Bangladesh imposes fresh curfew after south-east riots - Summary

Dhaka - Authorities in Bangladesh imposed a fresh night-time curfew in its south-eastern Khagrachhari hill district following riots between rival ethnic groups, officials said. "Night-time curfew between 2200 hours (1600 GMT) Wednesday and 0700 hours (0100 GMT) Thursday will remain in force," chief administrator of the district Mohammad Abdullah, told German Press Agency dpa.
Troops had remained deployed to prevent any trouble, he added.
Soldiers and police earlier launched a crackdown in the Khagrachhari hill district following riots between ethnic minority people and Bengali settlers.
They arrested 55 people allegedly involved in Tuesday's violence, which left at least 15 people injured and several homes torched, additional police chief of the district Amir Jafar said.
"The drive against the criminals is underway, and the ban on all sorts of gatherings remains in force," he said.>more> http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/311048,bangladesh-imposes-fresh-curfew-after-south-east-riots--summary.html

Emergency meet reviews CHT situation

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district asked the concerned officials to deal the affairs related to law and order with iron hands to contain discipline.

The DC gave the directive at an emergency meeting held on Tuesday evening amid continued troubles at places in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

He sought cooperation of officials, political-social leaders and elite to stop recurrence of any unwanted incidents those took place at Baghaihat under Baghaichhari upazila of the district, Khagrachhari and elsewhere in the CHT recently.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/02/25/news0675.htm

Curfew re-imposed in Khagrachhari

KHAGRACHHARI, Feb 24 (UNB): As army troops patrolled the hill-district town to calm ethnic strife, State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku Wednesday urged the indigenous community and Bangalee people to live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts maintaining peaceful coexistence shunning the path of violence.>more> http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=93421

Ethnic Violence Grips Bangladesh

On February 23, Dhaka authority deployed troops in the south-eastern Khagrachhari district (Chittagong Hill Tracts) after clashes between ethnic tribal people and Bengali settlers left at least 15 people injured and several houses torched. Earlier, similar violence took place in Rangamati district on February 19-20.

The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) stated that at least eight Chakmas (one of the indigenous tribes of CHTs) were shot dead by the Bangladesh army personnel while dozens were injured on Feb 19-20. However the government has denied the reports so far.>more> http://asiasecurity.macfound.org/blog/entry/111ethnic_violence_grips_bangladesh1/

New clashes in Bangladesh tribal area

DHAKA — At least 20 people were injured and dozens of houses torched Tuesday in fresh clashes between tribal groups and Bengali settlers in Bangladesh's insurgency-hit southeastern hills, police said.
Two tribespeople have been killed and 30 injured since the violence began Sunday, when troops opened fire on feuding groups of Buddhist tribespeople and opposition-allied Muslim Bengali settlers, according to the official account.>more> http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jmNFZXk0BtIoJ9AV3FsdkiBbTmGw

Curfew slapped on Khagrachhari

The authorities imposed a 10-hour curfew in Khagrachhari town and its surrounding areas from 9:00pm yesterday in the wake of fresh violence between Bangalee settlers and indigenous people in the area that left a Banglaee settler dead.

Around 50 people were injured and 66 houses reduced to ashes during the clashes yesterday that forced the authorities to roll out the army in the afternoon.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=127660

Army deployed in tense Bangladesh tribal region

Bangladesh's army has been sent to the south-eastern Chittagong Hill Tracts following violent clashes between Bengali settlers and tribal people.
Officials say at least 30 people were injured in violence centred around the town of Khagrachari.
At least two people were killed in clashes in other parts of the Hill Tracts over the weekend. One unconfirmed report put the toll higher.>more> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8530309.stm

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/02/24/news0578.htm

Bangladesh's government is again deploying troops to stop fighting between ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Bangladeshi troops were sent to the town of Khagrachhari after 30 people were injured in Tuesday's clashes involving Bengali Muslim settlers and Buddhist tribespeople. Officials say about 100 houses were set ablaze in the fighting>more> http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Bangladesh-Sends-Troops-to-Stop-Ethnic-Clashes--85058617.html

Political parties express concern

Different socio-political organisations yesterday expressed grave concern over the incidents at Gangaram cluster village under Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati hill district on Friday.

