CHTNEWS-DOT-COM

Bangladesh imposes fresh curfew after south-east riots - Summary

2010-02-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:39:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:35:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:31:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:23:00.000-08:00

(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

2010-02-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:20:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:19:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:18:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:16:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:13:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:43:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

Body brought forward as minister visits Bh'chhari

2010-02-21T21:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:23:00.001-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:23:00.000-08:00

EU parliamentarians demand probe into CHT violence

2010-02-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:18:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:17:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

(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

2010-02-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:56:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:53:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:51:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:49:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:47:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

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

What happened on August 16, 1946 Direct Action Day?

2010-01-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

According to the 1941 census 53.4 per cent of the Bengalis were Muslims and the rest Hindus, with a minuscule proportion of Buddhists and Christians thrown in. The province was divided into five administrative divisions, which were further subdivided into districts, as follows : Presidency division, consisting of the districts of 24-Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Jessore and Khulna and the Presidency town of Calcutta ; Burdwan division, with the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Midnapore, Bankura, Burdwan and Birbhum ; Rajshahi division, with the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Malda, Dinajpur, Bogra, Rangpur, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling ; Dacca division, with the districts of Dacca, Faridpur, Barisal and Mymensingh (the largest district in British India) ; and Chittagong division with the districts of Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Noakhali and Tipperah. Apart from these districts of Bengal, the people of Sylhet district of Assam, adjoining the Tipperah and Mymensingh districts of Bengal, those of the princely state of Cooch Behar adjoining Jalpaiguri and Rangpur, and a large number among the people of the princely state of Tripura, and among those of the districts of Manbhum nad Singhbhum in Bihar also largely spoke Bangla, and therefore were Bengalis. A map of the erstwhile province of Bengal, as it existed till the midnight of 14th August 1947 is at Fig. 1. The Bangla-speaking areas outside Bengal are also shown in the same map. <More> http://teabreak.pk/what-happened-on-august-16-1946-direct-action-day-289/31223/

Future of India-Bangladesh relations

2010-01-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Sheikh Hasina, who started her second term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on January 6, 2009, is due to visit India from Sunday. This is her first visit to New Delhi during this term, and it is expected to be a significant one.

When Ms Hasina became Prime Minister in 1996 (she held office till 2001), her Awami League had a thin majority in Parliament, and her government had many limitations. She came to power after two decades that followed the bloody changeover of 1975. Despite those limitations, her government took some remarkable steps vis-À-vis India. Overall, it tried to reverse certain post-1975 political trends and to rejuvenate the pro-liberation spirit that was needed badly for a secular polity in a country that had seen the planned rehabilitation of the so-called 1947 spirit by a set of military and pseudo-democratic rulers. >more> http://beta.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/article77850.ece?homepage=true

Ambassador Serajul Islam's Political Blog

2010-01-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

That day the Foreign Secretary had gone to Chittagong where the area Commander of Bangladesh Army in the Hill Tracts held meetings on insurgency regularly for a Committee that was headed by then Planning Minister AK Khandker, also now the Planning Minister in the Government, in which the Foreign Secreteray was a member. By 1030, agents from DG (NSI) were in the Bag Section inspecting the Box, taking photographs. The Director-General (Administration) who was an officer deputed by the Establishment Division at the behest of the Foreign Minister went down quickly to the Bag Section but by the time he was there, the intelligence agents were already gone >more>http://ambassadorseraj.blogspot.com/2010/01/mohammad-mohsin-takes-charge.html

Consult council for development

2010-01-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) has urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take necessary steps to cancel the planning ministry's decision to develop tourism in hill areas without consulting the Hill District Council.

The CHTC sent a letter to the prime minister on Wednesday expressing its concern over indiscriminate tourism development plans in the CHT.

Congratulating the Awami League-led alliance government on completing its first year in office, the letter said the commission had learned that the parliamentary standing committee (PSC) on the planning ministry on 23 December 2009 decided to develop tourism in the CHT region >more>http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=121002

Eco-tourism in Bangladesh

2010-01-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

Kaptai National Park:

The Kaptai National Park is located in Rangamati Hill District over Karnaphuly and Kaptai Ranges under Chittagong Hill Tracts (South) Forest Division. It is accessible by air, road or train from Dhaka upto Chittagong then by road. Area: 5464 hectare. Established: 1999.

