swedish Polytechnic Institute (BSPI), Jibon is among 14 activists of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) injured on May 20 when unidentified assailants hurled a bomb at a group of PCP activists after they attended a council meeting.

Mongsa Ching Marma, 20, later succumbed to his injuries at Chittagong Medical College Hospital last Tuesday.

Critically injured Jibon, Babu Dhan Chakma and Kamonasish Chakma were shifted to Pangu Hospital from Chittagong Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) last Monday.

Jibon's brother Robindra Chakma told The Daily Star on Saturday that the doctors had talked to the family about his brother's health situation.

“Life is more valuable than a leg,” Robindra quoted Jibon as saying when he was told of the probable amputation.

Prof Dr KH Abdul Awal Rizvi, director of Nitor - popularly known as Pangu Hospital - told The Daily Star on Saturday that Jibon had already undergone two surgeries.

“We are trying to save his leg but we may have to decide to amputate it from his knee during the surgery depending on the situation that arises.”

“It was our dream that Jibon would become an engineer. This incident has not only changed his life but all our family's aspirations too,” said Robindra, whose parents are farmers.

The conditions of Babu Dhan Chakma and Kamonasish Chakma are stable now but they have to go undergo further treatment for a long period, family members said.

Kamonasish, a classmate of Jibon, lost four toes of his left leg and had injuries caused to his hands and legs.. “We are concerned whether he will be able to sit for the coming examinations to be held within a month and a half,” his brother Deba Priyo Chakma said. “The incident has left him with severe trauma.”

Kamonashish was grief stricken when he spoke to this correspondent.

“I did not want to harm any one. I just wanted to work to uphold the human rights of my community and that is why I joined that event,” he said.

“I want a proper investigation and exemplary punishment of those responsible,” the 21-year old said.
Babu Dhan Chakma, general secretary of PCP of BSPI unit, also demanded exemplary punishment of those responsible for the heinous attack and proper implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=236007
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More about the grenade attack could be found from our past post:

http://chtnewsupdate.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/breaking-news-bomb-attack-on-indigenous.html

A minor indigenous girl killed after rape in Naogaon

A minor indigenous girl killed after rape in Naogaon

Photo: Samar Michael Soren

On 19 May 2012 a 7-year old minor indigenous girl named Sagori Oraon was killed after rape by Bengali auto-rickshaw driver (Bhut-bhuti driver) named Nannu Mian (25) s/o Ataur Rahman at Mohammadpur village of Paharpur union under Badalgachi upazila of Naogaon district.

It is learnt that Nannu Mian, a resident of nearby Mohammadpur village, often visits to Shuka Oraon’s house where the victim along with her parents has been staying for a month. Thus a good relationship was built between Nannu Mian and Shula Oraon’s family. By taking the advantage of good relation, Nannu Mian himself introduced with Sagori Oraon.

On 19 May 2012 Nannu Mian took Sagori Oraon in the name of visiting his aunt’s house at Mohammadpur village. Then, on the way to her aunt’s house, Nannu Mian raped and killed the girl. Following day in the morning the villagers of the Mohammadpur village discovered the dead body of Sagori Oraon at banana garden. It is suspected that after killing Nannu Mian left dead body of Sagori Oraon at this banana garden at night.

Later the police of Bodolgachi police station rushed to the banana garden and recovered the dead body and sent for post mortem. It is learnt that genital organ of the victim was severely injured.

On 20 May 2012 at around 5.00 pm when the dead body was taken to the Bishpur village, a heart breaking scenario was appeared in the spot. The parents and elder brother of victim burst out crying at that time. Relating to this incident police filed a case. Mean while police arrested the parents and a cousin of Nannu Mian. Finally, on 23 May 2012 at around 5.00 pm police arrested the perpetrator Nannu Mian.

Click on the following link to read about the incident published on Bangladeshi English daily:

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=235367

 Just 10 days ago, before this incident, another 11 years old indigenous Jumma girl was raped and killed by another Bengali settler in CHT: http://chtnewsupdate.blogspot.com/2012/05/minor-indigenous-jumma-girl-allegedly.html

Violence against indigenous women in Bangladesh continues unabated.  The issue was addressed at the 11th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum Indigenous Issues: http://chtnewsupdate.blogspot.com/2012/05/strong-trend-of-violation-of-indigenous.html

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It is also mentionable that recently attack on indigenous villagers living in northwest region of the country has increased. For instances-

On 4 May 2012 four indigenous laborers were killed and 10 more, including woman, seriously injured at Chakgopal field in Kashpur union of Manda upazila in Noagaon district in a clash over land dispute. Link: http://chtnewsupdate.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-indigenous-laborers-killed-at-manda.html

On 16 March 2012 a land grabber named Rois Uddin and his son Rabiul Islam of Dumuriya village under Godagari upazila with the help of police led by SI Mahbubur Rahman from Premtali police outpost under Godagari police station tried to occupy 13 bighas of homestead of Jadu Roy Bhuiyan of Shiyala village of Matikata union under Godagari upazila.

