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Honourable Chairperson and distinguished participants, May I introduce myself to you - I am Upendra Lal Chakma, Ex-MP and Ex-Adviser to President of Bangladesh on Tribal affairs, now a refugee, sheltered in South Tripura, India. I would like to express my sincere thanks for inviting me to speak on the problems of Chakma and other indigenous peoples (Jumma) of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in this auspicious Seminar. I believe, today's seminar on the problems of the Jumma peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts, being held under the auspices of Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Sanjog Samiti, is of great significance and will be a contribution to the permanent political solution of CHT problem. I, on behalf of the suffering Jumma people of CHT, wish to express deep gratitude and thanks to humane Government of India and the great people of India for giving shelter to the Jumma refugees and the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Sanjog Samiti for such humanitarian services towards the solution of age old CHT problems. CHT is situated in the south eastern part of Bangladesh with an area of 5,138 sq. miles. It is the homeland of 10 (ten) multi-lingual national minorities of Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Bawm, Lushai, Murung, Pankho, Khiyang, Chak and Khumi. By religion, they are Buddhists, Hindus and Christians. The history of CHT reveals that it was free from foreign domination before the advent of the British. In 1787, the CHT was reduced to a tributory state. Till 1860, CHT was administered through a set of rules promulgated by the British Government from time to time. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Frontier Police Act III of 1881 was introduced in CHT for the safeguard of the Jumma people. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation 1900 (1 of 1900) was promulgated for the Jumma people of CHT which guaranteed a type of regional autonomy to the Jumma people. CHT comprising 98.5% (ninety eight point five percent) Jumma population was to form a part of Indian Dominion but due to the betrayal of Bengal Boundary Commission CHT was declared a part of Pakistan on 17th August, 1947. It is notable that the Jumma people hoisted the tri-colour Indian National flag on 15th August, 1947, in CHT till 20th August, 1947, when the Baluch Regiment of Pakistan Army entered into CHT. The Jumma people protested and demonstrated against this injustice. The leaders of CHT tried to draw the attention of the Indian national leaders and called upon them to intervene. But it was a cry in wilderness. Although the Pakistan Government did not repeal the CHT Regulation - 1900 but Pakistan Government started conspiracy to reduce CHT into a Muslim region. In view of this, Pakistan Government repealed the CHT Frontier Police Act III of 1881 in 1948. In the early 1950s and onwards the government infiltrated Muslims from outside into CHT violating the CHT Regulation - 1900. In order to break down the economic backbone of the Jumma people, in the name of industrial development the Karnaphuli Multi-purpose Hydro- electric Project was built in 1960 for which more than one hundred thousand Jumma people were uprooted and about 54,000 acres of best agricultural lands were submerged. Those displaced persons were neither compensated nor properly rehabilitated. Over and above, the Pakistan Government ceased the Tribal Area status of CHT in 1963. So most of the Jumma people felt insecured and for which about 40,000 Jumma people took refuge in India and about 20,000 took refuge in Burma in 1963-64. Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign state in 1971. During the liberation war, the Jumma people endeavoured to join the liberation war actively. MN Larma, the then MPA and his younger brother JB Larma, the present President of Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) organised the Jumma people particularly the students and the youth to take active part in the liberation war. But the Jumma people could not participate in the liberation war for some obvious reasons. Firstly, there was no strong Awami League leadership except one Syedur Rahman, the District Awami League leader who was an outsider, in collusion with the District administration out of communal hatred conspired to keep aloof the Jumma people from joining the liberation movement actively. Secondly, HT Imam, the Deputy Commissioner of CHT out of communal hatred misrepresented the Jumma people as pro-Pakistanis to the central Awami League leadership. By using the District administrative power, the Anti-Jumma HT Imam in collaboration with the District Awami League command created such a threatening situation for which the