An indigenous woman allegedly assaulted, raped and looted by Bengali settlers in Longadu
On 28 April 2012 at about 3:30 pm an indigenous woman named Ms. Alpana Chakma alias Kalabi (45) wife of Kaladhan Chakma of village- Jarulchara of Gulshakhali union under Longadu upazila in Rangamati district was allegedly assaulted, looted and raped by Bengali settlers. The victim was seriously wounded and admitted to Rabeta hospital in Longadu upazila with senseless condition.
It is learnt that on this day at about 3:15 pm victim Alpana Chakma left home for nearby Gulshakhali Bazaar area of Gulshakhali union. At around 3:30 pm when she reached the Jarulchara area, half of the way to Gulshakhali bazaar, two Bengali settlers halted her. Immediately after that the Bengali settlers began to assault her with sharp metal weapons. In the assault, she was deeply wounded on the left side of her head, seriously hit all around the body. Besides, the Bengali settlers also looted golden necklace, nose-ring, cash taka 5300 from her.
At a stage of assault, hearing the shouting of the victim, Jumma villagers from nearby area namely Bidhan Bikash Chakma, Alo Bikash Chakma, Dipta Chakma and Sonayan Chakma rushed to the spot and found the woman screaming lying on the ground. Then they rapidly took her to Rabeta hospital of Longadu upazila headquarter. At that time, the victim became senseless and was admitted to Rabeta hospital. The victim confirmed the rescuers that the she was raped by the culprits.
It is also mentionable that as per the rescuers the victim could identify one of the culprits who belongs to Bengali settlers of Gulshakhali Choumuhani settler area.
It is learnt that in the evening, vice chairman of Longadu upazila parishad Mr. Janey Alam, chairman of Atarakchara union Mr. Mangal Kanti Chakma, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Longadu police station Rejaul Haque, among others, visited the victim at hospital.
Till preparing the report, none was arrested by police and a case filing was under process in this connection.
It is mentionable that the Bengali settlers who were brought from plain lands and settled down at Gulshakhali, Bogachadar and Kalapagujya areas under Longadu upazila in 1980s have been trying to grab the lands of Jumma people. As a part of this attempt, the following two massive attacks, among others, are most remarkable-
On 17 February 2011 Bengali settlers in collaboration with Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) (formerly BDR) made a massive communal attack on Jumma villages of Gulshakhali and Rangi Para areas. At least 23 houses of Jumma villagers including one BRAC school and 3 tobacco ovens were reportedly burnt to ashes in the attack while two Jumma students were seriously injured. Huge valuables were looted by Bengali settlers before setting fire on the houses.
Earlier, on 21 December 2010 the Bengali settlers made attack on Jumma village of Shanti Nagar and inhumanly beat 14 Jumma villagers and ransacked 5 houses motivatedly alleging Jumma villagers to beat a Bengali settler who went to jungle to collect firewood.
