This indigenous boy was murdered by the members of the Bangladesh Army in a rampage against the Jumma village Sarbojiya, at Panchari on 22 April 1986.

There had been numerous unlawful killings of the Jumma people by the Bangladesh armed forces and the settlers in the CHT. The following information is just a small fraction of the Bangladesh Government organised racial violence committed against the Jumma people of the CHT.

19 August 2008

Around 10 pm, a group of Muslim settlers led by Jahar Ali attacked Ladu Moni Chakma (45) of Gangaram Mukh of Sajek union under Baghaichari sub-district. Ladu Moni Chakma was chopped to death in the attack. Muslim settlers encircled the house of Ladu Moni Chakma and then chopped Ladu Moni Chakma and his wife Shanti Bala Chakma (35) in front of the house. Ladu Moni Chakma was killed on the spot while his wife Shanti Bala Chakma was severely injured and admitted at Khagrachari Hospital.

Mr. Chakma’s dead body was recovered in the morning 20 August from a place barely 50 yards from Bangladesh army camp at Gangaram Doar. The army immediately seized the dead body and sent it to Khagrachari Hospital. Bangladesh army had cordoned off the hospital, and indigenous people were not allowed to enter it. Some of the Muslim settlers had been identified as Mohammad Ali (28), Dulal (24) and Mohammed Noor Alam 24.

7 July 2008

Bangladesh army personnel from Merangchara army camp of Digholchari zone picked up Niranjan Chakma from his home in the village of Nareychari under Kangarachari Union. Army took him to the camp and tortured him to death. His dead body was returned to his family members on 9 July. The Digholchari zone is commanded by Lt. Col. Sayed Mohmmed Assaduzzaman and his second-in-command, Fakruddin.

3 August 2004

Muslim settlers from Kalabanya of Aimachara Union under Bakal sub-district slain an indigenous couple of Dhandachara village of Bhushanchara Union under Barkal Thana in Rangamati hill district. At around 11 p.m. over 50 Muslim settlers led by Shuhidul (30), Ibrahim (37), Imdad (37) and Union Parishad member Tamir Ali committed a brutal attack on Mr. Barun Kumar Chakma (33) and his family members with sharp knives and spears. Mr. Chakma died on the spot. Next day on 4 August, around 11 a.m. Ms. Subarna Chakma and her son were brought to Rangamati about 50 miles away from the victims’ village and admitted to the Rangamati sadar hospital with serious injuries. After 4 hours of their admission to the hospital, Ms. Subarna died, and Kampan Chakma was sent to the Chittagong Medical College hospital.Ms. Subarna Chakma was slain on her head, throat, back, legs and hands, while her son was chopped of at his right leg. Soon after the incident, some indigenous villagers informed the authorities of the nearest Bumpy Land BDR camp of the tragedy. But the authorities remained silent! It is worth mentioning that Dina Mohan Chakma, father of the slain Barun Kumar Chakma was also killed by the Muslim settlers at Bhushanchara in 1984. The perpetrators were never brought to justice. Images of slained family

17 April 2004

At night a group of Muslim settlers led by Salam, a UP member, killed Shanti Ranjan Chakma (45) of Toichakmamukh Para village of Naniarchar upazila. The victim was caught and killed at Kukurmara village near Islampur settlers’ village. His dead body was found at the lake area near Naniarchar. Victim’s son Papul Chakma filed a case with Naniarchar police station against 5 Muslim settlers in connection with this killing.

4 May 2000

A cow was stolen from the Muslim settlers at Battali in Baghaichari. The Muslim settlers summoned Mr. Milan Kanti Chakma from Mostafa Colony of Battali to help find the thief. However after reaching at their village the Muslim settlers falsely accused him of stealing the cow and indiscriminately beat him. As a consequence, he died.

25 March 2000

Mongsha Thowai Marma, a returnee JSS member of Padachara, Matiranga, died at Khagrachari hospital. He was beaten to death by the army of Kalapanya army camp under Guimara artilary brigade. On 23 March 2000, at night, a group of army personnel went to his home and forcibly took him and his father away for interrogation. Next day they were handed over to the police of Guimara with serious injuries and later were sent to Khagrachari hospital where he died.