On 13 February 2012 and 26 February 2012 land grabber Kamal Rabbi and his gang made attack on the house of Rameshwar Baske at Saguna Jiban Para of Pakri union under Godagari upazila in Rajshahi district. Again, on 28 February 2012 Kamal Rabbi and his gang set fire on Jamin Hasda’s house of same village.

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courtesy:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)
Shalma Garden, House # 23/25, Road # 4, Block # B, PC Culture Housing, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, Telephone: +880-2-8190801

Statement submitted to the special rapporteur on Indigenous Issues by UPDF representative at the UNPFII

Statement submitted  to the special rapporteur on Indigenous Issues by UPDF representative at the UNPFII

To the special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

New York, USA

16 May 2012

 

 Issue: Human Rights Situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

 

 

We, on behalf of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), would like to draw  kind attention of Special Raporteur on the Rights of indigenous people to the human rights situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.

 

Political repression

In December 1997, an accord was signed to bring peace in the CHT. But in the last over 14 years it has failed to bring peace and improve the human rights situation. Soon after the signing of the accord, repression on the so-called ‘anti-accord elements’ [meaning members of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) and its front organizations, namely, Hill Students’ Council, Hill Women’s Federation and Democratic Youth Forum] began. In a report entitled “Life Is Not Ours: Land and Human Rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh: Update 4” published in 2000, the Chittagong Hill Tracts International Commission stated:

 

Since the signing of the peace agreement, a total of more than 120 Jumma activists have been arrested, many on old (mostly fabricated) charges. Apparently, the provision in the Peace Accord for an amnesty for all JSS cadres does not apply to these activists. Immediately following the surrender of the JSS and Shanti Bahini, in the months of February and March 1998 alone, more than 30 leaders and activists of the HPC and HSC were arrested. On 17 February 1998, one week after the surrender ceremony, the police raided a hostel room at Dhaka University, which was also being used as an office for the HPC, HSC and HWF. The Police entered without a warrant, claiming they were looking for illegal arms although they found nothing incriminating.

 

Since then, the situation has deteriorated even further. Repression on the UPDF and its front organizations have become commonplace. Since the signing of the accord at least 240 members and supporters of the UPDF have been killed by the Bangladesh Military personnel and armed groups patronized by them. Its peaceful rallies and demonstrations are regularly attacked while its members and supporters, including members of the Hill Women’s Federation, are arrested, tortured and jailed. On the other hand, four of its offices have been forced to shut down without due process of law.

 

Most recent incidents of repression:

-11^th May 2012: Mr. Choton Kanti Tangchangya(40), UPDF leader of Bandarban district unit, unsuccessful candidate of last general election, and his follower Mr. Jolomoni Tangchangya were arrested by police on a fabricated charge.

-14^th May 2012: Bikash Tangchangya (40), a sympathizer of UPDF at Rajastali in Rangamati district was allegedly attacked and injured.

 

Rape and Large scale attacks

In addition to political repression, there have been at least 11 large scale attacks on Jumma habitations which were carried out by members of Bangladesh Army and illegal Bengali settlers in order to grab land, while rapes of Jumma women and minor girls have become a serious problem. Between January and May 10 this year, at least six Jumma girls and women were raped; one case of attempted rape was reported while another girl in her teens was abducted. In the most recent incident, an 11-year old Jumma girl, Sujata Chakma, was murdered after rape in Langudu on 9 May 2012.

 

Land grabbing

While land grabbing by illegal Bengali settlers is a perennial problem, it took a serious turn during the rule of emergency from 2007 – 2008. Hundreds of acres of land belonging to Jumma people were captured. On many occasions land grabbing or attempt at land grabbing were accompanied by communal attacks on Jumma villages, resulting in deaths and destruction of houses and other properties.

On May 10 the settlers set fire to a house belonging to Kamal Singh Tripura in Paiong Para village under Ugudochari (Ultachari) Union in Panchari Upazila of Khagrachari district .  Kamal Singh had built the house on his land a few days ago.

Two settlers namely Md. Manik and Md. Fazlul who set file have been trying to capture his land for a long time.

