chtnews.com
News No. 57/2010, March 15, 2010
“After on-the-spot inquiry we have found that such incidents cannot take place without the instigation of the army and administration, and therefore, we demand that the army officers and administrative officers involved in these incidents be brought to justice.”
This was stated by Faizul Hakim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Mukti Council (Bangladesh National Liberation Council), while narrating the experience of his recent visit to Sajek and Khagrachari at a press conference at National Press Club in Dhaka on 14 March. (photo attached)
He also urged the government to rehabilitate the settlers in the plain land.
In a written statement Mr. Faizul said, “We visited the spots from morning till before sunset where we saw the burnt houses and spoke with the victims. When we saw an army camp within 300 yards of the place of occurrence it became clear that the perpetrators must have carried out the attacks at the instigation of the army.”
He said the victims are still passing their nights under the open sky and “some of them are still living in the jungle.”
Even after the attacks, “the army personnel continue to threaten the people of ethnic minorities saying ‘if you have the guts, then build your houses here.’ They (army) also make shouts at night to frighten the victims.”
Mr. Faizul alleged that none of the perpetrators including Kashem, Linesman of Baghaihat Jeep Samiti, has been arrested.
He also narrated his visit to Satbheiyapara and Mahajonpara on 10 March, and said “the terrorist Bengalee settlers attacked UPDF activists in the presence of the police.”
The settlers also looted 8 houses in Mahajonpara before setting them on fire, he alleged.
“In Satbheiyapara the members of Armed Police Battalion at first created panic by firing shots. Frightened, the people of ethnic minorities fled their house and took shelter in the jungle. At this moment, a section of the settlers, at the instigation of the APBN, looted their houses and then set them on fire.” he said.
Mr. Faizul Hakim also made the following demands: a) to constitute a public inquiry committee and bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks of 19 – 20 February in Sajek and of 23 February in Khagrachari; b) to withdraw military rule from CHT, put a stop to Operation Uttoran and dismantle the army check posts; c) to restore the traditional land rights of the Jumma people; d) to provide Taka 1,000,000 to each of the two families of those killed in the 19 – 20 February attacks and rehabilitate the victims of the both incidents; and e) to stop mass arrests, torture and harassment.
The press conference was also attended by Nityananda Pal of Sangskritir Naya Setu and Partha Shankar Shaha of SEHD (Society for Environment and Human Development).
Faizul Hakim and other team members visited Sajek and Khagrachari from 9 – 10 March to participate in the obsequies held in honor of Buddha Pudi Chakma and Laxmi Bijoy Chakma who were killed in the last February settler attack.
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