They called upon the government to take stern measures to stop recurrence of such incidents and bring the culprits to book.

Expressing deep concern, Moulana Abdur Rakib, President and Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami, general secretary of Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party in a joint statement blamed the government for the incident as it had withdrawn armed forces from the hill tracs. They demanded reestablishment of army camps in the Chittagong Hill Tracts districts.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/02/24/news0578.htm

Fresh violence flares up in Khagrachhari

KHAGRACHHARI, Feb 23 (Agencies): At least 20 houses were set ablaze in two localities in the strike-bound district town amid a clash between indigenous people and Bangalee settlers Tuesday in a fresh flare-up of violence in the hill tracts.

District Administration imposed section 144 on the entire area of Sadar Upazila at 2:00pm to avert further outbreaks in a sequel to Tuesday' s clashes that left over 15 people wounded, including a TV journalist.>more> http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=93334

Chittagong Hill Tracts churches burn

At least four places of worship, including a Protestant church, have been set ablaze following deadly violence between ethnic tribal groups and Bengali settlers in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts that has left at least three dead and 1,500 homeless.

The tribal people say that the army opened fire on them while Bengali settlers set their homes on fire in Gangaram Mukh and Baghaihat areas on Friday and Saturday [Feb. 19 and 20], UCA News reports
>more > http://www.cathnewsasia.com/2010/02/24/chittagong-hill-tracts-churches-burn/

Army deployed in tense Bangladesh tribal region

(BBC)Bangladesh’s army has been sent to the south-eastern Chittagong Hill Tracts following violent clashes between Bengali settlers and tribal people.

Officials say at least 30 people were injured in violence centred around the town of Khagrachari.>more> http://alphacombatgroup.com/?p=1920

Bangladesh burns more tribal villages: Government asked to give access to massacre sites

New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) condemned burning down of more villages of indigenous Chakma and tribal peoples today i.e. 23 February 2010 under Khagrachari district of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs), Bangladesh. Dozens of houses were set on fire at Mahajanpara and Milanpur villages at Khagrachari by the illegal plain settlers with the backing of the Bangladesh Army personnel at the time of issuing this press release. The illegal plain settlers took advantage of a strike called by the United Peoples Democratic Front, a political party of the indigenous Jumma peoples, protesting against the killings of indigenous Jumma people at Sajek Union under Rangamati district on 19-20 February 2010.>more> http://www.achrweb.org/press/2010/BD02-2010.html

Down in dumps

Tears were flooding the eyes of the three, who lost their mother Buddha Bati Chakma in a shooting allegedly by security personnel in Baghaichhari upazila Saturday morning.

Sumita Chakma, 19, her brother Jewel Chakma, 15, and their younger sister Rupna Chakma, 10, passed the last three days with their relatives in Bongaltali, some 15 kilometres away from their burned down house, without any help from the government.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=127548

Ethnic people rally for justice

Tension ran high in Rangamati and Khagrachhari as indigenous people and Bangalee settlers brought out processions and held rallies yesterday blaming each other for Saturday's violence that claimed two lives at a Rangamati village.

Around 7,000 indigenous people, led by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) leaders, marched in procession to the Rangamati deputy commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to the premier through the DC demanding parliamentary enquiry into the incidents.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=127523

Justice to be administered at Baghaichhari :Dipankar

State Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Tal-ukder said that persons responsible for Baghaihat incident would be brought to justice through a fair investigation. It would also be unearthed if any evil force was behind the scene, he said while visiting different affected areas in Baghaichhari upazila on Sunday.