22 April 1999

The United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) had the permission of the district authorities to organise a meeting at Khagrachari town on 22 April 1999 to demand autonomy for the CHT. So, hundreds of Jummas particularly students converged on the town to attend the meeting in order to back the autonomy demand. But the Police, cancelled the meeting at the last moment and barricaded the routes leading to the meeting point in 3 areas, i) Stadium, ii) Khagrapur and iii) Zero Mile. When the Jummas arrived at those barricaded areas, they were naturally taken aback by the sinister motive of the Bangladesh Government to suppress the Jumma autonomy movement in blatant violation of both the freedom of press and the freedom of association. Undaunted by the Police threat, the Jummas protested against the undemocratic act of the Bangladesh Government and asked the Police to remove the barricades. In response, the trigger happy Muslim Police fired tear gas shells on them and indiscriminately shot at them. As a result, 2 Jummas died on the spot, at least 150 were seriously injured many of whom were treated at Khagrachari Hospital, and scores were arrested and imprisoned. The two Jumma martyrs are i) Mr. Subas Chakma (19), the son of Mr. Ananda Chakma of Golakpatima Chara, Panchari, Khagrachari; ii) Mr. Suromoni Chakma (21), the son of Mr. Fagun Chan Chakma of Kutukchari;

8 February 1999

Two members of the UPDF i) Mrinal Kanti Chakma, the son of Mr. Chamkhula Chakma of Shankhola Para, Dighinala and ii) Mr. Anandamoy Chakma, the son of Mr. Satya Kumar Chakma of Jarulchari, Dighinala were campaigning for the UPDF at Ranasabha Karbari Para, Kabakhali, Dighinala, Khagrachari District. At that time, some masked men of the Bangladesh Army hit squad abducted them at gun point, took them to the nearby Bibachara forest in Kabakhali area, and killed them.

3 February 1999

The members of the undercover murder squad of the Bangladesh Army kidnapped and murdered i) Mr. Harendra Chakma and ii) Mr. Hurikka Chakma of Gamaridhala, Khagrachari while they were campaigning on behalf of the United Peoples' Democratic Front (UPDF) in Thakurchara, Khagrachari. Their bodies were recovered from the forest near Alutila village in Khagrachari on 12 February 1999.

29 December 1998

The secret assassins of the Bangladesh Army fired on a member of the JSS, Mr. Kanti Chakma, the son of Mr. Prabhat Chakma at Baradom, Dighinala and left him for dead. He was so seriously wounded that he had to be sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment.

26 November 1998

The undercover agents of the Bangladesh Army shot dead Mr. Kamini Mohan Chakma, the son of Mr. Bhubanjoy Chakma of Munigram, Khagrachari at his home because he was a loyal and active member of the JSS.

15 July 1998

Some members of the masked hit squad of the Bangladesh Army kidnapped at gun point 2 members of the Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) i) Mr. Sagarmoy Chakma and ii) Mr. Sashi Bhusan Chakma of Perachara, Khagrachari, from a site near the home of the Headman of Perachara Mouza. They killed Mr. Sagarmoy Chakma because he refused to resign from JSS and then threw his body into the Chengi river. On 22 July 1998, his body was found in the Chengi river near Mahalchari. The kidnappers, however, released Mr. Sashi Bhusan Chakma on condition that he must not support the JSS any longer.

21 June 1998

Some Jummas were returning to Rangamati from Chittagong by bus via Manikchari. When the bus (No. 040199) arrived at Manikchari, the Muslim settlers removed two Jumma youths and one Jumma woman from the bus, severely beat them up and hacked them to death under the very nose of the Police. While the killing of 3 Jummas was going on, the other seven Jumma passengers managed to flee from the bus. Among the 7 Jumma survivors were the following i) Mr. Abhoy Chakma, the son of Mr. Angshu Prakash Chakma of Champaknagar, Rangamati; ii) Mr. Babli Talukdar, the son of Mr. Amyo Prakash Talukdar, Contractor Para, Rangamati; iii) Mr. Bhuridatta Chakma of West Tribal Adam, Rangamati; and iv) Mr. Mong Thingo Marma, a Medical Officer of Rangamati Municipality. The 3 Jumma victims could not be identified at the time of the incident.