willing Jumma people dared not to join the Mukti Bahini en masse. In spite of the conspiracy of the said Syedur Rahman and HT Imam, the Jumma people supported and helped in the liberation war directly and indirectly. As such, the blame for less participation from the Jumma people in the liberation war is purely baseless and self-motivated. The Jumma people were delighted for the liberation of Bangladesh. But all their hopes and aspirations nibbed in the bud when the victorious Mukti Fauj (freedom fighters) entered the CHT and perpetrated indiscriminate mass killings, rape, tortures, arson, looting, arrests etc. on the innocent Jumma people at Panchari, Dighinala, Khagrachari, Bandarban and other places of CHT. At this the Jumma people felt seriously about their national existence. They were compelled to live in terror. Bangladesh constitution was adopted in 1972 on the basis of four principles - Nationalism, Democracy, Secularism and Socialism. Before the adoption of the constitution a delegation of Jumma leaders led by MN Larma MP, met Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and submitted a four point memorandum demanding regional autonomy with a legislature for CHT. In that delegation I was also a member. It is of great regret that Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman rejected the memorandum and advised the delegation to forget the ethnic identity and to merge with the Bengali. He also warned the delegation that if the Jumma people do not merge with the national stream of Bengali Muslims then lacs of Muslims would be sent into CHT. In this way, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his government expedited the implementation of the blue print of Pakistan in making CHT into a Muslim region. When the Bangladesh Government in order to exterminate the national entity of the Jumma people unleashed a reign of terror in CHT by killing, rape, arsoning, looting, arrests, infiltration, illegal occupation of lands, establishing cantonments etc. and when all doors for achieving the right of national existence, fundamental rights and land rights were closed by constitutional means then the JSS was compelled to take up arms and organised the Shanti Bahini to achieve the right of self-determination with the active support of the Jumma people. After the change of Awami League government, all successive governments continued the policy of reducing CHT into a Muslim region. During the regime of Ziaur Rahman, the over all situation of CHT deteriorated more seriously than the past. '{With a view to suppress the self-determination movement repressive measures were adopted by Ziaur Rahman as follows 1. Heavy deployment of Bangladesh forces. 2. Indiscriminate killing, arrests, tortures, rape, looting, arsoning, harassment etc. by letting loose its security forces. 3. Formation of Tribal Convention, a puppet organisation with opportunist reactionary government stooges to misguide the Jumma people. 4. Concentration camps such as - Jukta gram, Adarsha gram, Jukta Khamar were established. 5. Infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims in large scale into CHT. 6. Establishing of Islamic centres to Islamise the Jumma people. 7. Land grabbing and eviction of Jumma people, restriction on movement of the Jumma people, economic blockade and on selling and buying, restriction on religious performance and gathering etc. As a consequence, village after village in Bandarban, Ruma, Lama, Kaptai, Rangamati, Barkal, Langadu, Mahalchari, Matiranga, Ramgarh, Manikchari, Rajasthali, Laxmi Chari, Nania Char, Panchari areas were destroyed. On 25th March, 1980, Kaukhali Kalampati genocide was committed, many Buddhist temples were destroyed, thousands of Jumma people were rendered homeless, thousands of houses were burnt to ashes, hundreds of Jumma women were raped, hundreds of Jumma people were killed. On 26th June, 1981, Matiranga genocide was committed and about 25,000 Jumma people were compelled to take shelter in India. It is mentionable that I, as a sitting Member of Bangladesh Parliament, protested against the large scale infiltration of Bangladesh Muslims into CHT and also against the brutal genocides committed at Kalampati and Matiranga by Bangladesh forces and Muslim infiltrators. I held press conference at Sangsad (Parliament) Bhavan against these genocides demanding impartial judicial inquiry and exemplary punishment to the culprits but no justice was meted out. I tried to raise the matter before the Parliament but it was not allowed. It is also notable that I met President Ziaur Rahman several times and placed my requests for a permanent peaceful political solution of CHT problem but there was no response from him. Rather, he pressurised me to make the Shanti Bahini surrendered. There was no end to the sufferings