He warned that none would be spared if found guilty for trying to disrupt the existing cordial and peaceful co-existence between the tribal people and the Bengali speaking people. The state minister also assured both of them proper compensations. CHT Affairs Task Force Chairman Jyotindra Lal Tripura, Rangamati and Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairmen Nikhil Kumar Chakma and Ruhity Karbari, Rangamati DC Surendra Nath Chakrabarty and Police Super Masudul Hassan, among others flanked the minister.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/02/23/news0537.htm

Curfew slapped on Khagrachhari municipality

The authorities have imposed a curfew on Khagrachhari municipality and its neighbouring areas for 10 hours from 9:00pm Tuesday in the wake of fresh violence in the area that killed at least one person.

At least 50 people were injured and 66 houses burnt in clashes between indigenous people and Bangalee settlers on Tuesday that forced the authorities to roll out army Tuesday afternoon.

Muhammad Abdullah, deputy commissioner of Khagrachhari, told The Daily Star he imposed curfew to avoid any untoward incident at night.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=22357

Attack condemned

Rights activists and eminent personalities yesterday strongly condemned the killing of indigenous people and arson attacks on their houses at Baghaihat in Rangamati on Saturday.

In separate statements, they demanded formation of a judiciary commission to probe the incident and punishment to the attackers.

They called on the government to provide food and treatment facilities for the affected families and ensure their rehabilitation.

They also called for deployment of police force formed with indigenous people and Bangalees.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=127559

PCJSS seeks PM's intervention to restore peace in hills

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity on Monday sought direct intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to restore peace in Chittagong Hill Tracts that turned unstable following Saturday's violence in Baghaichhari of Rangamati.

At a rally organised to protest killing indigenous people in Baghaihat, the indigenous leaders accused army of killing people and setting fire to nine villages at Baghaihat under Baghaichhari upazila.

The PCJSS, a platform of the indigenous people living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, demanded deployment of additional police forces to replace army and immediate withdrawal of Baghaihat army zone. >more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=22349

At least two people killed in ethnic violence

Bangladesh opposition blames army pullout for the clashes in the Chittagong Hills
By Anisur Rahman, CorrespondentPublished: 00:00 February 23, 2010
Dhaka: The main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), claims that the pullout of troops from the south-east hills under a 1997 peace accord has caused ethnic violence in the region.>more> http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/at-least-two-people-killed-in-ethnic-violence-1.587031

Keep eye on Hill Districts

A TENSE situation still prevails at Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati hill district following Saturday's incidents of gunfight, arson and killing. At least ten people have reportedly been killed with some others injured or missing. According to reports, more than 200 houses have been burnt to ashes rendering some 1,500 people homeless. These sad incidents have taken place in a situation when the government has been very sympathetic to the hill people. >more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/02/23/news0513.htm

Appeals to PM to ensure 'fair probe' at B'chhari

Appeals to PM to ensure 'fair probe'

Dhaka, Feb 22 (bdnews24.com) – Indigenous leaders, the international CHT Commission and local rights groups appealed separately Monday for justice and a "fair probe" in the wake of violence in a remote area of Rangamati hill district in which indigenous villages were torched and two people killed.

Bagaichhari upazila nirbahi officer ASM Humayun Kabir was withdrawn from duty, the establishment ministry said in a notice, just three days after the severe clashes over land between the Pahar (hill) people and 'Bengali' settlers.

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) submitted a memo to the prime minister and called for a parliamentary probe into the events in Baghaichhari Upazila on Feb19-20. >more> http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=154256&cid=2

Rights group asks UN to intervene in attacks on Bangladeshi tribals

Agartala, Feb 22 (IANS) A New Delhi-based rights group has sought UN intervention over attacks on tribals in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh, a release said here Monday.
“The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has demanded the intervention of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Navi Pillay to ask Bangladesh government to take appropriate action on the burning of tribal villages and indiscriminate killing of tribals by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers Saturday,” Suhas Chakma, director of ACHR said in a statement.

Bangladeshi newspapers have reported that the authorities have deployed soldiers after over 100 houses in several villages besides a church, a buddhist temple and an office of a UN-funded project were set on fire in Bagaichhari sub-district under CHT Saturday.>more> http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/rights-group-asks-un-to-intervene-in-attacks-on-bangladeshi-tribals_100324306.html

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Massive Communal Attack on Jumma Villages

On 19-20 February 2010 massive communal attack on Jumma villages was made by military forces and Bengali settlers at Baghaihat area of Sajek union under Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district. It is reported that at 8 Jumma villagers including a woman were killed and 25 Jumma villagers wounded in this attack. It is learnt that around 200 houses of Jumma villagers including Buddhist temple and church were completely burnt into ashes.

On 19 February 2010 afternoon a group Bengali settlers went to the Gangaran Duar area and put pillars on the land of indigenous Jumma villagers for construction of house there. At that time, the Jumma villagers protested and opposed the Bengali settlers.>more> http://www.unpo.org/content/view/10751/102/

Bangladesh tribals clash with settlers;100 hurt

DHAKA (Reuters) - Authorities in Bangladesh deployed the army to the southeastern hill region after more than 100 people were injured in clashes between tribals and Bengali settlers, police and local media said on Sunday,

At least two people were killed in the clashes that raged

throughout Saturday in the Rangamati Hill District, about 350 km (220 miles) from the capital Dhaka, the worst violence in the area in years.

Thousands of landless Bengalis, mostly victims of river erosion, were settled in the Chittagong Hill Tract region under a government plan in the 1980s to ease population pressure in the plains and also to defuse a tribal insurgency.>more> http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-46336220100221

Tension in Chittagong hills following ethnic clashes

Dhaka: Ethnic tension mounted in Bangladesh's southeastern hills following the recovery of a second body after clashes between tribesmen and Bengali speaking settlers, amid unconfirmed claims that seven persons had died in the violence.

The body of a tribesman was recovered taking the official toll in the clashes to two, as Army troops patrolled the area to prevent further violence, officials and witnesses said.


"Army troops continued to patrol the region as the local tribesmen and Bengali speaking settlers rallied in groups with lethal weapons at a remote subdistrict of the Sajek valley in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)," a journalist present in the said over phone >more> http://www.zeenews.com/news605956.html

Tribals killed, temple burnt down by Bangladesh forces

BANGLADESH IS in news but once again for the wrong reasons. The poverty stricken South Asian country has witnessed the killing of six tribal people in Chittagong Hill Tracts during the third week of February. Authentic sources confirmed that the Bangladesh armed forces had also burnt down a Buddhist temple in the locality.

“At least three tribals including Lakkhi Bijoy Chakma and Litan Chakma were shot dead on February 20, and dozens were injured in the firing by the Bangladesh Army while one Buddhis >more> http://www.merinews.com/article/tribals-killed-temple-burnt-down-by-bangladesh-forces/15798852.shtml

Five die in clashes in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts

Dhaka, Feb 21 (IANS) Buddhist tribals Sunday prevented a minister and senior administration officials from visiting Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts where five people were killed in clashes.

The army was called in after houses in several villages besides a church, a pagoda and an office of a UN-funded project were set on fire. A statue of Lord Buddha installed at the Banani Buddhist Monastery was damaged and another statue was looted, New Age newspaper said Sunday.>more> http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/107949.htm

Five die in clashes in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts

Dhaka, Feb 21 – Buddhist tribals Sunday prevented a minister and senior administration officials from visiting Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts where five people were killed in clashes.

The army was called in after houses in several villages besides a church, a pagoda and an office of a UN-funded project were set on fire. A statue of Lord Buddha installed at the Banani Buddhist Monastery was damaged and another statue was looted, New Age newspaper said Sunday.>more> http://www.indiatalkies.com/2010/02/die-clashes-bangladeshs-chittagong-hill-tracts.html

Five Die in Clashes in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts

Dhaka, Feb 21 – Buddhist tribals Sunday prevented a minister and senior administration officials from visiting Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts where five people were killed in clashes.
The army was called in after houses in several villages besides a church, a pagoda and an office of a UN-funded project were set on fire. A statue of Lord Buddha installed at the Banani Buddhist Monastery was damaged and another statue was looted, New Age newspaper said Sunday.>more> http://www.vattal.com/five-die-in-clashes-in-bangladeshs-chittagong-hill-tracts/

Tension in Chittagong hills following ethnic clashes

Dhaka: Ethnic tension mounted in Bangladesh's southeastern hills following the recovery of a second body after clashes between tribesmen and Bengali speaking settlers, amid unconfirmed claims that seven persons had died in the violence.

The body of a tribesman was recovered taking the official toll in the clashes to two, as Army troops patrolled the area to prevent further violence, officials and witnesses said. >more> http://www.zeenews.com/news605956.html

Body brought forward as minister visits Bh'chhari

Dhaka, Feb 21 (bdnews24.com) — Locals at Bhagraichhari in Rangamati hill district brought forward a second bullet-ridden body on Sunday as the state minister for CHT affairs visited the area in wake of conflict, during which, locals said, the army opened fire on them.

State minister Dipankar Talukder assured them that a probe into the violent clashes would be held within the week.

Tribal leaders said Sunday that at least six indigenous villagers were killed by army fire during the clashes between indigenous and settler communities the day before. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=154153&cid=2

Bangladesh Tribals Clash With Settlers;100 Hurt

DHAKA, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Authorities in Bangladesh deployed the army to the southeastern hill region after more than 100 people were injured in clashes between tribals and Bengali settlers, police and local media said on Sunday,

At least two people were killed in the clashes that raged throughout Saturday in the Rangamati Hill District, about 350 km (220 miles) from the capital Dhaka, the worst violence in the area in years.>more> http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/149939/reftab/149/Default.aspx

EU parliamentarians demand probe into CHT violence

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipankar Talukder on Sunday assured the indigenous people that action would be taken against those responsible for Saturday's Rangamati incident within the next seven days.

The minister made the assurance while visiting Gangaram Mukh village in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati where two indigenous people were killed in army firing on Saturday, report our Khagrachhari and Rangamati correspondents.

Meanwhile, the outraged villagers vandalised the car of Baghaichhari upazila nirbahi officer AHM Humayun Kabir in Ansar Camp area. However, the UNO was not inside the vehicle.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=22324

Action against culprits in 7 days, minister says in Rangamati

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipankar Talukder on Sunday assured the indigenous people that action would be taken against those responsible for Saturday's Rangamati incident within the next seven days.

The minister made the assurance while visiting Gangaram Mukh village in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati where two indigenous people were killed in army firing on Saturday, report our Khagrachhari and Rangamati correspondents.

Meanwhile, the outraged villagers vandalised the car of Baghaichhari upazila nirbahi officer AHM Humayun Kabir in Ansar Camp area. However, the UNO was not inside the vehicle.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=22324

EU parliamentarians demand probe into CHT violence

Dhaka, Feb 20 (bdnews24.com)— Visiting EU parliamentarians on Saturday expressed their concern over recent attacks on leaders of Chittagong Hill Tracts and demanded probe into the incidents.

The delegation, led by Jean Lambert, shared its observations after a seven day tour of Bangladesh from Feb 13-20 at a press conference in Dhaka on Saturday.

