On 10 April 2024, Bangladesh army detained innocent indigenous Bawm men, women and children in Ruma and Thanchi.

Bangladesh army detain 54 indigenous Bawm people in Ruma and Thanchi

Bangladesh armed forces arrested 54 indigenous Bawm men and women following the bank robbery by the KNF (Kuki-Chin National Front) in Ruma and Thanchi areas of Bandarban district. Bangladesh armed forces sent them to jail on 9 April 2024.

On April 7, the police arrested a young woman and two young men of Bawm community from Reicha army check post of Bandarban Sadar Upazila. Later it was reported that they were involved in a robbery case. They too are known to be innocent and returning from Dhaka to Bandarban.

Among the detainees, 18 are women, 2 are pregnant woman, 8 are college or university students and others are teachers, government and non-government employees, planters, laborers and people of various professions.

Bangladesh armed forces are preventing the indigenous people from buying more than 5 kg of rice. The Bawm villagers of Munnoam Para, Bethel Para, Happyhill Para, Bachtlang Para, Artha Para etc. had already fled the villages due to the fear of persecution and harassment during the army operation.

On April 2, around 9 pm, an armed group of 13 KNF led by Jaorin Lusai (42) robbed Sonali Bank at Ruma Upazila. The KNF robbed about Tk 16.0 million and snatched 14 weapons and 415 rounds of ammunition from the security guards and abducted the bank manager.

The next day, on April 3, around 12 noon, another armed group of KNF attacked Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban district and robbed Tk 1.9 million. Many believe that there is a conspiracy by the Bangladesh Army and the DGFI (Directorate General of Field Intelligence) in such a successful robbery of the bank located between the police and BGB camps in broad daylights.

Immediately after the robbery, the joint forces of the government started a massive military operation in the Bandarban area from April 7. The joint force includes personnel from the Bangladesh army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Police, Ansar and various intelligence agencies.

The identities of the victims of mass arrests by joint forces from Ruma area and three innocent men and women caught at the Reicha check post are as following:

1. Azing Bawm (20), wife of Arinh Bawm, daughter of Jingrowat Bawm and Halcheo Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar Union Parishad, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter by profession.
2. Lalsing Par Bawm (30), wife of Alim Bawm, daughter of Lian Juam Bom and Par Eng Moy Bawm, Village Bethel Para, Ward No. 2, Ruma Sadar Union Parishad, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter by profession.
3. Van Rin Kim Bawm (36), wife of Tolang Pui Bawm, daughter of Joam Bil Bawm and Thon Liang Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 2, Ruma Sadar Union Parishad, Ruma, Bandarban, Planter by Occupation.
4. Atang Bawm (30), w/o Palen Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
5. Almon Bawm (22), d/o Sian Khup Bawm, Mother- Rial Nem Bawm, Address- Bethel Para, Ward No. 2, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. She is a student of degree 2nd year, Bandarban Government College.
6. Lal Moon Eng Bawm (19), Father’s name- Tannai Bawm, Mother’s name- Laldon Kim Bawm, Village Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
7. Lal Nun Jir Bawm (34), father’s name- late Punsang Bawm, mother’s name- Tyan Kil Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter by profession.
8. Melri Bawm (26), Father’s name- Jingalh Bom, Mother’s name- Mrita Pakting Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
9. Lal Nun Bawm (24), Father’s name- Lom Jual Bawm, Mother’s name- Sangkim Bawm, Village Bethel Para, Ward No. 2, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. She is known to be pregnant.
10. Name Pen Bawm (38), w/o- Sanglian Bom, Father’s name- Toar Thon Bawm, Mother’s name- Lal Jin Moy Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter by profession.
11. Elizabeth Bawm (30), w/o Bhanlal Dik Bawm, Father’s name- Eliathan Bawm, Mother’s name- Nankim Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is assistant teacher by profession, Pendu Hedman Para Government Primary School. She is known to be 4 months pregnant.
12. Lal Tlahkim Bawm (30), Father’s name- Laltan Lian Bawm, Mother’s name- Cheutwar Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. She is working in Hill Child Development Program in Ruma.
13. Partha Joal Bawm (19), Father’s name- Laltan Lian Bawm, Mother’s name- Cheo Toar Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. She is a student of WCA college in Dhaka.
14. Jing Ron Eng Bawm (32), father’s name- late Chamnin Eng Bom, mother’s name- Tin Eng Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter and day laborer by profession.
15. Lal Noon Kim Bawm (25), Father’s name- Laltan Lian Bawm, Mother’s name- Cheo Toar Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. She is a student of BA 2nd year, Bandarban Government College.
16. Tina Bawm (18), Father’s name- Lal Ruai Bawm, Mother’s name- Jingnoon Moy Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. She is a student of grade XI, St. Joseph’s College, Savar, Dhaka.
17. Leri Bawm (23), Father’s name- Lallam Sang Bawm, Mother’s name- Lalpar Moy Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
18. Shiuli Bawm (21), Father’s name- Hlang Khum Bawm, Mother’s name- Dangjing Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.