Existing facilities: Rangamati Hill District is one of the major tourist places in Bangladesh. The green hills, vast Kaptai Lake, numerous springs as well as the unique life style of tribal people attract tourist. Besides, there are many other fascinating things or places where the tourists visit such as, Rajbon Bihar, Tribal Cultural Museum, Bungalow of Deputy Commissioner, Bain Textile, Hanging Bridge adjacent of Tourism complex, Soubolng, Kaptai Hydro-Electric Project etc.

Kaptai National Park is unique for its monumental plantations of 1873, 1878 and 1879, the starting point of modern forest management in this sub-continent. The tropical rain forest on the banks of river Karnaphuly is amazing in the Kaptai National Park. There is a number of wildlife like Deer, Elephent, and Jungle cat, Monkey etc. in the park. The Kaptai Forest Rest house and Kaptai Mukh Forest Rest House, Picnic spots are other attraction to enjoy the scenic natural beauty of the National Park.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/01/08/news0682.htm

Making the CHT treaty a win-win for all

2010-01-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

Critics say that the ground realities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) do not match the terms and provisions of the peace treaty the previous Awami League government signed with Shanti Bahini. The treaty, according to them, was less than fair to the rest of the population in Bangladesh. They say it compromises the nation's political and territorial interests.>more> http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=88824

PM's India-tour-matters discussed at cabinet meet: regional peace tops Delhi talks

2010-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

The cabinet approved the previously signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Roads and Highways Department under the Communications Ministry and Expressway Corporation of Korea with retrospective effect.

Another report adds: PM Sheikh Hasina has expressed her government's strong commitment to ensure all necessary development of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The PM made the commitment while talking to cross-sections of people of Rangamati through videoconference from the Prime Minister's Office Wednesday.

Public representatives, government officials and civil-society members of the hill district talked to the PM.>more> http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=88866

Work to implement CHT deal

2010-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Deputy Leader of Jatiya Sangsad Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury yesterday said the government wants full implementation of the Chittagong-Hill Tracts Peace Treaty and land survey is going on in the hill region to implement the treaty.

"The hill people have every right to use the hill lands," she asserted and sought cooperation from all quarters for implementing the Peace Treaty to improve the standard of life of the indigenous people.

"It is our duty to implement the treaty for the greater welfare of the indigenous people," Sajeda said while addressing a view-exchange meeting at National Press Club auditorium in the morning.>more>http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/01/06/news0485.htm

PM sees govt excelling 'everywhere'

2010-01-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

Dhaka, Jan 4 (bdnews24.com) – Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said the grand alliance government has excelled in all areas in its first year in power.

"We are successful in all areas. Perhaps, we have one failure as we could not loot and kill people," Hasina was quoted by her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad as saying.

"We could not also resort to corruption and destroy industries," she said.

The PM was speaking while launching the expansion of network of Teletalk, state-owned mobile phone operator, in three Chittagong Hill Tract districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Rangamati from her office.>more>http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=150168&cid=2

22 CHT upazilas now under Teletalk network

2010-01-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

The state-run mobile phone operator Teletalk brought 22 upazilas of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) under its network coverage on Monday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the network from her office in the capital talking to Post and Telecommunications Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, who called her from Lama upazila auditorium of Bandarban over mobile phone, at about 11:00am.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) Managing Director Khobiruzzaman was also present on the occasion, reports our Bandarban correspondent>more>http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=21463

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord of 1997 and its Aftermath

2010-01-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

Abstract: The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), situated to the southeastern part of Bangladesh has been under boil since mid seventies. A two decades long conflicts between the Government of Bangladesh and ‘Shanti Bahini`, a rebel group of indigenous people, caused loss of thousands of lives and valuable resources. A peace treaty was signed between the two parties in December 2 1997, in order to bring peace and stability in this region. In this paper, we have tried to highlight the political situation of the country and of the CHT area that resulted because of the treaty. Some important provisions of the treaty have been mentioned and their implementation status has been discussed. It was found that after more than six years of the signing of the treaty, very little of the treaty has been implemented and the situation of CHT is far from peaceful. We have discussed the reasons why maintaining peace in this area is important for Bangladesh and have provided some recommendations that would help in bringing lasting peace in the CHT region.

