Sep 19, 2003

An Account of Communal Attack in Mahalchari upon the indigenous Jumma people by the Bengali settlers


A report on the atrocious attack by the Bengali settlers with the full backing of the local Army personnel on the Indigenous Jumma villages of Mahalchari Upazila under Khagrachari district in the CHT Region

On 26 August 2003, Bengali settlers (Thousands of Bengali Muslim brought in Chittagong Hill Tracts from the plains by successive Governments mainly to counter the indigenous Jumma peoples struggle for self-rule) launched a horrendous communal attack on the indigenous Jumma people of Mahalchari Upazila under Khagrachari Hill District of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Region. As a result, more than 350 indigenous Jumma households of 14 villages under five Moujas have been looted and burnt to ashes. Moreover, more than 100 Jumma houses including four Buddhist temples, one UNICEF run primary school, a good number of shops and statues of Lord Buddha have been destroyed, ransacked and looted. Valuables worth over Taka 30 millions have been destroyed. Two Jumma people including one eight-month-old child have been murdered. Ten Jumma women have been raped by the Bengali settlers. Furthermore, in this incident more than fifty innocents Jumma people have been injured, of them nine are serious. Six Bengali settlers also sustained injuries in the incident.

According to the report of victims and local Jumma people- on 24 August 2003, the armed UPDF (United Peoples Democratic Front) terrorist kidnapped a Bengali businessman named Rupan Mohajan (30) s/o Bijoy Mohajan of Mahalchari Bazar area and demanded a ransom of Taka 500,000 (five hundred thousand). On 25 August a group of Bengali settlers led by Ratan member and Usuf member of Mahalchari Union Council, made a contact and held a negotiation meeting with the UPDF to release Rupan Mohajan. As the negotiation failed to release Rupan Mohajan, the Bengali settlers whipped up communal tension and in the afternoon the Bengali settlers barricaded the Mahalchari-Khagrachari road protesting the kidnapping. The Bengali settlers under the banner of Bangalee Samanway Parishad held a gathering at Mahalchari bazar where provocative, communal and incendiary speech was delivered by the Bengali settlers to attack the Jumma villages. In that gathering, they also made a threatening declaration that the administration, the military, the local police station and all are on their side, so they had nothing to be scared. They also declared that if Rupan Mohajan was not released the next day at 7:00 a.m. they should stage a programme of bonfire against the Jumma people.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sui Nue Prue Chowdhury (Marma), the Chairman of Sindukchari Union Parishad (UP) who came to Mahalchari Bazar on his motor bike to inquire about the kidnapping and road blockade, had been confined for the whole night within the shop of one Swapan Dokandar and severely tortured by a group of frenzied Bengali settlers. The Bengali settlers also broke his motor bike. He was freed the next morning. On the contrary, provocative, communal and incendiary speeches by the Bengali settlers at their gathering made the Indigenous Jumma people of Mahalchari proper areas including Babu Para very panicky. In the evening, a Bengali settler advised some Jumma acquaintances to be on their alert for possible attacks by the Bengali settlers. At that time, a passing Army petrol party too gave out a threatening message to them. The villagers passed that night amid anxiety.

Modus Operandi of the Atrocity

The Bengali settlers again began their same provocative, communal and incendiary speech against the Indigenous Jumma people since the morning of the next day 26 August 2003. The clock struck 8:00 a.m. The Jumma people hardly anticipated that hell would break loose upon them in the form of such a violent communal riot. They had a misconception that after all the administration and law enforcing agencies were there to hold the wild and violent Bengali settlers in check in the long run.

It was a market day at Mahalchari bazar. The Indigenous Jumma people from different villages came to the bazar were prevented by the Bengali settlers from entering the bazar. That was why they had to sit down on a nearby road of Babu Para for selling their vegetable and goods. They, again, were forbidden to sell their goods by the Bengali settlers and there was an exchange of hot words between them. Thereafter, the Bengali settlers chanted provocative slogans and brought out a violent and confrontational demonstration at around 9:00 a.m. The Bengali settlers began to beat up the Jumma sellers severely and they went on a rampage through the shops of the Jumma people indiscriminately. Then the Bengali settlers in a form of violent demonstrating mob launched an attack on Babu Para, a predominantly Indigenous Jumma locality. At this time, some UPDF gunmen holed up in front of Babu Para opened fire on the attackers and four Bengali settlers sustained injuries.

