chtnews.com
News No. 88/2010, April 08, 2010
The Jumma villagers in Kaokhali have been living in fear, as the army has stepped up patrol of the Jumma-inhabited areas since the murder of Jharna Dewan on 29 March by illegal Bengalee settlers.
“The members of Bangladesh military have been patrolling Jumma villages such as Talukdarpara, Ullah, Rengeypara, Panchari, Sugunochari and Betchari day and night causing fear among the residents.” a high school teacher told chtnews.com by mobile phone from Kaokhali bazaar.
A resident of Talukdarpara said, “The CO of Kaokhali army zone came to our village 3 to 4 days ago and threatened us with massacres and tortures. He said ‘we are here since 1980, and we know how to handle a gun’ indirectly referring to Kalampati massacre that took place in 1980.”
Another Jumma villager said the army had been patrolling the area in shifts. “One group comes in the morning and stays till sun set, while another group replaces it at night.” he added.
The army became particularly aggressive after the Jummas had taken to the streets to protest to against the killing of Jharna Dewan over a dispute with Bengalee settlers over a piece of land.
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