chtnews.com
News No. 94/2010, April 12, 2010
The three-day traditional Boisabi festival of the Jumma people begins today with front organisations of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) hoisting black flags and holding black flag demonstrations in Dhaka and Sajek.
The Hill Student’s Council, Democratic Youth Forum, Hill Women’s Federation, Sajek Land Protection Committee and Sajek Women Association had earlier called for a general boycott of the festival in protest against attacks on Jumma people in Sajek and Khagrachari in February.
Fifteen socio-cultural organisations as well as Khagrachari Karbari Association expressed their support for the call.
Khagrachari
The Khagrachari town is decorated with black flags and festoons with various slogans. Black flags and festoons have been hoisted at various points of the town including Mahajonpara, Khabangpujjya, Naranghia and Perachara and in Dighinala, Laxmichari, Matiranga Upazilas. Other Upazilas of the district will witness the same tomorrow, organisers informed.
No organisation has brought out Boisabi procession this year in Khagrachari. Nor have any traditional games and cultural events been organised either.
Rangamati
Black flags and festoons have been hoisted in Kaokhali, Ghilachari, Kudukchari, Naniachar, Manikchari, Subholong, Jurachari and Baghaichari in protest against the February attacks in Sajek and Khagrachari.
In Sajek, the attack victims brought out a procession waving black flags. At a rally held after the procession, the speakers blamed the government for their inability to take part in the celebration of the festival.
They also alleged that they have not been provided adequate compensation, the attackers have not been arrested and no inquiry committee has been formed to inquire into the incident.
“Moreover, the army personnel continue to intimidate and harass us.” they said.
Ompika Chakma, Convenor of Sajek Nari Samaj (Women’s Association) said: “One cannot celebrate when one is starving in the jungle enduring mosquito bites.” She urged the government to immediately fulfill the demands of the attack victims.
The rally was also addressed by Nimesh Chakma, convenor of Youth Committee for the Protection of Land in Sajek, its member Laxmi Mitra Chakma, village elder Atu Lal Chakma and Sajek Union Council member Ms Josna Rani Chakma.
Black flag demonstration in Dhaka
Five organisations held a black flag demonstration in Dhaka in support of the Boisabi boycott call. They also brought out a procession waving black flags. It started from in front of DUCSU Cafeteria, paraded Dhaka University campus and then marched on National Press Club.
The five organisatgions are Hill Student’s Council, Hill Women’s Federation, Democratic Youth Forum, Sajek Land Protection Committee and Sajek Nari Samaj.
At a rally held in front of DUCSU Cafeteria before taking out the procession, Faizul Hakim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatya Mukti Counci, blamed the security forces and settlers for the attacks on Jumma villages in Sajek and Khagrachari and called for the government to withdraw military rule in order to restore durable peace in the CHT.
Alleging that a certain interest group was conspiring to ban UPDF, the speakers said: “UPDF has been campaigning for the rights of the Jumma people for over a decade through peaceful and democratic means. During this time more than two hundred of its leaders, activists and supporters have been killed, and hundreds others detained in jail on framed up charges.”
“The people of CHT will frustrate this conspiracy.” they added.
The speakers demanded immediate rehabilitation of the attack victims of Sajek and Khagrachari, arrest of army and settlers involved in the attacks and formation of an inquiry committee to probe the incidents.
The speakers are Faizul Hakim, General Secretary, Bangladesh Jatya Mukti Council; Mithun Chakma, convenor of Democratic Youth Forum; Aongay Marma, President of Hill Student’s Council; Ashish Sharma, convenor of Biplobi Chattra Sangha; Nurur Rahman Shiplu, convenor of Biplobi Chattra Jubo Andolon; Mostafa Mahbub Russel, convenor of Prajanma Paribrajok Dal; Samiul Alam Richi, President of Bangladesh Chattra Federation and Biany Chakma, member of Sajek Land Protection Committee.
Besides, Nittyananda Pal of Sangskritir Naya Setu, Kripa Rani Chakma of Sajek Nari Samaj and a representative from Lamp Post were also present at the rally.
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