Thereupon the demonstrators shouted for other Bengali settlers to join them in the brutal attack against the Indigenous Jumma people and with an ill motive spread a rumour that the Indigenous Jumma people were setting fire to Bengali settlers houses and killing the Bengali settlers. This rumour made the Bengali settlers more and more violent and they came running in droves along with Army personnel to join the brutal attack. At that time, Mr. Binode Bihari Khisha was sitting at his shop close to the sluice gate area of Mahalchari from where he was dragged out in the open. The Army personnel struck him with the butt of their gun and the Bengali settlers hit him with lethal stick. Practically he was beaten to death on the spot.

Simultaneously, hundreds of Bengali settler under the protection of Army personnel equipped with daos (big knife), swords, spears and sticks pounced upon the Jumma villages, took away valuables and finally set fire to Jumma houses. They also snatched away jewelleries from the person of Jumma women. First the Bengali settlers attacked Babu Para and Sawmill Para. Then, one after another, the Bengali settlers with direct participation of military carried out their attack on at least 12 Jumma villages under five Mouzas. In this incident, more than 350 houses were burnt down and valuables belonging to more than 100 houses were looted and destroyed.

It is worth mentioning that the role of the Army, Police and Civil Administration while this kind of atrocity such as arson, rape, killing and wanton destruction was going on was highly condemnable. The Army personnel belonging to 21 EBR invariably threatened every Jumma to shoot whoever tried to resist the Bengali settlers attack. The Army personnel supplied petrol and kerosene to the Bengali settlers to facilitate the arson. In certain cases, the Army personnel themselves firstly kicked, boxed and tortured the Indigenous Jumma people then they handed over them to the Bengali settlers for their final physical abuse. A group of Army personnel of 21 EBR of Mahalchari army zone together with the Bengali settlers of Mahalchari bazar, Sylhet Para, T&T and Hospital area attacked the villages namely Pahartali, Bhuatek, Durpajjyanal, Kerenganal, Hemanta Para, Thali Para, Rameshu Karbari Para and Chongrachari Mukh. In all other villages the attack, arson, rape and looting took place under the very nose of the Army personnel. It was learnt that one Bengali named Tapas Chowdhury, owner of a Petrol Pump (Gas station) supplied petrol and kerosene in a lavish style to the Bengali settlers for setting fire to the Jumma houses.

In the afternoon of the day of occurrence, Mr. Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, Member of Parliament and an avowed Bengali settlers leader, Mr. Humayan Kabir Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district and Mr. Motiur Rahman Sheikh, Superintendent of Police of Khagrachari district went to the spot for inspection. It is very surprising that there was no attack by the Bengali settlers on the villages of Lemu Chari and Noa Para area till their arrival at Mahalchari Upazila Headquarter and moreover during their very presence at Mahalchari Upazila Headquarter hundreds of Bengali settlers of Chongrachari Mukh and Pakujyachari area were continuing their attack on two other villages, such as Lemuchari and Nua Para. A lot of victims confided that Mr. Abdul Wadood Bhuiyan, on his way to Mahalchari held a discussion with the Bengali settlers at Maischari bazar during which he secretly instructed them to launch the attack on the said villages. The victims also confided that the Bengali settlers with the participation of Army personnel attacked the villages namely Kerengyanal, Durpujyanal etc. On that day the Bengali settlers along with Army personnel went to the said villages by engine boats and carried out series of attacks. Right after the Army reached the village, they opened covering gunfire to scare the villagers away and then the Bengali settlers started looting all the valuables and burned the houses.

Firstly, the Army personnel opened covering gunfire and thereafter the Bengali settlers launched attack, this is the Modus Operandi. Ms. Sonali Chakma one of the victims told. Dr. Pratul Chandra Khisha, a homeopath physician of the village Babu Para told that they had taken shelter at Kengelchari Buddhist temple where the military surrounded them as terrorists and at first the Army personnel tracked down the Jumma people and then the Bengali settlers attacked them with sharp daos, swords, spears and sticks. Minati Khisha w/o Nilachan Khisha of Kerengyanal village stated that the women of her village while fleeing by a boat were surrounded and beaten by the Army personnel. Moreover, Kabita Chakma, Sabita Chakma, Pintu Chakma Koel Chakma and some other village folks were forcibly thrown into the lake by them.

Ms. Jena Chakam, d/o Priyadarshi Chakma of village Sawmill Para, a student of Graduation course told that her old and infirm grand parent could not flee away. She feared them to have been killed and she had seen herself their home was set on fire by the Bengali settlers. Ninety-three years old Jayanta Chakma of village Sawmill Para stated that this attack was nothing but the continuation of land grabbing spree of the Bengali settlers and the Government has always been assisting the Bengali settlers. This incident was fully supported by the military, his wife Kanakka Lata Chakma said. Nirupa Khisha w/o Pratul Chandra Khisha said, While going to the temple I have seen the Bengali settlers burning houses after they had taken away all the valuables. She also told that Polashi Khisha w/o Sajib Khisha had given birth to premature twin while fleeing away in panic.

Condemnation and Reaction

Even after the CHT Accord the Jumma people and the CHT peoples are stunned at the brutality and magnitude of the atrocity. Many organizations including Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), Chittagong Hill Tracts Jumma Refugee Welfare Association, Parbatya Chattagram Mohila Samiti, Hill Womens Federation (HWF), Hill Students Council (PCP) have immediately protested and condemned this heinous and barbaric attack. The PCJSS declared that this incident was perpetrated to keep the political instability going on, to grab the Jumma peoples land and to destroy communal harmony. The PCJSS also demanded of the Government to resist the terrorist activities of and to ban the UPDF, compensation to the victims and arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators of the crime.

The PCP, the HWF and the PCJSS brought out a protest rally in Khagrachari, Rangamati, Bandarban and Chittagong against unprovoked and unilateral atrocity on the Indigenous Jumma people. The PCJSS, on behalf of the mass people of Khagrachari district submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 1 September 2003 with the following demands:

To conduct judicial inquiry into the communal attack To take necessary, speedy and statutory action against the perpetrators of crime. To provide full security with a compensation of at least Taka 100,000 (One hundred thousand) to each of the affected family. To supply free ration for six months to each of the affected family and immediate supply of books to the affected students. To take necessary steps to stop repetition of this kind of incident in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

On that day, the Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha (Hill Tracts Buddhist Monk Association) organized a silent procession at Khagrachari sadar protesting against the communal attack and sacrilege. They submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district demanding judicial inquiry, re-construction of destroyed Buddhist temples, ensuring of security of life and property, exemplary punishment of culprits and compensation for affected villagers etc.

It is mentionable that the UPDF also in protest called a road blockade from 30 August to 1 September 2003 in Khagrachari district. But almost all the people in Khagrachari strongly condemned the imprudent activities of the UPDF. Particularly series of abduction and terrorist activities by the UPDF are providing a golden opportunity for the Bengali settlers as well as the Army personnel to swoop upon the innocent Indigenous Jumma people of the CHT. Moreover, the road blockade declared by the UPDF had created a problem in sending relief materials to the affected villagers in time and it had aggravated the situation further.

Arrest and cases by the Military, Police and Civil Administration

Soon after the atrocity on the Jumma people, putting all blames on the Indigenous Jumma people the Army arrested seven Jumma youths including Ronald Chakma (17) and Suman Marma (22) who were seriously injured by the Bengali settlers. Recently under tremendous pressure from the public, the Army and the Police had to arrest 47 (forty-seven) Bengali settlers. But the victims dismissed it as an eye wash to assuage the wrath of the Indigenous Jumma people since the communal attack was made with the active participation of the Army and with the tacit support of the police the Bengali settlers committed the crime of arson and looting unchecked in one after another villages. Experienced hands on the subject believed that it was mainly a drama staged to divert the attention of the countrymen.

On the contrary, after having committed atrocities with daos, swords, spears and sticks on the Jumma people unilaterally the Bengali settlers lodged a criminal case with Mahalchari Police Station against the Indigenous Jumma people the next day on 27 August. One Md. Abul Kasem s/o Ashraf Mian against 17 innocent Jumma people has filed this false case in connection with gun firing and concealing the dead body of Bengali settlers. On the other, soon after the kidnapping of Rupan Mohajan, his father Bijoy Krishna Mohajan lodged a case against the 15 Jumma with Mahalchari police station on 26 August 2003.

It is mentionable here that in connection with Babu Para incident, Mr. Hafizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mahalchari Police station on 27 August 2003 filed a case against 4/5 thousand unnamed persons and in connection with Lemuchari incident he again on 28 August 2003 filed a criminal case against some two thousand unnamed persons. Since no name was mentioned clearly in the cases whether the accused persons were Bengali settlers or Jumma people, the affected Jumma villagers had every reason to fear that the police might harass them only at an opportune moment in connection with these cases instead of the Bengali settlers.

In addition to these cases, on the 1 September 2003 Kishalay Chakma s/o Kali Ratan Chakma of Lemuchari village filed a case against 44 Bengali settlers to the Khagrachari Cognisance Taking Magistrate Court in connection with the communal atrocities including arson, looting, sacrilege and destruction of property. But, none of the accused had been arrested so far.

On 1 September last a special law and order meeting was arranged by the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari Hill District. Surprisingly, a representative of the UPDF which was responsible for the abduction of the very Rupan Mohajan was invited to that meeting. There was a strong reaction to the invitation of the representative of the UPDF and as such the PCJSS and the CHTRC representative protested and boycotted that meeting. In that meeting an attempt was also made to form a Peace Committee consisting of Indigenous Jumma and Bengalis. But it was a failure because of lack of decision. However, another Law and Order Monitoring Committee consisting of 21-member and headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) was formed. It is further surprising that Mr. Raktatpal Tripura, Councillor, CHT Regional Council, was made a member in that committee without his knowledge and consent. That committee was formed mainly to divert and cover up the communal atrocities by the Bengali settlers upon the Indigenous Jumma people and to exterminate the Jumma people from their ancestral hearth and home.

Background of the Incident

It is a fact that on 24 August 2003 an armed band of the UPDF abducted Rupan Mohajan, a Bengali trader of Mahalchari Bazar, from the Singinala Football field. Because of a long nexus and good understanding between a quarter of the Army and the UPDF, the Army and the Civil Administration took no step either for the immediate release of Rupan Mohajan or for controlling the gradually worsening law and order situation- instead they instigated the Bengali settlers to launch a communal attack on the Indigenous Jumma people. So it is crystal clear that the known vested interest within the Government had allowed these communal atrocities against the Indigenous Jumma people to divert the attention so that the CHT Accord 1997 would not be implemented at all in future.

It is also mentionable that since the signing of the Accord in 1997 a vested interest within the government has been aiding and abetting the Bengali settlers for the communal attack upon the Indigenous Jumma people to serve their interest. Furthermore, a quarter of the military authority has been assisting, abetting and aiding the UPDF to carry out its terrorist activities such as extortion, kidnapping, killing etc. unchecked instead of taking necessary actions against them so as to make the CHT law and order situation always instable, to justify a military presence in the CHT and to fish in the troubled water. The core causes of this atrocity according to the observers and the experienced one are the following:

To make the Indigenous Jumma people crippled economically, uproot them by means of continuous violence from their ancestral land and finally grab the Indigenous Jumma people land. The long-standing grievance and dissatisfaction among the local businessmen with regard to the UPDFs activities of extortion, kidnapping, killing etc at Mahalchari. To take political advantage of this kidnapping of Rupan Mohajan by some vested interest within the government including present MP Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan. To bring instability to block the total implementation of the CHT Accord including the developmental programme initiated by the international donor community.

Once again it is proved that lasting peace and democratic governance can never be achieved in the CHT until and unless the military are withdrawn to their barracks and the Bengali settlers are withdrawn from the CHT to their original home district (plains of Bangladesh). On numerous occasions it has already been seen that any trifling incident between a Jumma and a Bengali settler is made to turn into an unbridled violent and major communal flare up by the Army personnel and the Bengali settlers. Therefore, proper implementation of the CHT Accord including withdrawal of the Army rule in the CHT in the name of Operation Uttaran, withdrawal of all temporary camps of armed forces according to the Accord and rehabilitation of the Bengali settlers in their original home districts (plains of Bangladesh) outside the CHT is a must for the permanent solution to the CHT Issues and lasting peace in the region.

Relief and Rehabilitation for the affected people

All the victims of this atrocity are the Indigenous Jumma people who have been leading a sub-human existence under the open sky. The situation has further deteriorated because of prevalence of diarrhoea, malaria and so on. The students are facing an uncertain future because of loss of books and other educational materials. Many of the victims had sought refuge in the houses of their kith and kin at Rangamati and Khagrachari district and nearby villages. The remaining are leading a desperate existence in the neighbourhood of open jungles and bushes.

Some organisations, namely, CHT Regional Council, PCJSS, HTNF (Hill Tracts NGO Forum), CHT Returnee Jumma Refugees' Welfare Association, Marma Unnayan Sangsad, Tripura Kalyan Sangsad, Marma Oikya Sangathan, Parbatya Bhikku Sangha, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society etc. and local administration have provided some relief materials, such as, food grain, utensils, clothes, medicine etc. to the affected families. It is learnt that Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district received Taka 400,000 and 120 matrix tones of food grain from national government and distributed it to the affected families. But these relief programme were quite inadequate compared to their needs.

It has been learnt that the office of the Prime Minister recently granted a cash grant of Taka 3 millions for the rehabilitation of the affected families. The grant would be channelled through the military authority. But the CHT Affairs Ministry proposed to involve the CHT Regional Council and concerned Hill District Councils for the purpose. Because CHT Regional Council and concerned Hill District Councils are the proper authorities respectively to co-ordinate and implement any kind of relief programme according to the Acts of the Councils. But the proposal of CHT Affairs Ministry was not accepted. The affected families decided not to accept the role of the military in relief and rehabilitation programmes in protest against their active participation in those communal atrocities.

Appeal to the Humanitarian Community

The PCJSS appeals to the national and international humanitarian community to write to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and send a copy thereof to the Home Minister of Bangladesh and the Deputy Minister for the CHT Affairs, Bangladesh asking for the following redress:

To conduct judicial inquiry into this communal attack; To take speedy and statutory action against the perpetrators of crime; To provide full security and proper rehabilitation for the affected families; To take necessary steps to stop repetition of this kind of incident in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; To rehabilitate the Bengali settlers outside CHT honourably; To remove anti-accord element, extreme communalist and one of the culprits of the Mahalchari attack Mr. Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan from the post of the Chairman of the CHT Development Board. To withdraw military rule 'Operation Uttaran' and all temporary camps of army, Ansar, APB and VDP from CHT. To implement the CHT Accord properly 1. Begum Khaleda Zia,

Honorable Prime Minister,
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Office of the Prime Minister

Old Airport Road, Tejgaon

Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Fax: + 880-2-811 3244, 811 3243

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

2. Mr. Altaf Hossain Chowdhury

Honorable Minister

Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Secretariat

Building 4

Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Fax: +880-2-8614788

E-mail:

3. Mr. Mani Swapan Dewan,

Honorable Deputy Minister,

Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs,

Building No. 4, 6th Floor, Bangladesh Secretariat,

Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Tel: + 880-2-861 3214

Fax: + 880-2-956 5300

E-mail: [email protected]

[ Please See Annexure 1-5 ]

This report is circulated by Information and Publicity Department of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) from its central office, Kalyanpur, Rangamati, Rangamati Hill Tracts-4500, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh on 10 September 2003. Telefax: +880-351-61248, E-mail: [email protected]

Annexure- 1

Loss of Property

Burnt and Looted

S.L

No

Name of Villages

Name of Mouzas

House hold burnt

Household Looted

Households

Other Descriptions

1

Babu Para

252 No Thalipara Mouza

79

Marma 39, Chakma 38 Families and 2 Shops

 

2

Shawmil Para

252 No Thalipara Mouza

38

   

3

Madyam Pahartali Para

252 No Thalipara Mouza

37

 

18

4

Kerengya Nal

253 No Kerengya Nal Mouza

96

 

 7

5

Basanta Boidyo Para

6

Durpojjya Nal

254 No Durpojjya Nal Mouza

4

 

40

7

Ramesu Karbari Para

252 No Thalipara Mouza

22

Marma 11 and Chakma 11 Families

 

8

Lemuchari

250 No Lemuchari Mouza

70

63 Households, 1 Buddhist Temple, 2 Shops, 1 Club, 1 UNICEF School and 2 Paddy Husking Machine Houses

2 Buddhist Statues Looted and destroyed in 2 Buddhist Temples

9

Nuwa Para

251 No Chungrachari Mouza

12

   

10

Bhua Tek

254 No Durpojjya Nal Mouza

   

36

11

Thali Para

252 No Thalipara Mouza

1

   

12

Chongrachari Mukh

       

13

Hospital and T&T Area

       

14

Hamanta Para

     

 36

 

Total

 

359

 

137


Apart from the furniture, utensils, money and ornaments etc., other valuable materials from above mentioned households, 2 bullocks have been looted from Shanti Bikash Chakma s/o Banabihari Chakma at Nuwa Para under 251 No Chongrachari Mouza; 3 bullocks have been looted from Shukha Moy Chakma s/o Banabihari Chakma and Shuniti Chakma at Lemuchari under 250 No Lemuchari Mouza by the Bengali settlers.


Annexure- 2

Casualties

The Killed

Serial No

Name, Father Name and Address

Description

1

Binod Bihari Khisha (57 Years) Son Of Surendra Lal Khisha Village Babu Para, Mahalchari Sadar

In the morning of the day of occurrence at around 10: 30 a. m. Military personnel dragged Mr. Binod Bihari Khisha out of his shop near Babu Para area and severely beaten him. After that they hand him over to the murderous Bengali settlers who brutally killed him with lethal weapons.

2

Chijikko Chakma (8 Months) daughter of Samiran Chakma Village Paharthali, Mahalchari Sadar

On the day of occurrence, Chijikko Chakma, baby daughter of Samiran Chakma was killed by smashing against a tree by the Bengali settlers.

The raped Women by the Bengali Settlers

1

Shanti Bala Chakma alias Mita (38), wife of Swaswadhar Chakma from Paharthali Village

2

Khuki Chakma (12), Daughter of Swaswadhar Chakma from Paharthali Village

3

Bonita Chakma (15) Daughter of Swaswadhar Chakma from Paharthali Village

4

Amiti Chakma (16), daughter of Sudatta Chakma from Paharthali Village

5

Ghitanjali Chakma (14), Daughter of Sudatta Chakma from Paharthali Village

6

Bina Rani Chakma (20), Daughter of Kalo Baran Chakma from Kerengya Nal Village

7

Kalasona Chakma (35), wife of Batya Chakma from Kerengya Nal Village

8

Maya Laskmi Chakma (22), wife of Nibaran Chakma from Kerengya Nal Village

9

Chikkala Chakma (20), Daughter of Kala Udha Chakma from Kerengya nal Village

10

Badhimila Chakma (30), wife of Bimol Chakma from Kerengya Nal Village


Annexure- 3

Names of the Jumma people who wounded in the attack:

Serial No

Name, Fathers name and Address

Description

1

Nidarshan Khisha Adisan (18), Son of Binod Bihari Khisha, Village Babu Para, Mahalchari Thana

In a bid to protect his father, Binod Bihari Khisha, who was beaten to death by the Army Personnel of 21 EBR of Mahalchari zone and the Bengali settlers, he too sustained serious bayonet injuries on his head and left arms by the Army . Presently, he is being treated at the Chittaong Medical College Hospital.

2

Uggyajay Marma (27), Village Babu Para, Mahalchari Thana

He has been beaten and wounded by the Army personnel.

3

Ronald Chakma (17), Son of Khokan Bikash Chakma Village Babu Para, Mahalchari Thana

He has been wounded by the Army personnel and arrested by the Police in connection with the incident and undergoing treatment at Khagrachari Hospital.

4

Sumon Marma (22), Son of Humayun Marma, Village Babu Para, Mahalchari Thana

He has been wounded by the Army personnel and arrested by the Police in connection with the incident and undergoing treatment at Khagrachari Hospital.

5

Sudatta Chakma (40), Son of Jayanta Lal Chakma, Village Paharthali, Mahalchari

He has been beaten up and wounded by the Army personnel.

6

Aungshui Prue Marma (18), Son of Uggyajay Marma, Village Ramesu Para, Mahalchari

He has been beaten up and wounded by the Army personnel and the Bengali settlers.

7

Kandhi Marma (35), Son of Thuing Marma, Village Ramesu Para, Mahalchari

He has been beaten up and wounded by the Army personnel and the Bengali settlers.

8

Satya Ranjan Chakma (65), Son of Purna Kumar Chakma, Village Lemuchari, 250 No Lemuchari Mouza

The Bengali settlers struck him with swords and thus wounded him.

9

Bidhan Chakma (20), Son of Ananda Bilash Chakma, Village Nuwapara, Mahalchari

The Bengali settlers struck him with a stem of the tree in the left eye and thus wounded him.

Sacrilege and Damages

Serial No

Name of the Buddhist Temples

Description

1

Lemuchari Triratna Buddhist Temple

On the day of occurrence, the Bengali settlers destroyed one 10 feet long statue of Lord Buddha, looted and taken away 4 brass statues of Lord Buddha and thereafter they set the entire Buddhist temple on fire. Venerable Dharma Jyoti Bhikkhu, head of the temple, somehow managed to escape with his life.

2

Babu Para Amra Kanon Buddhist Temple

One Army personnel compelled the Head of the temple, Venerable Samanapriya Bhikkhu and Adi Ratan Khisa to open the door of the temple at gun point. The Army personnel has looted and forcibly taken away 10 five hundred Taka notes and ransacked the other materials.

3

Pahartali Shanti Niketan Buddhist Temple

The Bengali settlers forced their way into the temple and looted and taken away valuable materials.

4

Kerenganal Gnyanuday Buddhist Temple

The Bengali settlers burnt the temple to ashes.

Names of the Bengali settlers sustained injuries in the incident:

1

Md. Jasim

2

Harun, s/o Abul Kashem

3

Sarowar Alam

4

Jamal Uddin

5

Jishu Banik

6

Mithun Bishwas


Annexure- 4
Names of the accused in the criminal case filed by Md. Abul Kashem, a Bengali settler Doi Aungya Marma, an employee of PHE, Babu Para. Pratul Khisha (Homeopath), s/o Sudhanshu Bimal Khisha, Babu Para. Ula Aung Marma, s/o Doi Angya Marma, Babu Para. Sumilan Chakma s/o Shanti Chakma, Babu Para. Subhas Chakma, s/o Susamay Chakma, Babu Para. Madhab Chakma, s/o Dainik Kumar Chakma, Babu Para. Nipul Khisha, s/o Adi Ratan Khisha, Babu Para. Kalin Chakma, s/o Binimoy Chakma, Babu Para. Sonamani Chakma, s/o Tangu Chakma, Babu Para. Nidarshan Khisha s/o Binod Bihari Khisha, Babu Para. Bipul Khisha, s/o Sudhangshu Khisha, Babu Para. Daimond Chakma, Area Commander of the UPDF, Kengelchari Forest Office Sukumar Chakma alias Kulta, mother of Mina Debi Chakma (Teacher), Babu Para. Bakul Chakma s/o Sushil Mitra Chakma, Babu Para. Mari Chakma s/o Meghanath Chakma, Babu Para. Arman Chakma s/o Priya Ranjan Chakma, Pahartali. Sajal Chakma s/o Nil Mani Chakma, Ajit Chairman Para.

Names of the accused in the kidnapping case filed by Mr. Bijoy Krishna Mohajan, father of Rupan Mohajan

Archimedes Chakma, Mahalchari UP Chairman Sukumar Chakma (Kulta), mother of Mina Debi Chakma, Pahartali Arben Chakma, s/o Priya Ranjan Chakma, Pahartali Adishan Khisha Nidarshan, s/o Binod Bihari Khisha, Pahartali Binod Bihari Khisha, Babu Para Mongshi Marma, s/o Shoihla Prue Marma Mukut Mani Chakma, s/o Brishaketu Chakma, Pahartali Sajal Chakma, s/o Muni Chakma, Mahalchari sadar Bipul Khisha, s/o Sudhangshu Bimal Khaisha, Babu Para Bikash Chakma, s/o unknown, Bijitala, Khagrachari upazila Endi Chakma, s/o unknown, Bijitala Babu Dhan Chakma, s/o Ashta Basu Chakma, Pahartali Priti Chakma, s/o unknown Kalin Chakma, s/o Rajani Chakma, Khagracgari sadar Mari Chakma, s/o Meghanath Chakma, Pahartali. Other unknown persons.


Annexure- 5

The Bengali settlers who led the attack:

A. Attack at Lemuchari

Md. Jahirul Islam, s/o Late Lokman Sarkar Md. Jasim Abul Kalam Azad Jahirul Hoque Md. Abdur Rashid alias Panku Rashid s/o Rashul Mashud Misti Alam Nurul Islam, s/o Abdur Rashid Md. Mintu Mian, s/o Md. Samad Mian

B. Attack at Babu Para

Md. Jamal Uddin (employed at Khaja Hotel ), s/o Late Hasem Kaji Dr. Pradip Kumar Chowdhury, s/o Rakhal Chowdhury. Ajit Kanti Das (Ex-UP Chairman) Anup Mohajan, s/o Prophulla Mohajan Mohammad Ali, s/o Nurul Hoque Ratan Shil Tapas Barua, s/o Rakhal Barua Ratan Kumar shil, s/o Rabindra Shil Dewan Md. Abul Kalam Uttam Chanda, s/o Rajeswar Chanda Abul Kalam Master Nurul Islam (labour sarder) Titu Sen, s/o Babul Sen Rupan Shil Nepal Shil Tapas Barua, s/o Amalendu Barua Jamal Hossain, s/o Amanat Amalendu Barua Apu Das Kamal Member Md. Jasim (U P Member) Dilip Chanda, s/o Late Khoka Chanda Alak Sen, s/o Babu Sen Pulak Mohajan, s/o Bijoy Mohajan Jasim Uddin, s/o Late Mahbub driver Md. Ali, s/o Nurul Hoque

The names of the accused in the case against the Bengali settlers filed by Kishalay Chakma

Md. Abul Kalam Azad, 41, s/o unknown (Ex-UP member), village- Chongarachari Panku Rashid, 45, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Jahirul Islam, 52, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Jahedul Islam 25, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Nurul Islam, s/o Panku Rashid, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Ashraf Ali, 20, s/o Abdul Kalam, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Bhulu, 18, s/o Abdul Kalam, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Matin Leader, 48, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Hazrat Fakir, 55, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Altaf Ali, 25, s/o Hazrat Fakir, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Md. Ali, 38, s/o unknown, (Ex-UP Member), village- Chongarachari Anis Ali, 31, Platoon Commander, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Sufi, 26, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Nurun Nabi, 26, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Badi Commander, 36, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Aziz Dokandar, 46, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Kabul Bhuyain, 42, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Faruk, s/o Joynal, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Mantu, 25, s/o Aziz Dokandar, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Rafiq, 28, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Batya Joynal, 31, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Abu Samad Mistiri, 32, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Jahangir, 18, s/o Panku Rashid, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Tulu, 21, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Shahjahan, 20, s/o Mollah, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Aizal Dari, 52, s/o unknown, village- Chongarachari, P. S. Mahalchari Dr. Golam Mostafa, 28, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Ahmed Khalil, 55, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Shukkur Ali, 27, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Abdul Ali, 31, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Shahajahan Jele, 42, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Dr. Bakirullah, 25, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Md. Harun, 41, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Joynal, 29, s/o Mollah, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Mohar Ali, 27, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Suruj Jaman, 25, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Dhani Kuddus, 42, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Shaha Jamal, 47, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Sonaullah, 38, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Misti Alam, 32, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Salam, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Ful Mian, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Nuruj Jaman, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari Hakim, s/o unknown, village- Chongrachari, P. S. Mahalchari