Continued tension in Sajek: One Jumma Killed

The illegal settlers last night kidnapped and murdered a Jumma villager in Sajek under Rangamati district. The incident comes barely nine days after a settler attack on the village of Gangaram Mukh in the area.

Sources from Khagrachari said a group of about 35 illegal settlers backed by army personnel from Baghaihat zone raided the house Jadu Moni Chakma, 55, in the village of Retkaba Doar at about 9:30 p.m. and forced him out at dagger's point.

Three of the settlers, with their faces under cover, entered the house while the others remained outside. At some distance, there were a few dozen army personnel providing protection to them.

Jadu Moni Chakma's wife was hurt when the settlers hit her with a sharp knife.

His dead body was recovered in the morning today from a place barely 40 - 45 yards from ECB army camp at Gangaram Doar. The army immediately seized the dead body and sent it to Khagrachari hospital.

Our correspondent from Khagrachari said the army personnel had cordoned off the hospital, and no Jumma had been allowed to enter it.

HWF leader Rina Dewan said "we went to see the dead body, but the army refused to allow us in."

General Secretary of the Democratic Youth Forum, Mithun Chakma, who contacted some of the villagers in Sajek after the incident, quoted eyewitnesses as saying that there were cut marks all over the body of the victim.

According to him some of the attackers have been identified as Mohammad Ali, 28, s/o Nachor Ali; Dulal, 24, s/o Noor Alam; Nurul Alam, 24, s/o Jolpu Mian and husband of Mohammad Ali's sister.

Quoting the villagers, the DYF leader further said a few days ago, these settlers had built houses on the land of Jadu Moni Chakma, but the Jummas had dismantled them.

The Hill Students Council, Hill Women's Federation and Democratic Youth Forum are scheduled to hold a protest rally on Dhaka University campus tomorrow.


chtnews.com
News No. 140/2008, August 20, 2008