of the Jumma people. When General HM Ershad came into power in 1982, he immediately set to implement the incomplete programme of his predecessors to change the demographic character of CHT. General Ershad and his government accelerated the infiltration programme which was initiated by the government of Ziaur Rahman, to give it a final shape. Moreover, the military junta intensified the repressive and suppressive measures and military terrorism. Besides, in order to misguide and to divide the Jumma people, it has revived the Tribal Convention and Headman Association, formed the Jana Kalyan Samiti, Marma Unnayan Sangsad, Tripura Unnayan Sangsad. The government forcibly shifted the Jumma people to concentration camps such as - Jukta gram, Adarsha gram and Jautha Khamar to detach the Jumma people from the JSS and to thwart the movement of self-determination. The Bangladesh army in collaboration with the Muslim infiltrators committed a genocide at Bhusan Chara in 1984. As a result, about 200 Jumma people were killed and wounded, hundreds of houses were looted and burnt to ashes. Thousands of Jumma people were rendered homeless and about 6,000 Jumma people had to take refuge in Mizoram, India. When all kinds of repressive measures such as - genocide, killing, communal riots, arrests, rape, looting, arsoning, economic blockade, combing operations, restriction on movement, religious persecution, land grabbing, eviction etc. using the puppet organisations failed to suppress the movement of self-determination led by the JSS, when the activities of the JSS got momentum and international pressure on Bangladesh Government increased then the Ershad government contrived another conspiracy by proposing for dialogue with the JSS. With this object a three member Liaison Committee was formed in 1984 of which I was made the convenor. The first dialogue between the Bangladesh Government and the JSS was held on 21st October, 1985, where the Bangladesh Government agreed that the problem of CHT is national and political problem and should be solved politically. The 2nd dialogue which was scheduled to be held on 25th December, 1985, and accordingly the JSS delegation attended the place of dialogue but the Bangladesh delegation remained absent which later communicated the Liaison Committee to postpone the dialogue for the reasons not specified. While a process for peaceful solution of CHT problem was going on at that moment Bangladesh Government again intensified its repressive activities and on 1st May, 1986, Bangladesh army in collaboration with Muslim infiltrators perpetrated Panchari-Khagrachari-Dighinala-Matiranga genocide. As a result, about 500 Jumma people were killed and more than 100 were missing and 50 were wounded. Many Buddhist and Hindu temples were destroyed including one Buddhist monk killed. 50,000 Jumma people were compelled to take refuge in Tripura state, India for security of life. After much efforts by the Liason Committee the 2nd dialogue took place on 17th December, 1987. The JSS placed its 5 (five) point charter of demands to the Bangladesh delegation which was returned next day on the plea that the charter of demands is inconsistent with the constitution of Bangladesh and a threat to the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh. The 3rd dialogue was held on 24, 25th January, 1988, without any fruitful result. The 4th dialogue was held on 17, 18th February, 1988, where the government delegation placed the 9 (nine) point Rupa Rakha a basis of District Council proposal as the solution for CHT problem but the JSS rejected the proposal. The 5th dialogue was held on 19th June, 1988, without any fruitful result. In the meantime, on 8-9th August, 1988, a brutal genocide was committed in Kassalong under Baghaichari P.S. by the army, Bangladesh Rifles and Muslim infiltrators in which about 100 Jumma people were killed and wounded, thousands of houses were burnt to ashes and about 15,000 Jumma people were rendered homeless. The 6th dialogue was held on 14-15th December, 1988. On repeated requests of Bangladesh Government and considering the greater interest of Bangladesh, the JSS placed its 5 (five) point charter of demands in a modified form by dropping the demand of legislature for CHT. But the modified charter of demands was also rejected by the Bangladesh Government on the plea that the demands were inconsistent with the constitution. Rather the Bangladesh delegation insisted the JSS delegation to accept the 9 (nine) point proposal. Yet it was decided to hold the 7th dialogue on 22nd February, 1989. When all the preparations were being taken for the 7th dialogue, the Bangladesh Government without any communication with the JSS, brought four bills in the Parliament on 15th February, 1989. The bills namely 1. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation - 1900 (1 of 1900) Repealment Bill, 1989. 2. Rangamati Parbattya Zilla Parishad Bill, 1989. 3. Khagrachari Parbattya Zilla Parishad Bill, 1989. 4. Bandarban Parbattya Zilla Parishad Bill, 1989. Bangladesh Government passed the bills in February, 1989, against the will and protest of the Jumma people and the JSS and thereby all doors for peaceful negotiation for the solution of CHT problem have been closed. Bangladesh Government announced the date of Zilla Parishad election to be held on 25th June, 1989. The Jumma people and the JSS lodged protest against the holding of the Zilla Parishad election but the Bangladesh Government was determined to hold Zilla Parishad election for destroying the national existence of the Jumma people. In order to make the Zilla Parishad election a success the Bangladesh Government contrived the following conspiratorial measures 1. Selection of Chairman and all Jumma and non-Jumma members of Zilla Parishad beforehand. More candidates were nominated to show that there was hard contest in the election. 2. Holding of election in those places where necessary security measures could be taken by the government. 3. To bring the Jumma voters to polling centres under compulsion few days before the election. 4. To allure the voters with cash and kind. 5. To bring diplomats and journalists in those polling centres where the presence of Jumma voters could be shown. 6. Rigging by the security forces. 7. To hold meetings with Jumma people by the local army authority in favour of the government supported candidates. 8. To use the Marma Unnayan Sangsad, Tripura Unnayan Sangsad, Tribal Convention, Jana Kalyan Samiti, Headman Association in connection with the election. 9. To enlist the infiltrators in the voters' list. In one hand Bangladesh Government implemented the above measures on the other it has intensified military terrorism. On 4th May, 1989, a genocide was committed at Langadu area by the infiltrators with the help of local army authorities and the Village Defense Party. As a result, more than hundred Jumma people were killed and wounded. More than one thousand houses were looted and burnt to ashes. Due to military terrorism and genocide about 30,000 Jumma people had to take refuge in Tripura state, India. Besides, about 1,000 took refuge in Mizoram, India but they were pushed back. Bangladesh Government held the Zilla Parishad election on 25th June, 1989, under duress and coercion whereas it is mentionable that about 75,000 Jumma people are living in India as refugees. About 10% Jumma voters have cast their votes, majority of them had to cast their votes under compulsion. On the other hand the Bangladesh Government has publicised that 60-65% voters have cast votes in the election which is totally baseless and motivated. It is worth mentioning that Bangladesh Government before placing the bills in the Parliament formed three Zilla Sanglap Committees (District Consultative Committee) in a dramatic way to misguide the Jumma people as well as world opinion. The members of these Committees were compelled to discuss with government on the proposed 9 (nine) point Rupa Rekha programme and later on compelled to accept the Draft of the District Council Act under duress and coercion. I was made the Convenor of Khagrachari District Sanglap Committee in spite of my aversion. The facts mentioned above manifest that the solution of CHT problem through dialogue was not the objective of Bangladesh Government. The dialogue was initiated only to exert influence tactfully on the JSS to accept the Zilla Parishad which is quite detrimental to the existence of the Jumma people and in no way it can be accepted on the following grounds; 1. By enactment of the Zilla Parishad Bill more than 400,000 infiltrators have been given the voting rights and legalised as bonafied residents of CHT. 2. The infiltrators have been given the right to settle and purchase of lands in CHT. 3. This Act restricted the purchase and transfer of lands from one District to another District under Rule 64 which deprived the Jumma people of their traditional land right in CHT. 4. Under this Act only one-tenth of the total area of CHT has been given under the control of Zilla Parishad. The rest area - reserved and protected forests, Kaptai Hydel Project, Bet Bunia Earth Satellite station and State industrial areas, has been kept under the control of the government. 5. No provision for the recovery of the lands forcibly and illegally occupied from the Jumma people by the Muslim infiltrators. 6. No provision for restriction on entry, settlement and expulsion of outsiders from CHT as the Jumma people have been enjoying under the CHT Regulation - 1900 (1 of 1900). 7. No such administrative power has been vested in the Zilla Parishad with regard to general administration. 8. Under this Act the Zilla Parishad has power to appoint and transfer police personnel from constable to Assistant Sub-Inspector only. 9. Under this Act the Zilla Parishad has power to appoint and transfer class three and class four employees only. 10. The Zilla Parishad has no power to appoint, transfer and control other officers of the District. 11. The government under Rule 53 of the Act can dissolve the Zilla Parishad at any moment. In that case the Zilla Parishad has no power to appeal in the court of law against this dismissal. 12. No statutory power has been vested with the Zilla Parishad. 13. The Zilla Parishad has no power to make rules, regulations and bye-laws without prior approval of the Government. 14. The Zilla Parishad has been given the very insignificant subjects such as - Primary education, Primary Health Centre, Live-stock, Social welfare, Cottage industry, observance of national days and Reception of VIPs etc. 15. The Zilla Parishad has no power to formulate its budget without approval of the government. Bangladesh Government has been making conspiracy to make the Jumma people accept the Parbattya Zilla Parishad Act through compulsion. So long I was in CHT before taking refuge in India, I had to support all the repressive programmes of the government with others under compulsion, otherwise my life would have been at stake at any moment. The problem of the CHT is a political one and it has to be solved politically. I had the opportunity to discuss on CHT problem with President Ershad when I was taken as his Adviser on Tribal Affairs. So long I was his adviser I was always under pressure to exert my influence over the Shanti Bahini and to make them surrendered. Bangladesh Government has no sincerity at all to give a permanent political settlement. It has already been proved that Bangladesh Government can not solve the problem militarily, through eviction of Jumma people and by so-called implementation of the Parbattya Zilla Parishad. The problem of CHT can be solved through the fulfillment of the 5 (five) point charter of demands of the JSS which was placed on 17th December, 1987. The present situation of CHT has aggravated more than before after the election of the Zilla Parishad. The recent communal riot at Nania Char Bazar on 15th August, 1989, in Rangamati District clearly proves the abnormal situation and ill motive of Bangladesh Government. In this riot about 25 Jumma people were killed and wounded. India is the biggest democratic country in the world. It has not only solved the ethnic problems in Nagaland, Mizoram and other states but also stood by the side of its neighbours whether it was political crisis, natural calamity, famine, economic crisis or even liberating Bangladesh. It is quite natural that problems of any neighbouring country give effect to its neighbours politically, socially and economically. So the problem of CHT also affected India through the influx of Jumma refugees. About more than 150,000 Jumma people have so far taken refuge in India since 1947. At present, about 130,000 Jumma refugees are living in Tripura State and Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is obvious that unless CHT problem is solved politically and permanently, the influx of Jumma refugees in India will not stop and the refugee problem can not be solved. It is my belief that the problem of CHT is not only a problem of Bangladesh but it has also become a problem of India. Therefore, it is my firm conviction that the compassionate and humane Government of India and its great people shall come forward in solving the CHT problem politically and permanently. I, on behalf of the Jumma people of CHT, appeal to the humanitarian Government of India and its kind hearted people to help the helpless Jumma people in achieving the right of self-determination. Before I conclude, I wish to mention here that Bharat- Bangladesh Maitri Sanjog Samiti has shown a great generosity upon me by conferring the honour of Chief Guest of this National Seminar for which I am not worthy at all. I once again would like to express my gratitude to the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Sanjog Samiti for giving me an opportunity to express the sufferings of the Jumma people and the situation prevailing in CHT. Thank you all for giving me a patient hearing. Upendra Lal Chakma 16th September, 1989 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To have a current Center For World Indigenous Studies Publication Catalogue sent to you via e-mail, send a request to jburrows@halcyon.com http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/cwiscat.html Center For World Indigenous Studies P.O. Box 2574 Olympia, WA U.S.A. 98507-2574 FAX: 360-956-1087 OCR Provided by Caere Corporation's OmniPage Professional