 Military control

Despite the CHT accord which ended the armed insurrection led by the now-defunct Shanti Bahini guerrillas, the CHT continues to remain under military occupation. The government has replaced “Operation Dabanol” with “Operation Ottoron” to impose virtual military rule in the CHT. The overwhelming presence of the military, together with the illegal Bengali settlers, poses a serious threat to the existence of the Jumma people.

 

Denial of the right to identity

On 30 June 2011, the Bangladesh national parliament passed the fifteenth amendment to the constitution which, inter alia, provides that “The people of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangalees as a nation and the citizens of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangladeshis”. [Article 6(2)]

 

The imposition of Bengali nationality on the indigenous Jumma people and other non-Bengali national minorities has serious implications. While it is a violation of fundamental human rights, it reflects the policy of the Bangladesh state to ethnic-cleanse the indigenous peoples of the country. Bangladesh continues to deny the existence of indigenous people in the country.

 

 

There were many on ground investigation conducted by CHT commission and other international agencies into the violation of human rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts(CHT).  But, most investigation reports could not properly focus on the political repression on the UPDF supporters-activists and other human rights defenders. More inquiry into the CHT with a follow up measure is urgent.

Sincerely,

 

Ronel Chakma

Spokesperson (South Korea)

United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF)

 

 

Parish Chakma

Representative of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) in New York, USA

Statement to the Special Rapporteur from UPDF

Breaking News: Bomb attack on Indigenous Students in Rangamati

Breaking News: Bomb attack on Indigenous Students in Rangamati 

injured student at the hospital. photo: Kiron Chakma

More than 15 activists of Pahari Chatra Parishad (PCP), including a girl, were severely injured in a bloody bomb attack in Rangamati Hill Districts today (Sunday), at around 4 pm local time.

blood at the scene. Photo: Bidhayak Chakma

The incident happened infront of a Petrol Station, located at Kallayanpur of Rangamati Town.

It has been learnt that, today was the 23rd council of PCP, student wing of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS). Thousand of indigenous Jumma students from different parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) came to Rangamati to attend the council.

Photo: Bidhayak Chakma

After the council was over,  the students were board on different buses and were waiting to leave Rangamati town. At around 4 pm, some miscreants from a CNG-run auto-rickshaw threw grenades at one of the buses, which was about to leave for Kaptai (a sub-district of Rangamati). More than  15 students have been admitted to Rangamati Hospital. 6 severely injured students have been transferred to Chittagong Medical Hospital for better treatment.

Photo:Bidhayak Chakma

Strong trend of violation of indigenous peoples' rights, including violence against indigenous women in Bangladesh continues, speaker says at UNPFII

Strong trend of violation of indigenous peoples' rights, including violence against indigenous women in Bangladesh continues, speaker says at UNPFII

 The following part has been extracted from UN news:

ANMOY CHAKMA, speaking on behalf of Kapaeeng Foundation, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Asian Indigenous Women’s Network, United Confederation of Taino People, and Jumchab Metta Foundation, said that even as the Permanent Forum met to discuss combating violence against women, in Bangladesh, women were passing their days in fear of having grave violence being perpetrated against them.  Indeed, many of those women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts were preyed upon by military personnel, even though Bangladesh was a party to major international human rights treaties.  Rapes and other violence against indigenous women in Bangladesh were pervasive due to impunity.  There was not a single case where women preyed upon received justice.  He called upon the Government of Bangladesh to comprehensively address the issue and to carry out all elements of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord.

courtesy: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/hr5091.doc.htm

Following is the full statement of Mr. Anmoy Kiron Chakma:

Bangladesh: Joint Statement On Combating Violence Against Indigenous Women And Girls - 11th Session Of UNPFII

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Eleventh Session

7-18 May 2012, UN HQ, New York

Agenda Item 3: Report on the expert group meeting: combating violence against indigenous women and girls, article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Study on the extent of violence against indigenous women and girls in terms of article 22 (2) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Joint Statement by:

Anmoy Kiron Chakma

Kapaeeng Foundation, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, United Confederation Of Taino Peoples, Asia Indigenous Women’s Network, Jaringan Orang Asal Se Malaysia (JOAS), Jumchab Metta Foundation

Thank you Mr. Chair,

My congratulations to the chair and newly appointed members of the Bureau.

Today when we are gathered here to discuss violence against indigenous women, my indigenous sisters in Bangladesh are passing their days in fear of rape and other forms of violence against them. As my indigenous sister Ellen from Asia Caucus mentioned yesterday, even on last Wednesday, we received the news of an eleven year old indigenous Jumma girl, who was allegedly raped, and then murdered, by a non indigenous Bengali settler, Ibrahim in Longudu subdistrict of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region (May 9th 2012), who has apparently been arrested. It is further alleged that he was earlier charged with the rape of another Jumma girl and was released on bail. [1] This clearly tells a story of impunity and absence of deterrence measures.