Year of 'enhanced cooperation' against terrorism

2010-01-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

bdnews24.com New Delhi correspondent

New Delhi, Jan 2 (bdnews24.com) – When Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is conferred with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in New Delhi during her visit to India this month, it will be in recognition of her "outstanding contribution to promotion of democracy and pluralism, her determined drive to alleviate poverty and secure social and economic justice for her people through inclusive and sustainable development, and her consistent commitment to peace."

The citation that Indian President Pratibha Patil will present to Hasina will perhaps also mention the efforts she had made during her first tenure (1996-2001) as prime minister to end the insurgency in Chittagong Hill Tracts by striking a deal with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) in 1997. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=150034&cid=2

Hill rock extraction goes on unabated in CHT

2010-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Rampant extraction of hill rocks is going on in the district defying the government ban and posing serious threat to environment.

Continuous collection of hill rocks develops silt and mud in nearby rivers, which is a major reason for untimely flooding in Khagrachhari. Illegal extraction also deprives the government of huge revenue from rock extraction.

At least 40 places have been marked in eight upazilas of the district where the illegal collectors gather hill rocks and sell them to local constructors for using those in various development work.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=119972

Journalist buys freedom

2009-12-31T08:19:00.000-08:00

The sub-editor of a journal kidnapped by miscreants Saturday secured his freedom on payment of ransom on Monday night. Nicolas Chakma, 40, Sub-Editor of 'Maurum', a research journal on tribal people based in the capital, was kidnapped from upazila parishad area of the town on Saturday evening.>more>
http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/31/news0986.htm

Papaya farming gains popularity in CHT

2009-12-31T08:17:00.000-08:00

Commercial farming of papaya has been gaining popularity among the indigenous farmers in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) as it is more profitable than other crops.

Some 1055 hectares of land have been brought under papaya cultivation this year only in Bandarban with a target of 30,000 metric tones, sources at Agriculture Extension Department (AED) of Bandarban said.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=119802

JSS leader killed in Khagrachhari

2009-12-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

Unknown assailants killed a leader of leading indigenous forum Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS) with sharp weapons at Boradom village in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari district early Monday.

He was identified as Pradip Chandra Chakma alias doctor Jogesh, 40, son of Pravat Chandra Chakma of the village, reports our Khagrachhari correspondent.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=21336

JSS leader killed in Khagrachharhi

2009-12-28T15:53:00.000-08:00

hagrachharhi, Dec 28 (bdnews24.com) – Unknown assailants killed a Janasanghati Samity leader at Dighinala upazila in Khagrachharhi early on Monday.

Police suspected Pradip Kanti Chakma Jogesh, 43, was hacked to death at Baradam.

Dighinala police chief Subhash Chandra Paul told bdnews24.com that intra-party conflicts might have led to the killing of the indigenous leader, whose head bore several wounds from sharp weapons. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=149734&cid=2

Complete peace needed for dev, says Raja Devashish

2009-12-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

Raj Punyah, the traditional royal festival of the Chakma dynasty, began on the premises of Chakma Rajbari (palace) amid great enthusiasm and fanfare in Rangamati hill town yesterday.

On the first day of the three-day festival, thousands of indigenous people including Chakma, Marma, Tangchagya, Tripura, Pankhua, Lusai, Khiyang, Bawm and Chak communities from Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari hill districts thronged the Rajbari premises.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=119599

Govt to develop exclusive tourist zone

2009-12-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

he government has taken initiatives to create an exclusive tourist zone in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban districts and a proposal has been developed accordingly for approval by the authorities concerned.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Dr Oli Ahmed told reporters today about the plan at Chimbuk Hill Rest House after a visit to the area.

He said five spots of Rangamati and Bandarban were identified for development with cable car facilities for tourists. The government has already given approval to a project for installation of cable car in these spots.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/28/news0800.htm

Raj Punyah begins in Rangamati

2009-12-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

The three-day traditional 'Raj Punyah' festival began at the compound of Chakma Rajbari (palace) in Rangamati Sunday afternoon.