29 March 1998

Mr. Kantimoy Chakma, a repatriated Jumma refugee of Gabochari, Rengkarjya Mouza, Dighinala was returning home after collecting a pair of bullocks from the district authorities. The Muslim settlers killed him and took away the bullocks. The Bangladesh Government did not show any interest in this murder.

27 February 1998

At about 8 p.m. three Muslim settlers i) Mohammad Abu Taher ii) Mohammad Yusuf Ali and iii) Mohammad Ayub Ali of Bhanu Kinkar Karbari Para, Bachamorong, Dighinala went to the home of Mr. Shashi Ranjan Chakma, a repatriated Jumma Refugee of the above address, and took him out on the pretext of going to the home of Mr. Bhanu Kinkar Karbari, a member of the local Union Council. As Mr. Chakma did not return home in time, his wife, Mrs. Purna Devi Chakma feared for his safety and informed Mr. Karbari and other villagers about the incident. Having found no trace of him, she filed a case against the 3 Muslim settlers. Three days later his body was found. Perhaps, it is important to note that while Mr. Chakma fled to Tripura, India, Mohammad Yusuf Ali in collusion with the Bangladesh army and the district authorities illegally occupied his agricultural land. After repatriation, Mr. Chakma demanded his land but the Muslim settlers refused to vacate it. There is no doubt that the 3 Muslim settlers killed him in order to steal his land. The Bangladesh Government have not taken any actions against the 3 Muslim settlers.

31 March 1996

Mr. Kyajai Marma (20), the son of Ulah Marma of Pankhiapara, Khagrachari was shot dead by the members of Armed Police Battalion. The incident occurred when the HSC (Hill Student Council) and HPC (Hill Peoples Council) activists were protesting the arrest of Mr. Cha Thwai Prue Marma. He was arrested on 30 March, 1996, when he was going to Khagrachari bazaar to participate in the victory procession organised by Awami League after the fall of Khaleda Zia government. After the incident of 31st March, a mourning procession carrying the dead body paraded main roads of Khagrachari town which came under police attack at Shapla Chattar. The police indiscriminately charged baton and snatched the corpse away. The unprovocative police action left more than 50 persons injured, three of them seriously. Police arrested two Jummas i) Shubhashish Chakma and ii) Banga Bap. The seriously injured are i) Mr. Sonamoni. Chakma (20) son of Anil Bihari Chakma, ii) Nikhel Chakma (19) son of Bijoy Kumar Chakma and iii) Sanjit Chakma (13) son of Surendria Chakma. 7-10 March 1996 The PPSPC men and the Police jointly attacked the home of HPC activist Mr. Bimbisar Khisa, at Perachara, Khagrachari. At that time, he was away. Having failed to find him, the attackers tried to kidnap his wife and children in revenge. When the kidnappers began to tie the hands of Mrs. Chakma and her children, the victims were very much frightened and they started to cry loudly. Having heard their cries, many villagers came to their rescue and prevented the kidnappers from taking Mrs. Chakma and her children away by surrounding them and blocking all the routes. Then, the Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on the Jumma villagers, but failed to disperse them. Thereafter, the Police used real bullets killing Mr. Amar Bikash Chakma (20), the son of Mr. Chitta Ranjan Chakma, on the spot and seriously injuring several Jummas. Still, the brave Jumma villagers refused to be dispersed. A few hours later, the army men came to rescue the Police and PPSPC abductors, put the body of Mr. Amar Bikash Chakma in a military vehicle and left behind Mrs. Chakma and her children. In the days that followed, the HSC, HPC, HWF (Hill Women Federation) and the local Jumma villagers demonstrated in Khagrachari to protest the PPSPC and Police terrorism and demanded the return of Mr. Amar Bikash Chakma's body. As a consequence, the Bangladesh Army was compelled to release the body of the deceased to his father on March 10, 1996.