Though Bangladesh is a party to several international human rights treaties, including CEDAW, CERD, ICC Rome Statute, ILO Convention 107 and the two international human rights covenants, the strong trend of violation of indigenous peoples' rights, including violence against indigenous women in Bangladesh continues. This includes rape, murder, sexual assault, trafficking and abduction by non-indigenous Bengali settlers. The major concern is that very few of these violations are impartially and independently enquired into. Thus the perpetrators remain at large and un-punished; such example is the last rape case that happened last Wednesday. This culture of impunity gives the impression that such violations against indigenous women and children are normal and acceptable to state and society.

Violence against indigenous women in Bangladesh has been going on for decades, including during the internal conflict from the 1970s to the 1990s. Here are some statistics. The international CHT Commission, in its groundbreaking report of 1991, mentioned that the military systematically used rape as a weapon against women in CHT. [2] According to the Hill Women’s Federation, “security forces were responsible for over 94% of all the alleged rape cases in CHT between 1991 and 1993. Out of all these allegations of rape, over 40% of the victims were children”. [3]

Before the CHT Peace Accord was signed in 1997, from 1971 to 1994, approximately 2,500 indigenous women were allegedly raped by the military, and by non-indigenous Bengali settlers, as estimated by Ume Mong, an indigenous woman leader. [4]

These violations continue in the period after the signing of the CHT Accord. According to statistics provided by Jummanet, over 57% of the rape victims in CHT between 2003 and 2006 were children in their teens or below. According to a report from Kapaeeng Foundation (a human rights organization of indigenous peoples of Bangladesh), non-indigenous Bengali settlers carried out violence against 66 indigenous women, including a three and a half year old child, [5] between 2007 and February 2012, out of which six were murdered after rape. These statistics show how insecure indigenous women of CHT are today.

Despite the provisions of section 376 of the Bangladesh Penal Code, which mentions high punishment for the rapist, there is not a single case where the indigenous women were provided with justice, except for court martial of some military personnel more than ten years ago.

I call upon the Government of Bangladesh to punish the perpetrators by following its own Constitution, to stop all kind of violence and racial discrimination against indigenous women immediately, and to follow the UN Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which has provisions for security and protection of indigenous women.

I urge the Forum and member states of the UN to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to implement the recommendations made by the Forum on the implementation of the CHT Accord, following a study by Mr. Lars-Anders Baer in the last session of the Forum. (E/C.19/2011/6)

I also call upon all my fellow indigenous brothers and sisters to lend their hands to prevent all forms of violence against our indigenous women and children not only in Bangladesh, but also around the world.

Thank you Mr. Chair.

[1] Rape, murder of indigenous girl sparks protest Alleged criminal arrested http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=233621

[2] Life is not Ours", 95

[3] ‘Autonomy for Peace in the CHT’, Bangladesh, Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Women’s Federation, Bangladesh, 30 August – 10 September, 1995, UN World Conference on Women, NGO Forum on Women, Beijing. According to ICRC women under 18 are regarded as children.

[4] Ume Mong, “Bangladesher Adibasi narider nirapatta: Parbattya Chattagramer adibasi pahari nari (Security of Indigenous Women in Bangladesh: Hill Women of the Chittagong Hill Tracts)”, Bangladeshe adivasi narir nirapatta (Security of Indigenous Women in Bangladesh), (Dhaka: Forum on Women in Security and International Affairs, 2000).

[5] “Horrific”, The Daily Star, 10 March 2009. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=79164

UNPF11 Statement

Following is the news from Bangladeshi daily "The Daily Star" on 4 indigenous laborers, who were killed at Manda in Noagaon

Case panics Naogaon Adivasi clash victims

Bulbul Ahmed, Naogaon and Anwar Ali, Rajshahi

Having lost their bread-earners in the May 4 clash, families of four Adivasi labourers in Naogaon are passing their life in panic, as police recorded a case filed by the alleged killers against a number of unnamed Adivasi men.

The families expressed their fears on Friday when a group of social activists, including lawyers, journalists, and development activists led by columnist Syed Abul Maksud from Dhaka, visited them at Pungi Niboda village in Niamatpur.

Kristina Hembrom, wife of Ilias Mardi, one of the four murdered, alleged that police recorded a case of the killers, accusing 10-12 unnamed Adivasi people to counter their murder case.