Chakma Raja Devasish Roy and prince Tribhuban Aryadev Roy ascended the makeshift throne at about 2:10pm as the 'Raj Darbar' started according to the traditional customs.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=21324

BTKS demands constitutional recognition as ethnic minority groups

2009-12-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

he two-day 6th council of the Bangladesh Tanchangya Kalyan Sangstha (BTKS) was concluded on Saturday with a vow to gain recognition of the constitutional guarantee as the ethnic minority groups living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to uphold their culture and heritage. >more>
http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/27/news0729.htm

DANISH SUPPORT FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY PROJECT IN THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

2009-12-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

Einar Hebogård Jensen, the Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh and Stefan Priesner, Country Representative, UNDP today signed an agreement on the Agriculture and Food Security Project (AFSP) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

(Pic:- From Left: Mr. Stefan Priesner, Country Representative, UNDP and H.E. Einar Hebogård Jensen, Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh.)

The Embassy of Denmark will contribute Danish Kroner 20 million for the Agriculture and Food Security Project. The Agriculture and Food Security Project, is funded under Danida supported Agriculture Sector Programme Support II (ASPS II) and implemented by UNDP

through the ‘Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Project’ and is an integral part of the Community Empowerment Programme (CEP). The overall agreement regarding ‘Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Project’ was signed between the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP on 27 September 2009. >more> http://www.ambdhaka.um.dk/en/menu/TheEmbassy/News/DanishSupportForTheAgricultureAndFoodSecurityProjectInTheChittagongHillTracts.htm?wbc_purpose=b&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublis%252CPresentationUnpublis,PresentationUnpublis,PresentationUnpublis

44pc children in char lands go to school : Study

2009-12-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

About 50 percent of the population living in char (shoal) lands in north-western region of the country are illiterate and only 44 percent of children in these areas go to school, according to a study of Unnayan Shamannay, a research organisation.

Most students also do not attend classes regularly and the main reason behind this is that they do not get free textbooks, the study said.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=119213

Japan MP wants CHT land issue resolved

2009-12-27T10:02:00.000-08:00

Dhaka, Dec 21 (bdnews24.com)--The government should give priority to resolving land disputes to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord, Japanese parliamentarian Naoto Sakaguchi says.

"First priority is definitely the land issue since its related to human rights and important for the co-existence of settlers and indigenous people," he told the media on Monday while briefing on his three-day visit to the CHT.

Sakaguchi, member of the foreign affairs committee of Japan's House of Representatives, is in Bangladesh to have a first-hand assessment of the situation in the hills region. >more> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=149321&cid=2

Land commission for indigenous people soon

2009-12-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

tate Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Talukder yesterday said the government has taken steps to form a separate land commission for resolving land dispute for indigenous people of plain land of the country.

He was addressing a roundtable on 'ILO Convention 169: Indigenous people and Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad' in a city hotel. >more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/21/news0221.htm

Australian scholarships for 45 Bangladesh students

2009-12-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Australian Government announced 45 new scholarships for Bangladesh students to pursue postgraduate studies in Australia at a ceremony in Dhaka on 14 December.

The scholarships were awarded to Bangladeshis from diverse backgrounds, including civil servants, development workers, academics, and researchers. Ten scholarship recipients were from the Chittagong Hill Tracts area, reflecting Australia's commitment to improving education qualification standards in that region.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/20/news0177.htm

REFUGEES WITHIN, REFUGEES WITHOUT

2009-12-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

On 15 August 1947, the Indian tricolour went up a flagpost in Rangamati, the main town in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Chakma leaders had believed during the tortuous negotiations leading up to Partition that, given the religious composition of the largely Buddhist CHT, their district would be parcelled out to India.>more> http://anaryadravidvangaindigenous.blogspot.com/2009/12/refugees-within-refugees-without.html

Solar panels light up remote CHT

2009-12-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

Electricity generated from solar panels in remote parts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is helping indigenous communities to involve themselves in new income-generating activities.

Traditional income sources of the hill people are fishing, jhum cultivation and selling daily labour. But they are now rearing goats and cows, weaving clothes and making bamboo baskets in the extra hours into the night thanks to power generated by solar panels.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=118213

Hilltribes learn about Christmas

2009-12-27T09:43:00.000-08:00

BANDARBAN: Tribal people of different religions have turned up in the hundreds for a special Advent program organized for them at a Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) parish.

"I'm amazed to see many tribal communities coming together to celebrate a single religious festival," said Kya Shoi Hla Marma, chairman of the Bandarban District Council.>more> http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/14143-1-2-Hilltribes-learn-about-Christmas

Women continue to be oppressed in Bangladesh

2009-12-27T09:39:00.000-08:00

The Hague, Netherlands, December 15 — Many women in Bangladesh suffer from rape, gang rape, murder, torture and acid throwing. The position of women in Bangladesh is vulnerable. Even though Bangladesh has an elected government, the difficulties facing women haven't ended. Violence against women is a common feature in Bangladesh, and women face various problems under the system of repression.>more> http://www.upiasia.com/Blogosphere/JahangirAlamAkash/20091215/women_continue_to_be_oppressed_in_bangladesh/

A Chakma in Pakistan

2009-12-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

He is virtually unknown to the present generation of Pakistanis, and a fading memory for those old enough to know. But in the aftermath of 1971, when Bangladesh came into existence, Raja Tridiv Roy was quite the toast of Pakistan.

Then the titular chief of the Chittagong Hill Tract Chakmas, Mr. Roy was just one of two East Pakistan parliamentarians — Noor-ul-Amin was the other — to reject the new country, and throw in their lot with West Pakistan.>more> http://beta.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article65744.ece

Survival celebrates 40 years of success in campaign for tribal peoples’ rights

2009-12-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

1997: The Bangladeshi government signed a Peace Accord with the Jumma
tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, committing the government to removing
military camps from the area and ending violence and theft of the Jummas'
land. ....>more> http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/5360

Increasing freshwater fish production

2009-12-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Apart from the former project director, four syndicates are controlling the fate of the project. It is said that these syndicates in collusion with some officials of the department of fisheries dictate the sales of fish fries. The chairman of the Chittagong Hatchery Owners' Association and a researcher of Halda project have been threatened with murder by syndicate members for protesting against their misdeeds.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=117720

Does BNP council raise any hope for the nation?

2009-12-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

The leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia asked the government to work to implement its elections manifesto ' we will extend constructive cooperation. "Let the opposition talk for the people and stay away from brining false allegations against it. Discuss any issues related to people and the country in parliament before making any decision. We will help make parliament effective."

She also said the government's ' go alone' policy on holding trial of the killing of army officers , demarcation of maritime boundary, Tipaimukhi Dam issue, Asian Highway and withdrawal of army camps from Chittagong Hill Tracts has aroused suspicion among the people of about its sincerity.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/15/news0823.htm

Police recruitment falls short, next year target soars

2009-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

"However, there will also be a separate budget for the newly appointed ranks."

Nur said senior posts long lying vacant will be filled through promotions.

He also said a battalion of 1,000 police troops withdrawn from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as part of the peace process, will be relocated throughout the country.
>more details> http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=148846&cid=2

Kosovo: Muslims Torch Churches , Hate Christ

2009-12-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

East Timor remained largely unreported throughout the 80’s and most of the 90’s. A Christian land ravaged by Muslims – nobody cared. Untold crimes have been committed in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh against the Chakmas, and yet how often is the conflict reported? – never!,“ a believer noted in despair.>more> http://balkaninfo.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/kosovo-muslims-torch-churches-hate-christ/

Genocide: 20 Million Bangladeshi Hindus are Missing

2009-12-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

Hindus comprised nearly 30% of the total population in Bangladesh in 1947. After the exodus of minorities following the partition of India in 1947, the hindu population went down to about 22% by 1951. Due to unabated persecution, intimidation, and forcible conversion to Islam, the Hindu-Minority population kept on dwindling and now stands at a meager 10.5% of the total population in Bangladesh (1991 census).

