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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Communal attack made upon Jummas in Baghaichari and Dighinala: Report from Kapaeeng


Communal attack made upon Jummas in Baghaichari and Dighinala: Report from Kapaeeng

14 December 2011
On 14 December 2011 following the death of a Bengali settler named Md. Sattar, the Bengali settlers made communal attack on Jumma people in Baghaichari bazaar under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district and Kabakhali bazaar under Dighinala upazila in Khagrachari district. A Jumma woman was killed in Dighinala and at least 10 Jummas were injured in this attack.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from Marishya zone opened blank fire to disperse Bengali settlers while they were moving toward Babu Para under Baghaichari upazila to attack Jumma villagers. Local administration imposed section 144 at Marishya area under Baghaichari upazila to bring situation under control.
It is learnt that deceased Md. Sattar (30) of Kabakhali settler village under Dighinala upazila has been ferrying passengers by motorbike from Dighinala to Baghaichari road. He went missing yesterday (13 December) after ferrying a passenger from Kabakhali of Dighinala to Baghaichari. His dead body was recovered today (14 December) from nearby settlers’ locality at 4 Miles area (near Marishyachara area) under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district.
Soon after dead body of Md. Sattar was recovered, the Bengali settlers became agitated and started to attack on Jumma people at Marishya bazaar under Baghaichari upazila and at Babuchara bazaar under Dighinala upazila. Today is market day at Marishya bazaar and Babuchara bazaar.
It is reported that the Bengali settlers made attack indiscriminately on Jumma people at Marishya bazaar. At least 8 Jummas including a college student were allegedly injured. Chairman of Baghaichari upazila Mr. Sudarshan Chakma and local reporter of daily Prothom Alo Mr. Sadhan Bikash were driven away by Bengali settlers while they went to Chowmuhani area of Marishya Bazaar for looking into the incident. Among others, the following injured Jummas at Marishya bazaar attack were identified as-
(1) Mr. Shanti Moy Chakma (36), officer of CHT Development Board
(2) Mr. Mukut Kanti Tripura (50), manager of CHT Development Board (address- Takurchara villager under Khagrachari). He sustained injured on his head and hands.
(3) Mr. Ronik Chakma (35), rubber businessman of CHT Development Board (address- Perachar, Khagrachari) (he sustained injuries on his back)
(4) Mr. Kalachokko Chakma (28) from Tulaban under Baghachari.
It is also learnt that BGB opened blank fire to disperse Bengali settlers while they were moving toward Babu Para in Banghaichari to attack Jumma villagers. At that time, Jumma villagers also gathered there to resist Bengali settlers. Local administration imposed section 144 to bring situation under control.
On the other, the Bengali settlers also attacked on Jumma villagers at Kabakhali bazaar. Sources said that Bengali settlers made attack upon a jeep carrying Jumma passengers at Kabakhali bazaar. Almost all Jumma passengers except one Chikon Mila Chakma could narrowly escape. However, Ms. Chikon Mila Chakma (40) w/o Jiten Chakma of village Kaurimachara of Kabakhali union could not able to escape. She was brutally chopped to kill. Her dead body was taken to Khagarchari district hospital for autopsy. Jiten Chakma (45), husband of Chikon Mila Chakma was also reportedly injured. He is now under treatment at Dighinala health complex. Sources reported that many permanent Bengali residents helped to Jummas to escape.
It is also reported that hundreds of Bengali settlers gathered at Jamtali area (along the Khagrachari-Dighinala road) under Dighinala upazila with the intention to attack Jumma passengers. Sensing this, local army authority rapidly took action to disperse the Bengali settlers.
The Bengali settlers are still trying to spread communal tension in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts. Panic prevails among Jumma villagers fearing further attack. Source said that army patrolling is going on in Baghaichari area to protect any further communal attack.
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Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

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