Soaring Wings

From Paritosh Chakma

Chakma community in New Delhi organised a protest at Jantar Mantar on Feb 25. Photos: Paritosh Chakma

“Jummas” comprises of 11 major tribes including Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, Mizos, Tripuris, Mogs etc

New Delhi, Feb 28, 2010: A massive demonstration was held by the members of Chakma ethnic community at Jantar Mantar here in New Delhi from 11 AM to 3 PM on February 25, 2010, to protest against the “systematic communal” attacks on the religious minorities in Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

Since 19 February 2010, the Bangladesh Army and the illegal Bengali settlers have been attacking the indigenous Jummas (tribal) peoples in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts, CHT, Bangladesh in order to grab Chakmas’ lands. It is may be mentioned here that “jummas” in Bangladesh comprise of 11 major tribes including Chakmas, Marmas, Garos, Mizos, Tripuris, Mogs etc.

Chakma community in New Delhi organised a protest at Jantar Mantar on Feb 25.

Over a dozen indigenous Jummas, mainly Chakmas have been killed in the communal attacks. And over 400 houses and shops belonging to Jummas were burnt down.

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

About 1200 Jummas had been rendered homeless. They have been living either in forests or under the open sky as no relief and rehabilitation has been provided to the displaced persons.

The government of Bangladesh failed to contain the violence and attacks continued up to 25 February 2010. On the other hand, the Bangladesh security forces arrested over 100 indigenous tribals, some of them from government hospital where they went to receive treatment for bullet wounds, in connection with the attacks on the Jummas.

Chakma community in New Delhi organised a protest at Jantar Mantar on Feb 25. P

The Buddhist Chakma community across the world was extremely outraged by the systematic attacks on their brethren and religion and held protest rallies in different parts of the world. In South Korea many protestors were arrested and later released when they protested in front of the Bangladesh embassy in Seoul. In New Delhi over 300 Chakmas including Buddhist monks, students, professionals, and housewives gathered at Jantar Mantar on 25 February 2010 and condemned the attacks.

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

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