The arrested male villagers were-

1. Saplion Thang Bawm (21), Father’s name- Lal Moon Sang Bawm, Mother’s name- Thwang Kim Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is an electrician by profession, Ruma Palli Bidyut.
2. Lal Rin Sang Bawm (25), Father’s name- Nalthan Bawm, Mother’s name- Dausim Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
3. Cyrus Bawm (25), Father’s name- Santhiang Bawm, Mother’s name- Lal Minnem Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar No. 2 UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
4. Moon Thang Lian Bawm (33), father’s name- late Cham Nin Bawm, mother’s name- Tin Eng Bawm, Village-Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a tourist guide by profession, Ruma.
5. Pachung Bawm (44), Father’s name- San Thiang Bawm, Mother’s name- late Ronjing Bawm, Address- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter by profession.
6. Bhan Lal Dik Bawm (32), Father’s name- Lal Lung Thang Bawm, Mother’s name- Lal Noon Siam Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a private teacher.
7. Jasua Bawm (42), Father’s name- Lal Moon Sang Bawm, Mother’s name- Thuang King Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is Shaw Mill worker by profession, Polly Shaw Mill, Ruma.
8. Bharau Sang Bawm (32), Father’s name- Rem Near Bawm, Mother’s name- Bil Thim Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a village policeman by profession, Ruma.
9. Nalathon Bawm (55), Father’s name- Sangsing Bawm, Mother’s naem- Tuar Thuang Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is an electrician by profession.
10. Lal Sklang King Bawm (29), Father’s name- Lalmin Lian Bawm, Mother’s name- Pena Klear Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
11. Lian Luai Thang Bawm (24), Father’s name- late Sai Young Bawm, Mother’s name- Sem Jeer Bawm, Village- Bastang Para, Ward No. 7, Paindu UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a student of Shanta Mariam University, Uttara, Dhaka.
12. Lal Ram Tiyam Bawm (44), Father’s name- Simthan Bom, Mother’s name- Rausum Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is Acting Head Teacher, Baktlai Para Government Primary School by profession.
13. Laldam Liam Bawm (36), Father’s name- Jalian Lal Bawm, Mother’s name- Rial Nem Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is Night Watchman by profession, Directorate of Family Planning, Ruma.
14. Lawm Jual Bawm (50), s/o late Sang Khan Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Gardener by profession.
15. Ram Thang Lian Bawm (17), Father’s name- Jing Sang Bawm, Mother’s name- Jir Bling Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a student of grade XII, Notre Dame College, Dhaka.
16. Gilbert Bawm (17), Father’s name- Lal Ram Lian Bawm, Mother’s name- Lal Duh Sar Bawm, Village- Basatlang Para, Ward No. 7, Paindu UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a student of grade XI, Kazi Azimuddin College, Gazipur, Dhaka.
17. Bhan Ruat Moy Bawm (23), Father’s name- Lal Tuar Bawm, Mothers’ name- Sim Ting Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is an employee, Directorate of Livestock, Ruma.
18. Lal Emmanuel Bawm (43), Father’s name- Jing Al Bawm, Mother’s name- Tham Flamir Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is an employee, Hill Child Development Programme, Ruma.
19. Lalmun Lian Bawm (28), Father’s name- Lal Than Kum Bawm, Mother’s name- Lal Jing Ngen Bawm, Address- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban.
20. Lal Thang Pui Bawm (19), father’s name- late Lal Moi Thang Bom, mother’s name- Lal Siam Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is student of HSC examinee, Ruma Sangu College.
21. James Milton Bawm (34), Father’s name- Kong Klear Bawm, Mother’s name- Pak Tlem Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is the office bearer, Bethel Para Government Primary School, Ruma.
22. Rosang Lian Bawm (30), Father’s name- Biak Thon Bawm, Mother’s name- Siam Kung Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is an employee, BRAC, Ruma.
23. Lal Rawat Lam Bawm (45), Father’s name- Ram Sim Bawm, Mother’s name- Juam Thilong Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a Pastor, ECC Church, Ruma.
24. Lal Din Thar Bawm (40), Father’s name – Dong Nin Bawm, Mother’s name – Ngon Phen Bawm, Village – Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is the leader of the Sramik League, Ruma, an affiliate of the government party.
25. Jaunun Sang Bawm (45), Father’s name- Cheo Dir Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is an accountant by profession, Chittagong Hill Tracts Child Development Programme, Munnuam, Ruma.
26. Rem Thon Bawm (60), Father’s name- Ang Cheo Bawm, Mother’s name- Siam Jing Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter by profession.
27. Penal Bawm (60), Father’s name- late Chaytim Bawm, Mother’s name- Til Thong Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a planter by profession, a day labourer.
28. Rual Kom Lian Bawm (55), Father’s name- Sapyang Bawm, Mother’s name- Mrit Ngoon Cheo Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Warn No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP. He is a Government Servant by Profession, Directorate of Family Planning, Ruma.
29. Lal Raokham Bawm (37), Father’s name- Lal Ja Lian Bawm, Mother’s name- Eli Jeboth Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. He is a planter and Jum farmer by profession.
30. Bhan Lal Sam Bawm (34), Father’s name- Rem Near Bawm, Mother’s name- Kil Sim Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Motorcycle driver for hire by profession.
31. Lal Ruai Bawm (52), Father’s name- San Thiang Bawm, Village- Bethel Para, Ward No. 4, Ruma Sadar UP, Ruma, Bandarban. Planter and day laborer by profession.

Those arrested at Reicha check post on the way back from Dhaka to Bandarban were-

1. Geminiu Bawm (22), Village- Simtlangpi Para, Thanchi Upazila,
2. Bhannun Nuam Bawm (23), Ronin Para, Rowangchari Upazila and
3. Ame Loncheo Bawm (22), Village- Simtlangpi Para, Thanchi Upazila.

Sources: