Another land commission for indigenous people mulled

The government is thinking about forming a separate land commission to settle land disputes of indigenous people who do not reside in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzaque yesterday said the prime minister is considering the land commission.

"Settling their land disputes was an election manifesto of Awami League. To implement it, either a separate land commission will be formed or the CHT Land Commission will be entrusted with additional responsibilities," he said.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116445

The Chittagong Hill Tracts: a case study in the political economy of 'creeping' genocide

The destruction of indigenous, tribal peoples in remote and/or frontier regions of the developing world is often assumed to be the outcome of inexorable, even inevitable forces of progress . People are not so much killed, they become extinct. Terms such as ethnocide, cultural genocide or developmental genocide suggest a distinct form of 'off the map' elimination which implicitly discourages comparison with other acknowledged examples of genocide. By concentrating on a little-known case study, that of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh, this article argues that this sort of categorisation is misplaced. Not only is the destruction or attempted destruction of fourth world peoples central to the pattern of contemporary genocide but, by examining such specific examples, we can more clearly delineate the phenomenon's more general wellsprings and processes. The example of the CHT does have its own peculiar features; not least what has been termed here its 'creeping' nature. In other respects, however, the efforts of a new nation-state to overcome its structural weaknesses by attempting a forcedpace consolidation and settlement of its one, allegedly, unoccupied resource-rich frontier region closely mirrors other state-building, developmental agendas which have been confronted with communal resistance. The ensuing crisis of state-communal relations, however, cannot be viewed in national isolation. Bangladesh's drive to develop the CHT has not only been funded by Western finance and aid but is closely linked to its efforts to integrate itself rapidly into a Western dominated and regulated international system. It is in these efforts 'to realise what is actually unrealisable' that the relationship between a flawed state power and genocide can be located. >more> http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a713700879

Primates of Bangladesh: A preliminary survey of population and habitat

The distribution and abundance of non-human primates in Bangladesh is presented. Roadside and forest surveys were conducted throughou the alluvial floodplains and hill regions of Sylhet, Chittagong, and Cox's Bazar. In forests, walking and vehicle transects were used to census primates. The ecology and status of major habitat types are discussed. Forest primate populations are evaluated according to habitat classification. I estimate a minimum of 140, 000 non-human primates in Bangladesh. Factors contributing to this low population are discussed.>more> http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V5X-48XKDCH-1N0&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=726a8aecfdb99db11d00770ba43a2a32

BANGLADESH: COUNTRY CELEBRATES 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMARK PEACE DEAL

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec 2 (NNN-BSS) — The country today celebrated the 12th anniversary of a landmark peace accord that had ended more than two decades of tribal insurgency when an estimated 20,000 people were killed and thousands were forced to take refuge in neighbouring India.

The government, political, social and cultural groups and non-government organizations undertook a series of programme to mark the anniversary as rallies and colourful street marches beating traditional tribal drums featured the celebration in the rugged hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.>more> http://world.brunei.fm/2009/12/02/bangladesh-country-celebrates-12th-anniversary-of-landmark-peace-deal/

Calls renewed for CHT roadmap; muted warnings

Rangamati Dec 2 (bdnews24.com)—Calls were renewed for a detailed roadmap to execute all provisions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, with muted warnings against further delay, as the 12th anniversary of the signing was observed Wednesday.

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Shanghati Samity, marking the anniversary in the hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban, called upon supporters of the accord to unite in a "tougher movement" for its full implementation. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=148120&cid=2

Govt to fully implement CHT accord

The government is eager to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed has said.

On December 2, 1997, the previous Awami League government led by the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina signed the peace accord with Parbatya Chattagram Jano Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) leader Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, also known as Santu Larma, ending an over two-decade-old insurgency.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116056

Mutiny charges read out to 9

On the second day of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny trial, the prosecution yesterday produced all nine accused soldiers of the 12th Rifles Battalion of Rangamati sector before the three-member special court headed by the BDR director general.

The proceedings began at 9:30am in a makeshift courtroom in the mechanical transport shed of the Rangamati sector headquarters of the paramilitary force.

Former commander of the 12th battalion, Lt Col Md Habibul Karim, on behalf of the prosecution, read out the complaints against the nine alleged mutineers who were standing in the dock.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=115591

Bangladesh celebrates 12th anniversary of peace deal for hills

Bangladesh on Wednesday celebrated the 12th anniversary of a landmark peace deal that ended more than two decades of tribal insurgency which claimed around 20,000 lives and forced thousands of people to take refuge in neighbouring India.

The government, political, social and cultural groups undertook a series of programmes to mark the anniversary as rallies and colourful street marches beating traditional tribal drums featured the celebration in the rugged hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.>more> http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Bangladesh-celebrates-12th-anniversary-of-peace-deal-for-hills/548989

Hopes high to finish the remaining task

Political as well as civil society leaders of indigenous communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have demanded a specific roadmap from the government for full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.

Resenting 'non-implementation' of the peace agreement in the past decade, they also expressed dissatisfaction about slow pace of implementation of the peace pact during the current Awami League-led grand alliance government.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=115970

12 years after CHT accord, 'still no roadmap'

Rangamati, Dec 1(bdnews24.com) — Twelve years on from the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, to end decades of insurgency and bring stability to the troubled region, indigenous communities are still calling for a roadmap to its full implementation.

"The fundamental issues of the agreement are yet to be implemented," Santu Larma, chairman of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Shanghati Samity (PCJSS), said Tuesday. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=148048&cid=2

Govt on right track of accord implementation

The government has so far been on the right track in implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord, but the pace of its implementation has to be stepped up, said Workers Party of Bangladesh chief Rashed Khan Menon.

Menon, who was a member of the parliamentary committee on CHT in the fifth parliament, however expressed the hope the incumbent government will fully implement the agreement within its tenure as it is moving to that end. >more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116046

Peace lies in roadmap

Twelve years into signing a peace agreement that ended over two decades of armed struggle by the indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts, the hills people are still dissatisfied over non-implementation of some vital provisions.

After Awami League came to power this year, it immediately took a number of steps to implement the peace accord it had inked to end the conflict with the ethnic people that had started in the 1960s when Kaptai Dam had been built inundating thousands of acres of land of the indigenous communities. >more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116039

CHT Peace Accord Anniversary to be observed tomorrow

Political as well as civil societies and indigenous communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) will observe the 12th anniversary of the peace accord on Wednesday, signed on the day 12 years ago.
To mark the day, CHT Regional Council Chairman and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) chief Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma attended a press briefing at his Rangamati office on Tuesday, reports our Rangamati correspondent. >more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=20868

Underreported Struggles

Only the Bangladesh government can resolve the conflict and bring peace tothe Chittagong Hill Tracts. Neither UN bodies nor the indigenous peoplescan achieve this on their own. Positive change is possible if we continueto express our >more> http://intercontinentalcry.org/underreported-struggles-32-november-2009

ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF THE MURONG TRIBE INHABITING THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract
The Murongs are a tribal community inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. They rely on their own traditional healers, who are experts in medicinal plants for cure of various ailments. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out amongst the Murong tribe to identify their medicinal plants. Interviews of traditional healers were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire as to plant or plant parts used as well as medicinal preparation, diseases, dosage, and side-effects, if any. Plants identified by Murong healers were photographed and herbarium specimens were sent to Bangladesh National Herbarium for complete identification. A total of 50 plants were collected out of which 45 plants belonged to 34 families and five plants remain unidentified. The various ailments claimed to be cured by plant or plant parts include body, joint and rheumatic pains, coughs, colds, tonsillitis, bronchitis, sore throat, fevers, vomiting, tooth problem, edema, abscesses, ear infections, wounds, poisonous insect bites, bone fractures, acidity, diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes, cholera, tetanus, intestinal worms, headache, conjunctivitis, urinary tract disorders, leucorrhea, ringworms, eczema, scabies, fungal infections, gonorrhea, impotency, hepatic disorders, malaria, insanity, and diabetes. Our preliminary data suggest that a number of medicinal plants of the Murong are unique and needs to be scientifically studied for isolation of pharmacologically active constituents or lead compounds. >more> http://journals.sfu.ca/africanem/index.php/ajtcam/article/viewArticle/890

Causes on Facebook: Support the Jummas of Chittagong Hill Tracts

By Tandra Chakma

The majority of Bangladesh’s 143.3 million people are Bengalis, and approximately 2.5 million are Indigenous Peoples belonging to 45 different ethnic groups. These peoples are concentrated in the north, and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the south-east of the country. In the CHT, the Indigenous Peoples are commonly known as Jummas for their common practice of swidden cultivation (crop rotation agriculture) locally known as jum. > more> http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2965771771803317542

B A N G L A D E S H :PLANNED ETHNOCIDE OF MINORITY NATIONALITIES IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

Bangladesh Peoples Democratic Movement (UK)The Chittagong Hill Tracts is situated between 21deg.
25' and 23deg.
north latitude and between 90deg.
45' east longitude.
It has a total land area of 5093 square miles, primarily hilly region, comprising one-tenth of Bangladesh.
The district is bound on the west by Chittagong district; on the south by Burma and on the east by the Arakan Hill Tracts of Burma and the Lushai Hill on north by Tripura State of India. >more> http://rxusmle.com/forums/Residency-and-Match/Hello_Doctor_Human_Happening_PLANNED_ETHNOCIDE_MINORITY_NATIONALITIES_CHITTAGONG_TRACTS_/10/464928

Indigenous practice fights food crisis in CHT

A traditional indigenous practice is being taken up by different communities to fight a food crisis in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.
Continued here:Indigenous practice fights food crisis in CHT
Popularity: 1%>more> http://www.asianews.com.pk/2009/11/indigenous-practice-fights-food-crisis-in-cht/

Free eye service restores poor people's vision

BANDARBAN, Bangladesh : A free medical service held in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) recently has restored sight to some blind and partially sighted people.>more> http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/13980-1-2-Free-eye-service-restores-poor-people-'s-vision

BANGLADESH Free eye service restores poor people's vision

Aung Kyow Ma Marma, 75, was one of the many poor people who benefited from the free "eye camp," jointly organized by Caritas Bangladesh and the Bangladesh National Society for the Blind (BNSB). BNSB is a volunteer organization that provides free eye treatment for the poor.>more> http://www.ucanews.com/2009/11/27/free-eye-service-restores-poor-peoples-vision/