Interesting to note that minority Muslim population in adjoining West Bengal (India) showed a positive growth rate and according to 1991 Census, stood at nearly 24% of the total population from only about 12% in 1947.>more> http://www.bangladeshihindu.com/genocide-20-million-bangladeshi-hindus-are-missing/

More Fun On the Road

2009-12-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

The British Government advice for travel in Bangladesh says that you should avoid travelling on the roads at night, and that you should not travel into the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. Tuesday night saw us driving through the Chittagong Hill Tracts on twisty turny roads eventually ending up at the hotel where we were due to be staying well after everyone had gone to bed. Paul, who was travelling with us, called the hotel’s office in Dhaka, got the number for the place we were staying and eventually managed to wake up a porter who let us in.>more> http://www.kouya.net/?p=2469

BNP chief lays out 19-pt programme

2009-12-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Khaleda said the government’s “go alone” policy on holding trial of the killing of army officers, demarcation of maritime boundary, Tipaimukh Dam issue, Asian Highway and withdrawal of army camps form Chittagong Hill Tracts has aroused suspicion among the people about its sincerity.

The BNP will protest if the government does anything that goes against the people, she said, adding, “If necessary, we will launch movements and resistance taking people with us.”>more> http://www.sananews.com.pk/english/2009/12/09/bnp-chief-lays-out-19-pt-programme/

Human rights defenders and the situation of human rights in Bangladesh

2009-12-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Islamic militancy in Bangladesh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVsWw6ScBak

Human rights are a golden deer in Bangladesh. Most of the human rights are violated by torture. Torture has been a familiar and widespread problem in Bangladesh. Torture is a common feature in Bangladesh. Now torture has become institutionalized.

In Bangladesh, crimes against humanity have become widespread. Peace, good governance, rule of law, and democracy are nonexistent as in practice in Bangladesh. Almost every day, perpetrators have getting impunity from the state. As a result, there is a constant increase in all kinds of inhumanity. At the same time, sectarianism has increased very rapidly. And our religious minorities are suffering. After ended of two years unnatural emergency we have gotten an elected government. But, the human rights situation hasn’t changed.>more> http://inwent-iij-lab.org/Weblog/2009/12/09/human-rights-defenders-and-the-situation-of-human-rights-in-bangladesh/

Ban UPDF, withdraw army: Shantu Larma

2009-12-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, chairman of the CHT Regional Council, yesterday urged the government to ban anti-peace accord organisation United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), saying that the armed cadres of this group is carrying out terrorist activities in the hills.

He also urged the government to immediately stop 'Operation Uttaran' in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It will not be possible to implement the CHT peace accord unless the UPDF cadres are dealt with firmly and the military is pulled out of CHT, he added.>more> http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116986

PM reiterates pledge to safeguard rights

2009-12-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

She said her government has established the National Human Rights Commission through passing an act in parliament with all necessary provisions to allow it to function independently.

The Prime Minister informed the UN delegation that the Awami League government during its previous term signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord that restored peace in the region and ensured rights of the hill people.>more> http://www.sananews.com.pk/english/2009/12/07/pm-reiterates-pledge-to-safeguard-rights/

Razu opens AKtel network at Kaptai

2009-12-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

Post and Telecommunications Minister Razi Uddin Ahmed Razu on Saturday inaugurated the AKtel mobile phone network at Kaptai upazila under Rangamati hill district by receiving a call from State Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Talukdar.

The minister received the call at his Banani residence in the morning and talked with Talukdar for sometimes.>more> http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/12/07/news0161.htm

PM reiterates to safeguard human rights

2009-12-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

She said her government has established the National Human Rights Commission through passing an act in parliament with all necessary provisions to allow it to function independently.

The prime minister informed the UN delegation that the Awami League government during its previous term signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord that restored peace in the region and ensured rights of the hill people.>more>

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=20953

Implement CHT peace deal fully to ensure development: Larma

2009-12-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Chairman of CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma yesterday again urged the government to activate the regional and hill district councils for development of the region.

Stressing the need for strengthening the local government institutions, including upazila and union parishads, Larma said devolution of power is a pre-condition for development of the rural areas.

Development works in hill districts are not taking place rightly due to lack of coordination between the institutions, He said while speaking at a workshop on 'Hygiene Practice-Water and Sanitation (Hysawa) Project' funded by Danish government in the conference room of Rangamati Hill District Council.

>more>

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116530

Another land commission for indigenous people mulled

2009-12-05T07:53:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

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/