Aug 05, 2004

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Indigenous Family slain In Bangladesh


On 3 August 2004, Muslim Bengali settlers from Kalabanya of Aimachara Union under Barkal Thana slain an indigenous family of Dhandachara village of Bhushanchara Union under Barkal Thana in Rangamati hill district while forcibly occupying its land
On 3 August 2004, Muslim Bengali settlers from Kalabanya of Aimachara Union under Barkal Thana slain an indigenous family of Dhandachara village of Bhushanchara Union under Barkal Thana in Rangamati hill district while forcibly occupying its land.

At around 11 p.m. about 50 Muslim Bengali settlers led by Shuhidul, Ibrahim, Imdad and Union Parishad member Tamir Ali committed a brutal attack on Mr. Barun Kumar Chakma (33), son of late Dina Mohan Chakma, and his family members with sharp knife and spear. Mr. Chakma died on the spot.

Next day on 4 August, around 11 a.m. his wife Ms. Subarna Chakma (28) and 11-month old son were brought to Rangamati - about 50 miles away from the victims’ village - and admitted to the Rangamati sadar hospital with serious injuries. After 4 hours of their admission, Ms. Subarna died in the hospital, and Kampan Chakma was referred to the Chittagong Medical College hospital.
Ms. Subarna Chakma was chopped off at her head, throat, back, legs and hands, while her son was chopped off at his right leg (see photo attached).

Soon after the incident, some indigenous villagers informed the authorities of the nearest Bumpy Land police station of the tragedy. But the authorities remained silent!

11-month old Kampan Chakma, the only survivor of the slain Buddhist family, is struggling for life in the hospital. He is in crying need of medical and humanitarian assistance.

It is worth mentioning that Dina Mohan Chakma, father of the slain Barun Kumar Chakma, was also killed in a genocide committed by Muslim Bengali settlers in cahoots with Bangladesh military in Bhushanchara in 1984. More than 200 indigenous people were slaughtered in the genocide. But no perpetrators were brought to justice.