Lambert was worried over the assault on leaders of the indigenous communities in the CHT, including Raja Devashish Roy, chief of Chakma Circle, and Santu Larma. >more> http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=154127&cid=2

Bangladesh army burns down UN sponosored Chakma villages

New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today sought the intervention of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay with the government of Bangladesh for taking appropriate actions against the burning down of the tribal villages and indiscriminate killing of indigenous Jumma peoples since yesterday night i.e. 19th February 2010 by the Bangladesh Army and illegal plain settlers. According to the information received by Asian Centre for Human Rights this morning, the Bangladesh Army has resumed the burning down of the tribal houses at 6 am GMT (20 February 2010) and the villages are still being burnt at the time of issuing this press release.>more>
http://www.achrweb.org/press/2010/BD01-2010.html

Indigenous leaders want primary edn in mother tongues

Indigenous leaders have called on the government to start primary-level education in their mother languages and demanded an announcement by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this connection on International Mother Language Day.

The leaders placed the demand while they were being interviewed by this correspondent yesterday regarding their expectations on the occasion of this year's Ekushey February.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=127131

32 houses torched in Rangamati clash

Khagrachari, Feb 20 (bdnews24.com) – At least 32 houses and shops, mostly owned by tribal people, were torched at Baghaichari upazila in Rangamati district on Friday night during a clash between indigenous people and Bangali settlers in the region.

Khagrachari deputy commissioner Mohammad Abdullah and Rangamati deputy commissioner Surendranath Chakrabarti said the situation in Baghaichari was "under control" on Saturday. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=154106&cid=2

Govt allocates highest fund for female education: Dipankar

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Dipankar Talukdar has said the government attached highest priority to enhance the standard of female education by allocating maximum fund. He said that women should be involved in developing activities of the country making them worthy by imparting proper education.

The socio-economic development would be carried out and the unemployment problem would be resolved in the CHT undertaking a long- term plan, Dipankar told rallies held at different places under Kaukhali upazila of the district on Sunday.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/02/16/news0071.htm

EU pledges climate help

The European community will always stand by Bangladesh in protecting its people from the disastrous impacts of increasing global warming and climate change.

The assurance came when a six-member high-level delegation from the European Union Headquarters led by Jean Lambert, a member of the European parliament, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Jamuna yesterday evening.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=126407

India& Bangladesh—Security –Related Issues

(February 06, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) During her recent visit to India from January 10 to 13,2010, we saw in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has completed one year in office, a greater confidence in herself and a greater feeling of political security. Having weathered without damage to her political strength the bloody revolt of the Bangladesh Rifles against its own senior officers and having brought to a successful culmination the long process of accountability of some former Army officers for the brutal assassination of her father in 1975, she now feels confident enough to move forward on the road to internal peace and prosperity.>more> http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/02/india-bangladeshsecurity-related-issues.html

Tribals killed, temple burnt down by Bangladesh forces

BANGLADESH IS in news but once again for the wrong reasons. The poverty stricken South Asian country has witnessed the killing of six tribal people in Chittagong Hill Tracts during the third week of February. Authentic sources confirmed that the Bangladesh armed forces had also burnt down a Buddhist temple in the locality.>more> http://www.in.com/news/current-affairs/fullstory-tribals-killed-temple-burnt-down-by-bangladesh-forces-12897969-a08c97a703491a51ceb29625bcd65565da9197b0-1.html

5 die in clashes in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill

Dhaka: Five people were killed in clashes when Buddhist tribals prevented a minister and senior administration officials from visiting Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts . Several houses and an office of a UN-funded project were set on fire ,a statue of Lord buddha instalkled at the bananai Buddhist Monastery was damaged as well.Bangladesh's only district having a significant Buddhist population has witnessed clashes between the locals and those settled there as part of a policy to retain hold of the restive area. The efforts of the Sheikh Hasina government to withdraw army camps from the region are being resisted by the settlers who demand protection from the tribals. >more> http://www.in.com/news/current-affairs/fullstory-5-die-in-clashes-in-bangladeshs-chittagong-hill-12896051-a17f923fc59453d24da23c224f9805b04b9e52e7-1.html

Santu Larma escapes gun attacks

Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, escaped a series of gun attacks that damaged his car in Mohalchhari Upazila of Khagrachhari on Wednesday.

Santu, also the leader of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), remained unhurt but bullets hit his car and broke glasses.

He was going to Khagrachhari district headquarters from Rangamati to attend a meeting of the CHT Land Commission at the circuit house.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=21866

Shots fired on Santu Larma's motorcade

Khagrachharhi, Jan 27 (bdnews24.com)—Shots were fired at Santu Larma's motorcade on Wednesday as the Chittagong Hill Tracts regional council chairman was travelling to Khagrachharhi from Rangamati to attend a meeting of the CHT Land Commission.

On reaching Khagrachharhi, Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, in a press conference expressed concern over the attack despite the strong presence of law enforcers in the troubled hill districts.

If the administration failed to take appropriate steps, he would take measures into his own hands, the regional leader warned. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=152167&cid=2

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Rights Activists Condemn Attack on Sanjeeb Drong

Rights activists and politicians on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of the Bangladesh Indigenous People’s Forum, saying that the government seems to be playing no role at all in protecting the members of the ethnic minorities.

They also demanded the prime minister’s intervention to ensure the punishment of the criminals who attacked Sanjeeb at Rannikhong in Netrokona district on Friday when he was returning from Boheratali Christian Mission by motorcycle.>more> http://www.unpo.org/content/view/10630/102/

Universities fail to ensure quality education

Public and private universities have largely failed to implement the aims and objectives of higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has observed.

The reasons for the failure include influence of partisan politics on student bodies, session jam, lack of transparency and accountability in the activities of teachers and students, uncontrolled consultancy and part time jobs of teachers, it said.

In its annual report for 2008 placed in parliament yesterday, the UGC cited the other reasons as faulty process of recruitment and appointment of vice-chancellors, teachers and officials of the universities, inadequate annual budgets and poor allocation of funds for research, adverse ratio of teachers and students, and lack of policy on income and expenditure of most of the private universities.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=123511

Tension runs high after Rangamati clash

Rangamati, Jan 24 (bdnews24.com)--Rangamati hill district's indigenous residents barricaded the Dighinala-Baghaichharhi-Baghaihat road from early on Sunday after tension ran high the night before in the main town as a land dispute sparked clashes between Bengali settlers and the indigenous locals.

During the daylong road blockade staged by the hills people in Sajek valley area on Sunday morning, the Bengali settlers allegedly attacked the local people.

A local people's representative said clashes occurred when the Bangalee settlers and the local hill people stood face-to-face over land rights issues during the road blockade.

Upazila Parishad chairman Sudarshan Chakma told bdnews24.com that as a convoy of three to four buses carrying the Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) leaders and activists were headed for Khagrachharhi district headquarters at around 10am to join an activists' conference there, the blockaders stopped them at Naimile point. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=151882&cid=2

Clashes rock Rangamati

Rangamati, Jan 24 (bdnews24.com)—Tension ran high in this hilly town after a land dispute sparked clashes between Bengali settlers and indigenous people on Saturday evening.

Officials said an alleged bid by the Bangalee settlers brought the two battling parties face to face at Baghaihat bazaar, but police and army intervened to tame the two groups.

"The army along with the police have brought the situation under control," Sourendro Nath Chakravarty, the Rangamati deputy commissioner, told bdnews24.com.

Locals said the clashes began at around 8:30pm and continued well beyond the midnight.

Allegations say the Bengalis have been trying to build households at Baghaihat and Gangarammukh under Sajek union. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=151845&cid=2

Santu Larma calls for CHT treaty implementation

Rangamati, Jan 23 (bdnews24.com) – CHT regional council chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, on Saturday asked the government to remove barriers for full implementation of the CHT peace accord.

He also called upon the government to ban the United People's Democratic Front saying that it stands in the way of implementing the accord.

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity chief Santu Larma made the demand speaking at the conference of the Sanghati Samity activists' conference at the municipal auditorium of Rangamati.

Santu Larma said he thought that some men of the Samity, known as reformists, are also responsible for impeding the accord's implementation. > more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=151820&cid=2