Violence against indigenous Jumma women by Bengali settlers continues in CHT
Violence against indigenous Jumma women, such as, rape, killing and kidnapping etc. are being reported regularly in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The biggest concern in rape and other violence against indigenous women in CHT is the lack of access to justice and absolute impunity that perpetrators enjoy. From January 2007 to February 2012, at least 51 incidents of violence against indigenous women in CHT were reported. In these incidents, 66 indigenous women were victimized. Of them, 6 Jumma women were reportedly killed after rape in addition to 31 women were raped. Besides, 24 Jumma women were attempted to rape and 5 women were abducted. Recent violence against indigenous Jumma women is as follows:
Indigenous Tripura woman with speech disability raped by Bengali settlers in Matiranga
On 25 April 2012 a 40-year old indigenous Tripura woman with speech disability was raped by two Bengali settlers at Kiran Master Para of Bamagumti mouza under Matiranga upazila in Khagrachari district.
It is learnt that the victim from Babu Para of Matiranga upazila headquarters went to the house of her uncle Kiran Tripura, a teacher of Apurna Mahajan Para Registered Primary school under Bamagumti mouza. On that day, Kiran Tripura and his family were away to attend his father-in-law’s funeral in another village.
Two Bengali settlers namely Oli Ahmed alias Olia (38) son of Abdul Matin and Zinnat Ali (35) son of Abdul Aziz, both of them from West Gorgoria Chouddhagram of Bama Gomati mouza had gone to the house of Kiron Tripura and finding victim alone, dragged her forcibly to nearest jungle and raped her there. Victim’s father Tirtho Kumar Tripura is a poor jum cultivator.
No case was filed with the police so far. It is learnt that the next day on 26 April an arbitration was held at Gomati Government Primary School ground in which the rapists– Oli Ahmed alias Olia and Zinat Ali– were found guilty of the offence and punished with a few lashes and a fine of Taka 15,000. As no cases were filed against them, the police did not arrest them.
Among those present at the arbitration were Shamshul Haq, chairman of Matiranga Upazila; Mansur Ali, chairman of Gomati Union; Nurul Islam, chairman of Belchari Union, Anil Bikash Roaza, Headman of 187 Gojaria Mouza and Bhaggyo Dhan Tripura, convenor of Awami League Gomati Union committee.
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Indigenous Jumma girl raped by a Bengali settler in Manikchari
On 14 April 2012 a 15-year indigenous Tripura girl of Adabari village of Jogyachala union under Manikchari upazila in Khagrachari district was raped by a Bengali settler at a hotel in Matiranga upazila.
It is learnt that the victim has an acquaintance with a Bengali youth from Chittagong who introduced his name as Durjoy and as follower of Hinduism and worker of garment factory. At a stage, on 14 April Mr. Durjoy proposed victim to go Chittagong for finding out a job at garment factory. While the victim agreed, on 14 April Mr. Durjoy first took her to Matiranga upazila headquarters and kept her at a hotel for a night and forcibly raped her there. Next day, they left Matiranga for Chittagong town, but Mr. Durjoy fled leaving victim alone when they reached at Hathazari area under Chittagong district. As victim had no penny, she sold her earring for bus fare and returned on that day.
It is learnt that arbitration was held at Adabari village, but the victim could not able to give any information about Bengali youth.
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Indigenous Marma girl kidnapped by Bengali settler in Kaukhali
On 17 April 2012 a 14-year old indigenous Marma girl was reportedly kidnapped by a Bengali settler from Kaukhali upazila in Rangamati district.
It is learnt that on that day the victim went to Betbunia under Kaukhali upazila to enjoy Sangrai water festival. During her way back home from Betbunia, a Bengali youth named Md. Sohel alias Solaiman (25) kidnapped the victim. Soon after abduction, victim’s uncle Mr. Suila Mong Marma, a professional football player in Dhaka, informed local administration. Md. Motaleb, a member of ward no. 1 of Ghagra union under Kaukhali upazila, assured victim’s uncle to find out the victim and perpetrator. At a stage, they seized the victim along with Md. Sohel alias Solaiman (25) from Maizdi area of Noakhali district on 20 April 2012 and handed over them to Kaukhali police station on 21 April.
The victim’s uncle Mr. Suila Mong Marma filed a case against Md. Sohel alias Solaiman with Kaukhali police station under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2001.
It is learnt that the victim lived with her uncle Mr. Suila Mong Marma at Kaukhali upazila headquarters and is daughter of Ushaila Marma of Bortali village under Kalampati union in Kaukhali upazila.
