Communal attack made by Bengali settlers in Mahalchari
On 14/01/2006 at around 7.30 p.m. Bengali settlers with the help of army made attack on an indigenous Jumma village named Jamtala Kala Pahar area under Mahalchari upazila in Khagrachari district. In this attack, the Bengali settlers destroyed Jumma houses and looted valuables of houses. It is learnt that at around 6.00 p.m. some unidentified miscreants tried to halt Md. Jasim, member of Maischari Union Council while returning back home from Khagrachari town by motorcycle along with three accompanies. The miscreants failed to halt Md. Jasim but could hit on his head. Md. Jasim got slight injury and could reach at cluster village. Soon after reaching at cluster village, he shouted, “Help me, help me, Jumma people attacked Bengali people at Kala Pahar area”. Receiving this news, the Bengali settlers announced by loudspeaker, “Come forward, come forward, Jumma people attacked Bengali people”. Without any enquiry, Bengali settlers gathered with sharp metal weapons and then attacked Jumma houses of Jamtala Kala Pahar area. Jumma villagers could narrowly escape. The Bengali settlers destroyed Jumma houses including following four houses and looted valuables:
1) Mr. Dipanta Chakma s/o Nishi Kumar Chakma of Kala Pahar of West Kiang Ghat. One sewing machine, two bags including valuable clots and Taka 4,500, two indigenous blankets, 27 Kgs of rice etc were looted and house was destroyed.
2) Mr. Bodhipriya Chakma s/o Nana Chakma of same village. One 6 inches black/white television, Taka 1,200, four indigenous blankets, one wall clock, 15 kgs of rice, clots were looted and houes was destroyed.
3) Mrs. Niharika Chakma of Jamtali village. One 14 inches black/white television, one dressing glass, one table clock, one 12V battery etc were looted.
4) Ms. Basana Chakma. Taka 1,200 were looted.
At mid-night a group of army led by Lt. Colonel Shams rushed at the house of Mr. Sajai Marma, Chairman of Maischari union and ordered him to attend the meeting along with local leaders to be held at Wadud Bhuiyan High School of Joy Sen Karbari Para under Mahalchari upazila on next day (15 January). Brigade commander of Khagrachari brigade also attended the meeting. Brigade Commander formed a 6-member enquiry committee headed by Mr. Sajai Marma where two members were Bengali settlers.
On the other, on that day the army led by Captain Mesbauddin of Deppuchari camp under Mahalchari upazila ordered following Jumma villagers not to construct house. He threatened that 50 houses of Bengali settlers would be constructed if one Jumma house is constructed. It is mentionable that the army helped Bengali settlers in constructing house on Jumma people’s land in order to forceful occupation. On the contrary, they opposed Jumma villagers. The victims were:
1) Mr. Sneha Kumar Chakma s/o late Kunjanath Chakma of South Joy Sen Para of Lemuchari mouza;
2) Mr. Riprue Marma s/o Remrachai Marma of Paishe Mahajan Para of Lemuchari mouza in Mahalchari upazila.