7 March 1996

Bangladesh Police shot dead Amar Bikash Chakma at Naranghia, Khagrachari.

14 December 1995

Capt. Shahriar and his army troops from Baklai Camp attacked a group of Shanti Bahini, who were adhering to the terms and conditions of the ceasefire agreement, near Dulachan Murung Para of Remakri, Thanchi, shot dead Mr. Dipak Chakma, injured Mr. Promise Chakma on his leg, captured one G-3 gun and took away the body of Mr. Dipak Chakma in order to cover up the cold blooded murder.

5 December 1995

The army personnel of Ramgarh Camp of the Matiranga Military Zone made an unprovoked attack on a group of the JSS tax collectors near Gaiyabamara Para, Ramgarh and shot dead one of the tax collectors, Mr. Parba Tripura. While withdrawing from the spot in haste, the remaining tax collectors had to leave behind their bags, one 7.62 SLR rifle, one country made gun and cash Taka 120,000. Having not been able to capture the JSS tax collectors alive, the army personnel took reprisal against the Jumma villagers by severely torturing an innocent couple i) Mr. Bala Bap Chakma (45) and ii) Mrs. Bala Ma (40) of Gaiyabamara Para, Ramgarh.

4 October 1995

Maj. Mojaffar and his military personnel of the No. 1 Bangladesh Army Battalion from Hazachara Camp under the jurisdiction of Baghaichari Upazilla within Rangamati District ambushed in the dense forest of Machalong a group of Shanti Bahini members who were observing ceasefire agreement. As a result, one of the Shanti Bahini members was hit and seriously injured. He was captured and taken to the Army Camp where he died without medical treatment. On October 5 1995, his body was handed over to the Police of Baghaichari Police Station, who in turn sent it to Khagrachari via Baghaihat. But nobody knows where the body had been concealed.

2 September 1995

The PPSPC collaborators kidnapped Mr. Ripon Dewan alias Kalo Muni, the son of Mr. Bibha Basu Dewan of Khabongpariya, Khagrachari from Panchari-Khagrachari Road near Khabongpariya at about 2200 hours, and murdered him.

30 August 1995

Lt. Col. Bari and his troops of the Lakshmichari Military Zone conducted a massive combing operation in the areas of Durchari, Banarkata, Gungeichari, Toichangma and Betchari within Khagrachari District. They opened fire indiscriminately on the Jumma villagers, tortured the Jumma villagers en masse, and looted houses. In the indiscriminate firing, Mrs. Bichingi Chakma 22 and her 1 and half year old baby were seriously injured. She and her baby were taken to the Bangladesh Military Hospital in Chittagong. Their fate was not known when this report was written.

18 April 1993

Nitish Chakma, a student from Rangunia College, was shot dead by a member of the Village Defence Party(VDP) at Mahalchari. That day he had gone with some other students to the Power Development Board (PDB) to complain about not getting electricity supply during their examination period, despite having paid and despite earlier promises by the authorities. While having a hot discussion with the authorities, two VDP guards fired and killed Nitish Chakma.

12 August 1993

Ms. Tipati Chakma and Ms. Nagari Chakma from Pilaak Para, were kidnapped by soldiers of the 8th Batallion (Engineering) of Guimara.They have not been seen or heard of since.

6 December 1993

Bilas Chandra Chakma, Hokkiya Udda Chakma and Nak Kala Chakma from Naiarchar were taken to Baghaichari army camp, by Lance Nayak Selim. Despite investigation by their relatives their whereabouts are unknown.

10 April 1992

Mayang Marma of Gargajya chari, Mahalchari upazilla, Khagrachari District, was killed by an army officer of 26th East Bengal Regiment from Bazarpara army camp, Manikchari Zone. The local newspaper reported that he had been killed by the Shanti Bahini.

27 April 1992

Sadhulal Chakma (18 years old) was shot dead by Major Mijan of Ultachari camp, Khagrachari District, while herding cows. His father was forced to sign a written statement that the boy was killed by the Shanti Bahini.

30 May 1992

Seven Jumma people were killed and a Buddhist monk was seriously injured; 40 houses were burnt down by the Bangladeshi settlers in collaboration widt the security forces, in Dhalupara, Kawkhali upazilla, Rangamati District. In a dispute over land between two rival groups of settlers, one settler had been killed by the rival group. Settlers then spread the rumour that the person had been killed by the Shanti Bahini, which resulted in attack on the Jumma people by the settlers and security forces.

15 June 1992

The Shanti Bahini attacked a military patrol and one member of the security forces was wounded. In reprisal attack led by Lieut. Col. Shahabuddin on Babuchara cluster village, Amar Kanti Chakma who was unable to escape, was arrested and beaten to death. The local newspaper reported that he had been killed by the Shanti Bahini.

10 May 1991

At night army personnel of 5th East Bengal Regiment headed by Lt. Colonel Delowar Hossain and Lt. Anis raided Mitingachari village (Kaokhali Upazilla in Rangamati district) in search of the Shanti Bahini. The villagers were abused and beaten, and some houses were destroyed. Seventeen people were arrested and taken to Ghagra zonal headquarters where they were severely beaten. The next day 15 people were released. The two remaining people were Kashi Ram Chakma, (39, son of Braja Mohan Chakma), and Padma Banshi Chakma (37, son of Suratya Chakma). On 13 May the mutilated body of Kashi Ram Chakma was handed over to his family by the army. The family was given some money for the cremation by the army, and they were told to say that he had been killed by the Shanti Bahini. The whereabouts of Padma Banshi Chakma is not known.

22 June 1991

Tushar Kanti Chakma (30, son of Eoiragya Chakma), village Shikal Para, Naniachaar, Rangamati District, was arrested from his house during an army operation led by Major Ahsan of Ghilachari army camp. He was tortured and both his thighs and one hand were broken. He died as a result of these injuries. His dead body was left on the Chowdhurychara-Shilachari road and six or seven rounds of bullets were fired into it. The next day the body was handed over to his relatives and the army explained his death as an attempt to escape.

5 March 1979

Two students, Samiran Talukder and Alomoy Talukder and a farmer, RalIwa Chakma, all aged 16, were arrested in the village of Gargajyachari and hacked to pieces by the Bangladeshi troops.

2 April 1979

Captain Abul Kalam Mahmud (also responsible for the massacre at Kaokhali on 25 March 1980) led a raid on the village of Kunungopara razing it to the ground: Sindhu Kumar Chakma, Arun Kanti Chakma, Anabil Chakma and others of the same family were shot dead and their bodies burned in the presence of surviving members of the family.

23 December 1979

Two Buddhist monks Venerable Ajara Bhikkhu and Venerable Bannitananda Bhikkhu were murdered by the members of the Bangladesh Army at the village of Thakujyammakalak. They attacked the village in the early hours in search of the Shanti Bahini guerillas, and unable to find members of the Shanti Bahini they beat and tortured the villagers, altogether 7 Jummas were killed in the attack.

30 December 1977

The village of Kukichara was attacked; the homes of Shanti Lal Chakma, Nathu Chandra Chakma and Sukra Moni Chakma were burned down and 12 members of Chandra Chakma's family were killed; Shanti Lal Chakma was critically wounded and Sukra Moni Chakma suffered severe injuries.

Sources:

1. The life is not ours: the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commiission
2. The Charge of Genocide: Organizing Committee of the CHT Campaign, 1986
3. Unlawful Killings and Torture in the CHT: Amnesty International, 1986
4. The Chittagong Hill Tracts: Militarisation, Oppression and Hill Tribes, 1984
5. Jana Samhati Samiti Report