Subjects, citizens and refugeesTragedy in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

(1947-1998)

Presentation based on a book

by Saradindu Mukherji

ISLAMISATION HAPPENS UNIVERSALLY

These people were compelled to leave their homesLike Hindus/Buddhist of Bangladesh,Hindu/Christians of Pakistan,Internally displaced people of India’s own Kashmir Valley American Christians by the Turkish MuslimsParsis from Islamic Iran to IndiaandCoptic Christians of Egypt.

History of CHT

• Chittagong hill tract was to be a part of India on ‘culture and religious grounds’.

• But Pakistan argued that CHT was the only source of hydro-electric power in East-Bengal.

• After CHT was given to Pakistan, the Pakistani government began settling the Bengali Muslims from other areas of East Pakistan there.

Islam brings ecological destruction

• The local people were put to clear off the Jungles and burn the plantations.

• Deforestation thus turned vast stretches of land barren, caused soil erosion, dried up water for irrigation.

• The reason for fast disappearing green coverage as found by Loffler was the military’s preference for ‘bare hills all around’.

Kaptai Dam-Ethnic Cleansing

• Kaptai dam project displaced one sixth of total indigenous population.

• It submerged 250 square miles of fertile agricultural land.

• Most of the Jummas never got compensation and 90% Jummas were left homeless and landless.

• Soon the entire villages were grabbed by the Muslim outsiders.

Shanti Bahini

• Shanti Bahini was formed in 1972 to preserve the rights of the tribal people in south-eastern Bangladesh.

• Shanti Bahini’s main demand was the prevention of infiltration of outside and regional autonomy.

• The forcible resettlement of hill people in ‘strategic villages was undertaken in order to deny civilian support to the ‘Shanti Bahini.’

“Muslims are religious and fanatical, and they are more fanatical about there

religion than about anything else.”

British High Commissioner, Karachi, 5 may 1948

Increase in Muslim Population in CHT

1872 1961 1981 Currenly0.00%5.00%

10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%40.00%45.00%50.00%

Muslim Population

Muslim Population

The Survival International

“Normally the soldiers surround a village, round up all men, women and children, and then subject them to different sort of torture. The men and the boys are shot dead or crippled by having their fingers and legs broken. Many of the victims

succumb to the injuries and those who survive become invalidated for life. They are not provided with any kind of medical treatment. Evidently the men and boys are often crippled to prevent them from holding weapons. The girls

and the housewives are raped.”

Islamisation of CHT

Persecution of CHT people by Muslims

• Muslim police reviled Buddhist monks, slaughtered a cow on their robes and sprinkled blood on a statue of the Buddha.

• Young girls and women were raped by police and army personnel.

• The disturbed Areas Law of 1981, had given the lowest ranking army and police personnel unrestricted powers to shoot anyone suspected of anti-state activities.

Massacre of Non-Muslims

• More than 300 non-Muslims were butchered at Kaukali Bazaar ground by Muslims.

• Hot water was poured into the eyes of one Jyotirmoy Diwan.

• The army personnel killed toddlers by smashing them on ground.

• Women and girls were gang raped and then massacred, houses were looted and set on fire.

Forceful Conversion

• Survival International reported that the Bangladeshi military junta devised a secret plan to force the jumma to become Muslims.

• They marry tribal girls to assimilate with tribal people.

• Some Buddhist monks were forced to perform namaz.

Based on the official secret documents (Bangladesh)

1980 19810

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

The Survival International Report(1984)

Muslim Infiltrators

Repatriation

• Jummas never wanted to return to CHT. They said ‘they would rather die of starvation and disease in India than return to CHT.’

• Still some Jummas were repatriated in 1982 and 19984.

• But they found their houses and possessions in Bengali hands. A great number died of starvation. They were subjected to inhuman torture, killing, rape,

Due to the fault of India’s foreign policy makers led by Nehru, about 40,000 Chakmas and Hajongs took shelter in NEFA(Arunachal

Pradesh)

Refugees in Arunachal Pradesh

Government of India(GOI)

• Refugees facing death out of starvation– In august 1991, the supply of milk and milk

powder was stopped– In October 1992, supply of masur dal was stopped.– In December 1992 amount paid(20 paisa) to buy

dry fish and chilly was allegedly stopped.– In January 1993, supply of edible oil was ceased.

GOI was more interested in helping Dhaka and secure its friendship

“How can we go back when our Minister Oli Ahmad, made it clear during his last visit here

that the Bangladesh Government does not gain if the refugees return, nor it lose anything if we

do not?’

The statesman, 9 August 1993. ‘Chakma Hesitancy’

• Perhaps first and the last occasion when in 1971 India took up the cause of the Non-Muslim minorities in the neighboring.

• Government of India considered it inappropriate to publicize the plight of CHT victims.