Huge protest by Chakmas in Delhi against killings in Bangladesh

The Protest

The members of Chakma ethnic community living in Delhi held a huge peaceful protest demonstration in front of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi from 11 AM to 3 PM on 25 February 2010 to protest against the attacks on Chakmas and other indigenous Jummas in CHT, Bangladesh.

Over 300 Chakmas including Buddhist monks, students, professionals, and housewives participated in the February 25th protest at Jantar Mantar.

The Chakma leaders submitted a Memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh seeking his immediate intervention to:

1. Make a public statement expressing concern about the attacks on the tribal peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and take all necessary measures to bring an end to the violence with full respect for the principles of equality and non-discrimination;
2. Urge the government of Bangaldesh to fully implement the CHT Peace Accord; and
3. Provide a package for implementation of the CHT Peace Accord to ensure that both the communities can live in harmony

  

Why the protest?

Since 19 February 2010, the Bangladesh Army and the illegal Bengali settlers have been attacking the indigenous Jummas peoples in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts, CHT, Bangladesh in order to grab their lands.

Over a dozen indigenous Jummas, mainly Chakmas have been killed.

Over 400 houses of Jummas (indigenous peoples in CHT) burnt down.

The illegal Bengali settlers and the Bangladesh Army personnel also attacked religious institutions and burnt down a Buddhist temple and a Church in CHT. In addition, a UNDP-managed health centre was razed to the ground.

Over 100 indigenous tribals have been arrested, some of them from government hospital where they went to receive treatment for bullet wounds. 

UPDATE: UN’s silence is a "serious concern", says Asian Centre for Human Rights, New Delhi. Read: http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=51763&typeid=1

Massacre of Jummas in Bangladesh: Protest to be held in Delhi

Since 19 February 2010, the Bangladesh Army and the Bengali settlers have burnt down over 300 houses belonging to indigenous peoples (Jummas), mainly of Chakma tribe, dozens have been killed in indiscriminate firings and dozens others are still missing. Over 15 Jumma villages have been burnt down. The victims are all Jummas. Those killed included Chakmas, Mizos, Mogs etc. However, only seven Chakma victims have been identified so far. It is important to note that Jummas in CHT consist of 12 major tribes, including Chakmas and Mizos.

One Buddhist Temple, one Church and one United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-run health centre have been burnt to ashes by the Bengali settlers and the Bangladesh Army.

Over 1500 Jummas have been displaced and living either in forests or under the open sky as no relief and rehabilitation has been provided to the displaced persons.

Curfew has been clamped down and the Bangladesh Army has prevented any independent observers such as human rights activists and journalists from the visiting the affected areas. This is to hide the truth from the outside world. Journalists trying to cover the attacks have been assualted. On the other hand, the illegal Bengali settlers are moving freely under the protection of the army to attack the Jumma peopels.

The Bangladesh security forces have been arresting the Jummas, including those who have gone to the government hospitals for receiving treatment of bullet wounds. This is horrific and inhuman. Yet, there is no protest from the government of India for massacre of religious minorities in Bangladesh, although the government of India has been quick, quite rightly, to condemn the killing of two Sikhs by Talibans in Pakistan. Worst, no mainstream newspapers/ news media in India has reported the wanton killings and attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh, although the killing of two Sikhs continued to grab the headlines in all national dailies.

The New Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights (http://www.achrweb.org/) has brought out a report titled, "Bangladesh: IPs massacred for Land Grab" which is available at http://www.achrweb.org/reports/bangla/CHT012010.pdf


The attacks have spread further to Kagrachhari district. The Jumma villages are still burning. Read, http://www.achrweb.org/press/2010/BD03-2010.html

Protest demonstration in Delhi tomorrow:

To protest agaisnt the barbaric massacre of Jummas in Bangladesh and attacks on minority religious institutions, the Chakmas have planned to organize a protest rally tomorrow, 25 February 2010 at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.

The detailed informations will be available later today....

If any body wants to participate, they are most welcome.