“We are worried and fearing arrest any time for the case”, she said, in tears. Kristina said she was also anxious about her future with her two sons.

Ilias Mardi, Madan Hembrom, Moharam Marang and Koki Tudu were killed in a clash between the supporters of two rivalling land owners at Chalk Gopal village in Manda upazila, where they went to work after being hired by Abdul Alim, one of the owners.

Abdul Alim has been in feud with one Anwar Hossain over eight bighas of land.

Kristina said Alim hired five Adivasi labourers for harvesting paddy for a rate of Tk 2,500 per bigha a day before the clash. “Alim's offer was lucrative as labourers usually work at Tk 200 per day. Alim said he was having a shortage of labourers”.

The widows said they were not aware that their husbands had been hired.

“I felt like a bolt out of the blue when I heard of the murder", said Maina Hembrom, wife of Madan Hembrom. "And now police are also acting against us”.

The only surviving Adivasi man in the incident, Chandi Kisku, was now fleeing home following the case, they said.

Syed Abul Maksud told the families that they would pressure the government for ensuring justice.

Noted jurist Barrister Rafiq-ul Huq, who was also in the team of visitors, said recording a case against fellow men of the victims was like murdering the victims once more.

Asked why police took the case against the Adivasi men, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Naogaon YM Belalur Rahman said it was because Anwar Hossain claimed that Abdul Alim forcibly wanted to harvest crops of the land, of which he was the actual owner.

He said he would ask police not to harass or arrest the Adivasi men.

The visitors' team also included journalist Saleem Samad, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum organising secretary Saktipada Tripura, Dhaka University teacher Robaet Ferdous, and Kapaeeng Foundation's Dipayan Khisa.

11th session of the UNPFII Raja Devasish Roy suggests UNPFII to organize seminars, workshops and other meetings on the different aspects of shifting cultivation

Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and Chakma circle chief Raja Devasish Roy suggested the UNPFII to organize seminars, workshops and other meetings on the different aspects of shifting cultivation related to the socio-cultural identity and integrity of indigenous peoples, including at its 12th session.

Mr. Roy also urged the UN Member States to (a) expressly acknowledge the rights of shifting cultivators to their lands; (b) recognize this mode of cultivation as a traditional occupation that requires protection; (c) delineate the lands concerned; (d) discontinue sedentarization programmes that coerce shifting cultivators to forsake this mode of cultivation without their free, prior and informed consent.

Mr. Roy made this statement while he was presenting his study report on “shifting cultivation and the socio-cultural integrity of indigenous peoples” on 14 May 2012 at 11th session of the UNPFII which is taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York.

On 14 May 2012 on behalf of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Ms. Rukka Sombolinggi, in its statement on agenda item 6 “discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples to food and food sovereignty”, said that in Bangladesh, huge tracts of lands, which are used for traditional shifting cultivation and for sustainable use of forest resources, were leased out to non-indigenous outsiders in for rubber plantation and other commercial purposes and acquired for reserved forest, establishment for military installation and so-called eco-parks in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and land and homesteads for mining and national park in plain land. This generated food insecurity among indigenous peoples.

On 15 May 2012 on behalf of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Mr. Windel Bolinget, in its statement on agenda item 4 Human Rights, called upon Asian States to demilitarize indigenous territories and to take appropriate steps to review and reverse their counter-insurgency policies and strategies that are detrimental to indigenous peoples and violative of international humanitarian law. He also called upon Asian States for the review of their oppressive and militarist laws and policies to be consistent with UNDRIP and seriously implement their international human rights obligations and push for State recognition of indigenous peoples to ensure full protection of their human rights, especially in Asian countries.

Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus also demanded to withdraw the Oplan Bayanihan as the government’s counter-insurgency strategy in Philippines; Operation Uttoran in Bangladesh; Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 in India. Asia Caucus stated that in Bangladesh, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord stipulates to demilitarize the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region. Instead of implementing the CHT Accord, de facto military rule named “Operation Dabanal” (Operation Wild-fire) was imposed in the CHT during the period of insurgency and replaced with “Operation Uttoran (Operation Upliftment) in 2001. Military interference with and dominance over the civil administration, law and order, construction and repairing of roads, tribal affairs, forest resources etc. are still continuing on one hand, and on the other, they continue to actively support the outsider Bengali settlers in expanding and establishing newer cluster vil! lages in the CHT.

It is mentionable that the 11th session of the UNPFII is taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York which started on 7 May 2012 and will end on 18 May 2012.

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courtesy:
Kapaeeng Foundation
(A Human Rights Organization for Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh)