These are some accounts of HR violations among thousands of unaccounted for against indigenous Jumma people by security forces and illegal state sponsored Bengali settlers

On 3 January 2005 an armed clash took place between the group of patrolling BDR and a group of UPDF cadres led by Nila Baran Chakma at Shilchari area under Baghaichari Upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district. In this clash, a BDR personnel named Shahjahan was shot death by the UPDF. In connection to this clash, local BDR members and army of several camps/zones are engaged in operation in the area. In this operation, innocent public are being harassed in several forms such as arrest, torturing, detention with false cases, looting etc. Many villagers have been compelled to leave their houses. People are leading inhuman life. Below are the some examples of the aftermaths of the incident:

a) On 4 January 2005 at around 11 am, a patrolling group of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) of 32 Rifles Battalion of Kachuchari camp under Baghaichari zone ofr Baghaichari Upazila in Rangamati district caught, interrogated and tortured Mr. Angara Chakma (25), s/o Nishi Kumar Chakma and Mr. Mohan Banshi Chakma (65), s/o Chandia Chakma.

b) Later on the same day Mr. Mukul Kanti Chakma (25), s/o Anil Kanti Chakma and Mr. Badi Ranjan Chakma (32), s/o Nishi Kumar Chakma from Kachuchari village of Sarboatali Union were taken to the nearby Kachuchari BDR camp where the were interrogated and tortured.

c) On the same day the group of BDR searched the house of Mr. Anil Kanti Chakma (46), s/o late Kali Mohan Karbari of Shilchari under Sarboatali union in Baghaichari and took away some valuables. Besides, the BDR looted goods of 25,000 Taka and cash 2,200 Taka from his shop.

d) On the same day, the army of Longadu zone took away chicken and other utensils such as Jar, bowl, dao, spade etc. from the house of Mr. Parbadi Chakma (60), s/o late Kalachan Chakma of Shilchari of Sarboatali union.

e) On the same day at 3 p.m. a group of BDR of 32 Battalion under Marishya zone led by Kachuchari camp commander searched the house of Mr. Sudhir Shankar Chakma (60), s/o Kamal Chandra Chakma of Chota Kachuchari of Baghaichari and harassed his two sons namely Diganta Chakma (18) and Kalyan Chakma (16) and Mr. Atulamoy Chakma (24), s/o Pulin Chakma.of Choto Kochuchari of Baghaichari by naming them as terrorist.

f) On the same day around 5 p.m. the army from 16 Bengal Longadu zone along the Bengali settlers ransacked the house of Mr. Bhallukya Chakma of Shilchari village and destroyed two trunk and took Taka 670 and cloths kept in the trunk and looted one small TV, one pump machine of 16 HP and a big size pan.

g) On the same day Mr. Pulin Chakma (42), s/o Bijoy Sen Chakma of Shilchari under Sarboatali union was arrested by the BDR of 32 Rifles Battalion of Marishya zone and after severe beating he was handed over to the Baghaichari police station. Next day he was sent to Rangamati jail accusing of false case.

h) On 5 January 2005 the army camped at Kachalong Arjapur Dharmojjal Bana Bihar caught and tortured inhumanly Mr. Bishwa Mitra Chakma (27), s/o Sumati Lal Chakma of Ugalchari under Baghaichari. He was admitted to Baghaichari hospital with serious injuries. Mr. Bhulukya Chakma (28) and Mr. Debendra Chakma were also seriously beaten up by the army.

i) On 6 January 2005 at around 10 p.m. the army camped at Kachalong Arjapur Dharmojjal Bana Bihar searched the house of Mr. Samratsur Chakma (42), s/o late Nanya Chakma, ex-Chairman of Baghaichari union. The army dug the floor of his house in search of arms and accused him as the arms trader. The army destroyed Mr. Chakma’s valuable documents. It is to be mentioned that the military stayed there from 5 January to 11 January. During their stay the army destroyed the sacredness of the Buddhist temple by slaughtering chickens in the compound of the temple.

j) On 6 January 2005 at 5:30 p.m. a group of army led by Major of Dighinala cantonment camped at Shilmuro Bana Kutir. During their stay the army destroyed the sacredness of the meditation centre by urinating and defecating at the mediation compound. The army also destroyed the signboard of the meditation centre. The army stayed there for one day and one night.

k) Description of the loss of the villagers as a result of the military and BDR operation-

1) Mr. Badi Ranjan Chakma (36), s/o Nishi Kumar Chakma of Shilchari; his furniture was completely destroyed;

2) Mr. Sura Mohan Chakma (45), s/o late Ananda Kumar Chakma; furniture of his house was destroyed;

3) Mr. Milan Kanti Chakma (42); the furniture of his house, cash Taka 300/-, parts of the pump machine, 6 inches television were destroyed and damaged;

4) Mr. Chandra Bikash Chakma (45); the furniture of his house were destroyed and damaged;

5) Ms. Laksman Chakma (30); 5 chickens weighting approximately 7 kgs was looted;

6) Mr. Kalpa Ranjan Chakma (34); 6 chickens weighting approximately 9 kgs was looted;

7) Mr. Kripa Moy Chakma (27); 7 chickens weighting approximately 8 kgs was looted;

8) Mr. Beragya Chakma (50); 3 chickens weighting approximately 5 kgs and 24 eggs were looted;

9) Mr. Mohan Banshi Chakma (65); one goat weighting approximately 7 kgs and chickens weighting approximately 5 kgs was looted;

10) Mr. Pulin Chakma; his house was destroyed, cash Taka 5,000/- and chickens weighting approximately 15 kgs were looted;

11) Mr. Angara Chakma (25); chickens weighting approximately 5 kgs was looted;

l) On 7 January 2005, the followings were indiscriminately beaten up by the patrol party of army on their way from Dojar bazar to Durchari bazar by boat-

1) Mr. Pradip Kumar Chakma (26), s/o Jnana Ratan Chakma of Nalbania village under Khedarmara union in Baghaichari upazila;

2) Mr. Santu Chakma (22), s/o Briksha Moni Chakma of Nalbania village under Khedarmara Union in Baghaichari upazila;

3) Mr. Ujjal Kanti Chakma (24), s/o Gunaban Chakma of Debachari of Ward no. 1 of Khedarmara union;

4) Mr. Badal Kanti Chakma (42), s/o late Kali Mohan Karbari of Dojar village of Ward no. 9 of Baghaichari Union;

5) Mr. Buddha Ranjan Chakma (40) of Dojar village of Ward no. 9 of Baghaichari Union;

6) Montu Chakma (26), s/o Anna Deb Chakma of Monya Ram Para under Khedarmara union;

7) Mr. Uttam Kumar Chakma (38), s/o Kala Chan Chakma of Uttar Pablakhali under Khedarmara union;

8) Mr. Bichinge Chakma (32), s/o Shubha Ranjan Chakma of Purba Khedermara village under Khedarmara union; he was severely tortured by the army during interrogation.

m) On 8 January 2005 the following villagers of Nabochara village under Baghaichari Union were severely tortured by a patrolling group of army-

1) Mr. Ripon Chakma (21), s/o Rabi Chakma of Madhyam Baghaichari

2) Mr. Ripon Chakma (22) of village Konglak of Sajek union (Bara Kajoichari Primary School teacher);

3) Mr. Jnana Shankar Chakma (45);

4) Mr. Jatil Bihari Chakma (35), s/o Naramya Chakma;

5) Mr. kala Dhan Chakma (30), s/o Naramya Chakma;

6) Mr. Sushil Chakma (35), s/o Chandra Moni Chakma of village Nobochara, Baghaichari union.

n) On the same day (8 January) at 3.00 p.m. Mr. Shambhu Mitra Chakma (32), s/o Surja Sen Chakma of Ultachari, Ward No 1, Sarboatali union and Mr. Purna Jiban Chakma (17), s/o Alo Moy Chakma of the same village were caught and beaten by the army at Tangumachara Ultachari. They were released with serious injuries on the next day.

o) On 8 January 2005 the following persons were arrested by the army while cutting bamboos at Shilaban area of New Lankar. It is still unknown about their whereabouts. On 12 January 2005 Mr. Sunil Chakma (35), s/o Sushanti Chakma were seen along with the patrolling army group at Tulaban village. The victims were:

1) Mr. Anantashil Chakma (55), s/o Birendra Lal Chakma of Uluchari, Ward No. 1, Khedarmara union;

2) Mr. Dilak Sudhir Chakma (25), s/o Late Jnana Lal Chakma of Ugalchari, Ward No. 7, Baghaichari union;

3) Mr. Chiakn Chela Chakma (25), s/o Jamini Mohan Chakma of Ugalchari, ward no. 7, Baghaichari union;

4) Mr. Sunil Chakma alias Sattabajya (25), s/o Sushanta Chakma of Ugalchari, Baghaichari Union.

p) On 9 January 2005 Mr. Metta Chakma (32), s/o Tukkya Chakma was beaten by the army patrolling at Gobochari in Baghaichari upazila.

Memorandum submitted to Prime Minister and other concerned authorities:

On 15 January 2005 the following local public representatives and leaders submitted memorandum to the Prime Minster, Home Minister and Deputy Minister for CHT Affairs of Government of Bangladesh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on CHT Affairs Ministry, Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council and Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati hill district for taking necessary steps to stop military harassment on innocent Jumma people, such as, torture, arrest, lodging false case, looting valuables, religious persecutions etc. The copy of the memorandum was sent to the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council and Circle Chief of Chakma Circle for necessary actions. They mentioned in the memorandum that they condemned killing of BDR personnel but it was not justified to commit brutal harassment by the BDR and army on the innocent Jumma villagers in the area in the name of searching armed miscreants. But the authority has taken no action so far. The signatories were:

1) Mr. Priyananda Chakma, Chairman of the Sorboatali union;

2) Mr. Suchitra Chakma, Chairman of the Khedarmara union;

3) Mr. Uttarayan Chakma, Chairman of the Bangaltali union;

4) Mr. Bishwapriya Chakma, Ex-chairman of Khedarmara union;

5) Mr. Tridiv Kanti Chakma, Member of the Sarboatali union;

6) Mr. Lalit Chandra Chakma, Member, Ward no. 9, Baghaichari union;

7) Mr. Brishaketu Chakma, Ex-chairman of the Sarboatali union;

8) Mr. Milan Kanti Chakma, Member, Ward no. 1, Sarboatali union;

9) Mr. Nikhil Jiban Chakma, local leader;

10) Mr. Amalendu Bikash Chakma, Ex-member of the Khedarmara union;

11) Mr. Samratsur Chakma, Ex-chairman of the Baghaichari union.

Follow-up report on massive military atrocity in Baghaichari upazila

Till 30 January 2005, the army and BDR are continuing combing operation in Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. In connection to this incident, the army and BDR started to conduct operation on the common people of the area in the name of searching armed miscreants. The local public representatives of several unions under Baghaichari upazila submitted memorandum to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Deputy Minister for CHT Affairs of the Government People’s Republic of Bangladesh including General Officer of Commanding (GOC) of 24th Infantry Division of Chittagong cantonment for stopping military atrocity on the innocent Jumma villagers. In addition, the district branch of the PCJSS and the local public representatives also urged Government to stop military atrocity on the Jumma villagers in a press conference held in Rangamati press club on 28 January. But the combing operation is still going in the area so far. For instances:

a) On 12 January 2005 the army of 20 EBR from Baghaihat camp led by Captain Mehedi conducted operation at Shijak area in Baghaichari upazila. After the operation, they stayed all night at Ugolchari BDR camp (32 Rifles) in Baghaichari upazila.

b) On 12 January Major Amzad and Captain Mehedi accused local leaders for killing of BDR member. Captain Mehedi threatened to continue combing operation throughout Baghaichari area so that the people could not cultivate their farmland. Even he would not permit local people to extract forest product so that local people would stay without food. The army officer ordered the local leaders to inform mass people that the army would fire if anybody ranaway. Among others, Mr. Bibhu Ranjan Chakma, Headman of 380 Shijak mouza; Mr. Kiran Bikash Chakma, UP Chairman; Mr. Anil Chakma, Member of no. 8 Ward; Ms. Bakul Bala Chakma, Member of UP and Md. Gafur, local UP Member were present at Ugolchari camp at that time.

c) On 13 January as per his declaration Captain Mehedi with a group of army went out for operation to New Lallyaghona village. At 10.00 p.m. the army surrounded the house of Mr. Prabhat Kumar Chakma, Central Member of the PCJSS. Captain Mehedi harassed him and searched his house. The army also searched the houses of the villagers. After that, the army caught the following innocent villagers and took to the camp:

1) Mr. Bachhu Mani Chakma (28) s/o Priya Lal Chakma

2) Mr. Devashish Chakma (29)

3) Mr. Iron Chakma (27) s/o Priya Lal Chakma

4) Mr. Santosh Bimal Chakma (68) s/o Burigala Chakma

5) Mr. Prabhat Kumar Chakma (52) s/o Surashi Sen Chakma

6) Mr. Shankar Chakma (35) s/o Sura Mohan Chakma

7) Mr. Raj Kumar Chakma (58) s/o Budungya Chakma

8) Mr. Bana Bihari Chakma (58) s/o Brisha Mohan Chakma

9) Mr. Sugata Chakma (55) s/o late Gyana Ranjan Chakma

10) Mr. Nitish Chakma (24) s/o Sugata Chakma

Among them, Devashish Chakma and Iron Chakma were kept all night long at Ugolchari BDR camp and released next day after torturing brutally. The army also surrounded the house of Raj Kumar Chakma at night on 13 January and caught the following Jumma villagers who came there for cooperation to Raj Kumar for his mother’s funeral function. The victims were:

1) Mr. Raj Kumar Chakma s/o Budungya Chakma

2) Mr. Bhupati Chakma (32) s/o Jatindra Chakma

3) Mr. Priya Baran Chakma (28) s/o Jyotirmoy Chakma

4) Mr. Ram Chandra Chakma (27) s/o Ranga Choga Chakma

5) Mr. Binoy Shankar Chakma (34) s/o Raj Chandra Chakma

6) Mr. Khokan Alo Chakma (24) s/o Rabindra Chakma

7) Mr. Devashish Chakma (22) s/o Ratna Kumar Chakma

8) Mr. Tatu Muni Chakma alias Batya (27) s/o Hamesh Kumar Chakma

9) Mr. Jayesh Chakma (22) s/o Sneha Kumar Chakma

10) Mr. Rantu Chakma (22) s/o Samir Karbari

11) Mr. Bantu Chakma (18) s/o Samir Karbari

12) Mr. Anupam Chakma (22) s/o Prabhat Kumar Chakma

13) Mr. Tarun Jiban Chakma (25) s/o Barun Kumar Chakma

14) Mr. Golak Chandra Chakma (22) s/o Sadhan Kumar Chakma

15) Mr. Binoy Chakma (20) s/o Soubhagya Chakma

16) Ms. Bina Rani Chakma (32) w/o Rupam Chakma (returnee JSS member and now police constable)

17) Mr. Iron Chakma (27) s/o Santosh Bimal Chakma.

d) On 14 January early in the morning the army also arrested Mr. Bhupati Chakma (34) s/o Jatindra Chakma from the house of Mr. Raj Kumar Chakma of New Lallyaghona village. The villagers were released later on after torturing brutally.

e) On 16 January 2005 the following two innocent villagers were arrested from their houses and released next day after torturing brutally by the same army led by Captain Mehedi. They got admission to Baghaichari upazila hospital:

11) Mr. Satya Prakash Chakma alias Chitta (28) s/o Ananda Kumar Chakma of Battala village under Baghaichari union

12) Mr. Ujjal Kanti Chakma (28) s/o Hemanta Kumar Chakma of Lambachari village of New Lallyaghona under Baghaichari union.

The army also searched the house of Mr. Ananda Kumar Chakma. They army caught following three innocent villagers:

13) Mr. Chitticha Chakma (20) s/o Ananda Kumar Chakma

14) Mr. Bitta Chakma (28) s/o Ananda Kumar Chakma

15) Mr. Hitosh Chakma (18) Gyana Lal Chakma

The army kept them all night long at Ugolchari camp and tortured them brutally. They army interrogated them whereabouts armed miscreants. The army also searched the house of Ananda Priya Master and harassed him.

f) On 17 January a group of army led by Captain Masud conducted operation at Moreghonachara village and tortured 4 Jumma youths. The names of the victims were not available.

g) On 18 January a group of RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) from Khagrachari joined the combing operation in Baghaichari. They collected name and address of the accused Jumma people and information of members of the PCJSS living in Baghaichari police station. The group of RAB stationed at BDR camp.

h) On 21 January all the Jumma people while going to Dojar Bazar were brought down from trawlers and gathered at Dojar Buddhist temple. After that, the army started torturing at Dojar Buddhist temple. The army ordered the Jumma to pray to Lord Buddha whether he could save them from torturing.

i) On 23 January at 11.30 p.m. the army led by Captain Mehedi conducted operation at Ugolchari and its nearby villages. In this operation, the army arrested following 8 Jumma villagers from Ugolchari and its nearby areas. Among them, 5 villagers were released after brutally torture. One of them Mr. Sumentu Chakma got admitted to Baghaichari upazila hospital on 24 January. He was transferred to Rangamati general hospital with serious injuries on 25 January. Other 3 villagers, namely, Mr. Shanti Shankar Chakma alias Chipan, Mr. Tunya Chakma and Mr. Bhupati Chakma were handed over to Baghaichari police station on 24 January and produced to district court on 25 January. The army also searched house of Mr. Nirbashish Chakma (35) s/o Lalit Chandra Chakma and harassed him. The victims were:

16) Mr. Shanti Shankar Chakma alias Chipan (35) s/o Mati Lal Chakma of Ugolchari village;

17) Mr. Tunya Chakma (42) s/o Nirmal Kanti Chakma of Ugolchari village;

18) Mr. Bhupati Chakma (38) s/o Jyotindra Lal Chakma of New Lallyaghona village;

19) Mr. Baburam Chakma (23) s/o Nila Mohan Chakma of Ugolchari village;

20) Mr. Kanchan Chakma (24) s/o Sugata Chakma of Ugolchari village;

21) Mr. Annyo Chakma (22) s/o Patyaram Chakma of Ugolchari village;

22) Mr. Tarun Chakma (30) s/o Barun Kumar Chakma of New Lallyaghona village;

23) Mr. Sumentu Chakma (22) s/o Nirmal Chandra Chakma of Ugolchari village.

j) On 23 January 2005 Master Bandachya Chakma a 9 year old minor s/o Pagana Khulo Chakma of Dojar area was sexually abused by an army person while he, along with his one friend, went to collect forest products at nearby forest. The army sent the friend of Bandachya to buy him food and in the meantime he committed the sexual harassment. The army let the boy go home giving Taka 50 not to disclose this matter. Later the boy along with his friend went to the Dojar bazar and disclosed the matter. Mr. Milan Karbari and Mr. Shashanka Chakma informed the army major who was staying at the nearby Primary School.

The Jummas were sent back home with hope that he would deal with this matter. Later it was heard that the major beat and sent the army constable to Marishya.

k) More than 20 groups of army engaged in this operation are staying following areas:

24) Three groups of army at Uluchari led by Major Rashed of 16 EBR

25) Three groups of army at Ugolchari led by Major Amzad of 2 EBR

26) Three groups of army at Kachuchari led by Captain Masud of 28 EBR

27) Five groups of army at Marishya area

28) Three groups of army at Shijak Dojar area

29) Three groups of army at at Halimpur area.

On 15 January 2005 at around 7.30 p.m. a group of army led by Major Faruk from Nalkata camp under Panchari upazila in Khagrachari district conducted searching operation at Nalkata village in Panchari upazila. In this operation, the army caught and beaten brutally Mr. Bimal Kanti Chakma (35) s/o Bira Mohan Chakma.

On 13 January 2005 Mr. Enamul Hoque, Field Investigation Officer (FIO) of security forces and Mr. Kasem, member of the Village Defense Party (VDP) have been found in sticking posters of Bangali Chhatra Parishad (Bengali Students’ Council) in Ruma upazila under Badarban district. The Bangali Chhatra Parishad is extreme Islamic and nationalist organisation and the extreme fundamentalist force backed by army. The organization has been working against the Jumma people including PCJSS.

On 22 January 2005 a group of army of 6 EBR from Panchari zone conducted searching operation at Sadhuram Karbari Para under Logang union in Panchari upazila. During the operation, the army gathered all the villagers and harassed them interrogating unnecessary questions. The following innocent people were inhumanly beaten by the army. Among the victims, Mr. Indra Gandhi Chakma got serious injury. He was caught while he was going to his farm land for collecting turmeric. The victims were:

1) Mr. Mr. Indra Gandhi Chakma (35) s/o Matilal Chakma

2) Mr. Nagarchan Chakma (50)

3) Mr. Buddha Ranjan Chakma (30) s/o Nagarchan Chakma

4) Mr. Eltu Chakma (20) s/o Rangachan Chakma

5) Mr. Sadan Jyoti Chakma (18) s/o Kirti Dayal Chakma

6) Mr. Tutulya Chakma (16)

7) Mr. Sumati Ranjan (28) s/o Mahendra Chakma

8. Mr. Babu Chakma (16) s/o Mojara Chakma

On 25 January 2005 Ms. Kabla Tripura (28) w/o Ratnadhan Tripura of Alutila Madyam Para village under Matiranga upazila in Khagrachari district was raped by an army person of Hriday Member Para army camp under Khedachara army zone. At that time, Ms. Kabla Tripura went to jungle near to village to collect hemp and the army caught her. The name of the army involved with this heinous rape was not identified. The Commanding Officer of the Khedachara zone put pressure upon the relatives of Kabla Tripura for compromising.

On 26 January 2005 Mr. Uttam Mani Chakma, Mr. Suren Cakma and other three passengers were arrested from a launch at Burighat bazar under Naniarchar upazila in Rangamati district and tortured inhumanly. Among them, Uttam Mani Chakma was handed over to Kotowali police station of Rangamati district under section 54 on 27 January 2005. The rest were released.

On 27 January 2005 at around 3:00 a.m., Bangladesh military led by Major Babar from the Matiranga zone under Guimara Brigade in Khagrachari district raided the house of the Mr. Shashanka Dhamai s/o late Jatindra Dhamai of Bailyachari School Para village under Matiranga sub-district of Khagrachari district. The military brutally tortured him for his failure to tell the whereabouts of Jirendra Tripura, an indigenous

person who was charged with "terrorist activities" by military intelligence.

Shashanka Dhamai was an international refugee repatriated from India to the Chittagong Hill Tracts under the 20-Point Package Agreement signed between the Government of Bangladesh and leaders of the Jumma refugees in 1997.

The military also accused Mr. Dhamai of having relations with "terrorists". They interrogated and harassed him over the expenditure of his sons studying in Dhaka and Chittagong. He was set free on the condition of submission of a report of his yearly income. He was ordered to report to the military camp every. He was arrested by Bangladesh military on 11 August 2004 too.

On 15 February 2005 at 11:00 a.m. six innocent Jumma people were arrested from a shop of Gyanaram Karbari of Hajachara-Baghaihat area of Baghaichari upazila under Rangamati district and later inhumanly tortured by a group of Bangladesh army led by Lt. Colonel Abdul Rob of Baghaihat zone under 203 Khagrachari brigade of Khagrachari district. The victims were as follows:

1) Kulin Chakma Swapan, 22, village- Pujgang, Panchari upazila, Khagrachari Hill District. (It is notable that Kulin Chakma is one of relatives of shopkeeper Gyanram Karbari and he went for a visit here).

2) Buddha Dhan Chakma, 28, a businessman, village- Baibachara, Baghaihat area of Baghachari upazila, Rangamati Hill District.

3) Sonaiya Chakma, 29, s/o Banijya Chakma, village- Hajachari, Baghaihat area of Baghachari upazila, Rangamati Hill District.

4) Nidhu Chakma, 20, s/o Gyanaram Chakma, village- Hajachari, Baghaihat area of Baghachari upazila, Rangamati Hill District.

5) Shankar Chakma, 23, village- Karenga Tali, Baghachari upazila, Rangamati Hill District.

6) Sneha Chakma Machya, 35, village- Pahnchari, Dighinala upazila, Khagrachari Hill District. (He is a businessman of small-scale.)

It was known that on that day the above-mentioned persons were playing caroms and taking tea at the shop of Gyanaram Karbari. At the time of 11:00 a.m. a number of

army personnel from Baghaihat zone came at and surrounded the shop. After a moment they fired a blank shot. As a result, all the present persons tried to run away from the shop. On the instant, army personnel led by Lt. Colonel Abdul Rob rushed to the spot and arrested the innocent people. After arrest, the attained innocent persons were beaten mercilessly and threatened by the army saying this that "all the arrested persons are collector and terror of PCJSS. For long 24 years they were involved in terrorist activities of PCJSS and they are still so." At last, due to physical torture the arrested persons were compelled to admit as supporter and collector of PCJSS.

Next day on 16 February the army led by Major Sourab handed over Kulin Chakma Swapan and Buddha Dhan Chakma to Baghaichari police station along with a country-made gun. The rests were released. The local people told that around one and half month before, a Bengali settler found this country-made gun at the stream near Baghaihat bazar while he was fishing. He deposited this gun to the army zone. But it was mentioned in case filed against Kulin Chakma Swapan and Buddha Dhan Chakma with Baghaichari police station that this was found with them.

On 17 March 2005, a group of APB members in disguise of general Bengali went to gather sand from Hazaribag area of Balukhali Union under Rangamati District by two boats. The owners of the under mentioned land requested the APB members not to gather sand while they were gathering sand from their land. But, at this, the APB members grew angry and began to beat the landowners. The victims are as follows-

1) Shantu Chakma (16), s/o Pradip Chandra Chakma

2) Binanda Chakma (36)

3) Nigaramoni Chakma (18), s/o Shashi Chandra Chakma and

4) Juddadhan Chakma, s/o Chokh Kala Chakma (a returnee PCJSS member)

Hearing shouting, publics came forward to rescue the landowners while they were being beaten up by the APB members who were in disguise of general publics. The rescuers realized only then that the disguised publics are the members of security force dressed in white apparels while they opened up their arms. Later, the commander of that group contacted with his senior officer on wireless set and became inspired to take some villagers as fugitive. Ultimately the APB members refrained from gathering sand due to strong protestation by the local people. The locals also showed agitation while the APBs tried to captivate Mr. Jiban Chakma (28) on their returning. Later, the APB members were compelled to leave the spot and anchored their boats at the jetty of Armed Police Battalion in Rangamati.

The local villagers complained that those white dressed APB members went to gather sand for several times from that area before with paying no cost for it.

On 19 March 2005 a public meeting was organised jointly by Sajek union committees of PCJSS and Hill Students’ council at Baghaihat area under Baghaichari upazila of Rangamati Hill District. At the beginning of the meeting lieutenant Sabbir of Baghaihat zone came at the meeting spot and wanted to know the aims and objectives of the meeting from Clinton Chakma, general secretary of Sajek union committee of Hill Students’ Council. In replying, Clinton Chakma and his associates said that they would discuss about development activities of UNDP. Hearing this, in counter reply, lieutenant Sabbir said that if UNDP worked, would work through us (army), not through any NGO or another organisation. After that lieutenant Sabbir went to the zone. But after a moment lieutenant Sabbir again came to the meeting spot accompanying by one major and threatening the people said that no meeting would be allowed here in any case.

Last month of March the army personnel made harassment over several Jumma houses of different places in two days in Rangamati town in the name of so-called raid.

It was learnt that on 28 March 2005 at about 9:00 p.m. a group of army personnel conducted a raid over two houses including the house of Mr. Sanchay Chakma, president of Hill Students’ Council, Vedvedi area branch of the town. In the same date, at about 12:00 p.m. another group of army personnel raided more five houses of Rangapani area of the town. The names of owner of those houses are: 1) Nilanga Chakma, 2) Kalaya Chakma, 3) Sukhamoy Chakma, 4) Annamuni Chakma, 5) Pushpa Dhan Chakma.

On the other hand, 31 March 2005 late night at about 12:00 p.m. a group of army personnel surrounded the house of Nishi Kumar Chakma at Jogendra Dewan Para of Rangapani and made Nishi Kumar Chakma awake from sleep. Then the army asked Nishi Kumar Chakma groundlessly whether there was any disturbance. Nishi Kumar Chakma is an innocent employee.

300 Bengali Muslim settler families are being rehabilitated by the army at Baghaihat under Baghachari upazila of Rangamati Hill District. The Bengali settler families are being relocated to Baghaihat area from the surrounding area of Dighinala Cantonment under Khagrachari district.

This relocation is being undertaken by the army of Dighinala cantonment and Baghaihat zone It is also reported that more than 14 families have already been settled at Baghaihat Bazaar area and 117 more families will be brought under the relocation programme.

There is also plan to settle down Bengali on the roadside of Baghaichari-Baghaihat-Sajek. Decision has been taken to settle down 4000 families at Machalong area.

The day labors engaged in road construction work are the ones who have settled down there. Sajek road is one of the roads which is being constructed by the army and where all day labors are Bengali settlers.

The respective villagers of Tulaban and Kadamtali reported that a group of Armed Police Battalion (APB) personnel set up a tent on 1 April 2005 on the land of Mr. Tukkya Chakma, village of Kadamtali. This place is a middle point of Tulaban and Kadamtali village of Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. The villagers assumed that the APB personnel have been setting up this tent for expanding a camp on that land.

On 4 April 2005 at around 12.00 a.m. PCJSS of local union branch of Baghaihat under Baghaichari called a public meeting on the occasion of Bizu 2005 (a traditional social festival of indigenous Jumma people) as well as regarding development project of UNDP at the house of Jyoti Lal Karbari at Gangaram Mukh village of Baghaihat area of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. Former union member Shanti Moy Chakma, Organising Secretary of PCJSS of local union branch led the public meeting.

Right at the said moment a group of army personnel led by Lieutenant Kaium of Baghaihat zone surrounded the place and participants of meeting. Thereafter, the army personnel noted down names and addresses of the participants and then they left the place.

Just after two hours of that event again a group of army personnel led by one major including the said Lieutenant came to the meeting spot and then they forced the participants to break the meeting. Even the army personnel ordered that nobody would be allowed to organise such a meeting in the area. The major aiming at Shanti Moy Chakma said that the meeting was foiled as per order of Commanding Officer (CO) of Baghaihat zone and Shanti Moy Chakma must meet the CO.

Later on 6 April 2005 at about 11:00 a.m. Shanti Moy Chakma met the CO and he had received an order from the CO that any kind of meeting regarding development or non-development would not be allowed at this locality except open Meeting with mike.

On 6 April 2005 at about 10:00 p.m. a group of army personnel led by Major Babar of Matiranga zone surrounded the house of Amar Sing Chakma, president of PCJSS of Matiranga upazila committee of Khagrachari district. Then Major Babar brought an allegation to Amar Sing Chakma without any ground that PCJSS was responsible for the incident occurred at Nakkopara area under Matiranga upazila on 4 April 2005 where Surendra Karbari of Kholapara was kidnapped. At that time the army personnel motivatedly made pressure on Amar Sing Chakma to find out kidnapped Surendra Karbari. Even the said Major threatened Amar Sing Chakma that if he failed to do so Amar Sing Chakma would be faced severe consequences.

It is mentionable that Amar Sing Chakma is father of Jimpu Chakma who was killed by army personnel of Matiranga army zone through inhuman torture on 23 August 2004.

Besides, the army personnel of Matiranga zone led by Lieutenant Colonel Enaet Ullah physically tortured on the innocent returnee Jumma refugee of Chan Kumar Karbari Para village on 28 March 2005.

On 11 April, two PCJSS leaders, namely, Mr. Gyana Ranjan Chakma, Convenor of Naniarchar branch of the PCJSS and Mr. Siddhartha Chakma, PCJSS local leader, went to Khan Bari (district headquarter of the DGFI) at Tabalchari to meet with Major Siraj in request of Md. Jasim, an agent of Directorate-General of Field Intelligence (DGFI) at 7.00 p.m. During the meeting Major Siraj threatened the PCJSS leaders and asked the following questions:

1) Whether PCJSS would participate in the next parliamentary election and whether PCJSS would support Awami League nominee Mr. Shaktiman Chakma in the Parliamentary Election or would support Mr. Mani Swapan Dewan, present Deputy Minister of the BNP. The local PCJSS leaders replied that they did not know anything about the election.

2. Whether Samiran Chakma who surrendered to PCJSS quitting UPDF supplied arms for PCJSS. In reply, the leaders said that they did not know Shamiran and the questions asked by Major Siraj were not true.

3) Whether Ashapurna Chakma is engaged in extortion in Rangamati area and deposited it to Mr. Satyabir Dewan for various purposes including arms purchasing. The leaders replied that they knew nothing about this.

Major Siraj told them that he did not understand about the Unwritten Agreement between the government and the PCJSS what the PCJSS president has been raising in the public meetings and demanding for the proper implementation of the CHT Accord and withdrawal of all temporary camps.

Finally major Siraj threatened to death by Cross Fire all pro-accord activists including Mr. Satyabir Dewan and Ashapurna Chakma. He also motivatedly asked whether the Vedvedi area in Rangamati municipality is base area for the PCJSS. The leaders replied to the Major’s question is absolutely baseless. The Major also advised them not to mention (demand) the withdrawal of military and military camps. These would never be withdrawn from the CHT region

On 22 April 2005 C.O of Baghaihat zone Lt. Colonel Abdur Rob called local leader Manas Chakma (Manas Babu), Ripan Chakma (Ripan Babu) and ex UP member Shanti Chakma staying at Baghaihat area to meet with him. At that time, zone commander Abdur Rob threatened and said that UPDF was opposed to come to Baghaihat. So, after this, if any kidnapping occurred here, JSS would be responsible for this. Besides, the commander also said that those who were here would have to bear responsibility of all incidents.

On 27 April 2005 at night army personnel of Baghaihat zone surrounded and raided several villages nearby Baghaihat area of Baghaichari upazila under Rangamati hill district. The names of the said villages are: 1) Retkapa, 2) Baghaihat Guchchagram, 3) Gongaram door, 4) Dipupara, 5) Ahjha Chara, 6) Baiba Chara.