bdnews24.com :
Conflicts between different groups in Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) has led to the death of 18 people in 5 months despite hopes that the two-decade-old peace accord would end bloodshed in the region.
Conflict prevails between at least four active groups in the Hill Tracts which were once part of a single organisation called Chattogram Hill Tracts Jana Sanghati Samity or JSS.
The conflict has resulted in the death of six people in last two days.
“The government is serious about the armed activity and murders by local groups; we’ll take measures according to the government’s directions,” said Superintendent of Police in Rangamati Alamgir Kabir.
The United People’s Democratic Front or UPDF is another group in the Hill Tracts that emerged in 1997, opposing the peace accord between the government and JSS led by Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma.
There has been little respite from the conflict despite the informal treaty made between the two groups in 2016. At least a thousand of leaders and activists have died in the conflicts between two groups since then.
New avenues of conflict have opened up since the JSS and UPDF splintered, creating two more groups– JSS led by MN Larma and UPDF Democratic.
In December 2017, JSS President Santu Larma had threatened that violence in the Hill Tracts would increase if the Peace Accord is not implemented on time.
Two days following his announcement Anadhi Ranjan Chakma (55), an Union Parishad member and UPDF, was killed.
Anadhi was called out from his home in Chiranjib Dojorpara in Naniarchar and shot to death.
Arabinda Chakma, organisational secretary of Upazila Awami League in Jurachhari, Rangamati was shot dead on the same day as Anadhi.
Awami League maintained that the JSS led by Santu Larma was responsible for the killing. The same day, the Vice-President of Upazila Awami League in Bilaichhari Russel Marma was severely injured by assailants.
A day later, Jharna Kheesa, Vice-President of District Women Awami League in Rangamati was attacked and injured at her residence.
UPDF activist Anal Bikash Chakma was shot dead on Dec 16, which UPDF attributed to its new faction.
On Jan 3, Bishawrai Tanchanga, organisational seceretary of Jubo League was shot and injured. The Jubo League said the JSS was responsible.
Top UPDF leader Mithun Chakma was shot dead on Jan 3. UPDF had accused UPDF Democratic of the murder.
Awami League accused the JSS led by Santu Larma when three of its activists were attacked causing serious injuries in Bilaichhari on Jan 30.
Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League called a strike when one of its leaders, Supayan Chakma was beaten by activists of the Hill Tracts Student Council on Feb 12.
Another UPDF activist Subhash Chakma was shot dead in Dighinala, Khagrachhari on Feb 21.
UPDF activists Dilip Kumar Chakma was shot dead on Feb 17 while another activist, Natun Mani Chakma, was murdered on Mar 11.
United People’s Democratic Front or UPDF leader Monty Chakma and Dayasona Chakma had been abducted on Marh 18 from a household in Kutukchhari, Rangamati. They were released after 32 days on Apr 19. UPDF accused APDF Democratic for the incident.
At least three people were killed in attack and counter-attack between tge groups on Apr 12.
Another four activists of UPDF were killed in Naniarchar in Rangamati.
Conflict between two fractions of UPDF led to the death of Surjo Bikash Chakma in Khagrachhari on Apr 16.
UPDF leader Sunil Bikash Tripura was killed in a shootout at Panchhari Upazila in Khagrachhari on Apr 22.
Rangamati Naniarchar Upazila Chairman and JSS (MN Larma) fraction leader Shaktiman Chakma was shot dead in front his office while another leader, Rupom Chakma, was shot and injured.
On May 4, at least 5 people were killed in an armed attack on their way to the funeral of Shaktiman Chakma. The deceased included the top leaders of UPDF Democratic Tapan Jyoti Barma, Sujon Chakma, Setulal Chakma and their driver Sajib.
Conflicts between different groups in Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) has led to the death of 18 people in 5 months despite hopes that the two-decade-old peace accord would end bloodshed in the region.
Conflict prevails between at least four active groups in the Hill Tracts which were once part of a single organisation called Chattogram Hill Tracts Jana Sanghati Samity or JSS.
The conflict has resulted in the death of six people in last two days.
“The government is serious about the armed activity and murders by local groups; we’ll take measures according to the government’s directions,” said Superintendent of Police in Rangamati Alamgir Kabir.
The United People’s Democratic Front or UPDF is another group in the Hill Tracts that emerged in 1997, opposing the peace accord between the government and JSS led by Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma.
There has been little respite from the conflict despite the informal treaty made between the two groups in 2016. At least a thousand of leaders and activists have died in the conflicts between two groups since then.
New avenues of conflict have opened up since the JSS and UPDF splintered, creating two more groups– JSS led by MN Larma and UPDF Democratic.
In December 2017, JSS President Santu Larma had threatened that violence in the Hill Tracts would increase if the Peace Accord is not implemented on time.
Two days following his announcement Anadhi Ranjan Chakma (55), an Union Parishad member and UPDF, was killed.
Anadhi was called out from his home in Chiranjib Dojorpara in Naniarchar and shot to death.
Arabinda Chakma, organisational secretary of Upazila Awami League in Jurachhari, Rangamati was shot dead on the same day as Anadhi.
Awami League maintained that the JSS led by Santu Larma was responsible for the killing. The same day, the Vice-President of Upazila Awami League in Bilaichhari Russel Marma was severely injured by assailants.
A day later, Jharna Kheesa, Vice-President of District Women Awami League in Rangamati was attacked and injured at her residence.
UPDF activist Anal Bikash Chakma was shot dead on Dec 16, which UPDF attributed to its new faction.
On Jan 3, Bishawrai Tanchanga, organisational seceretary of Jubo League was shot and injured. The Jubo League said the JSS was responsible.
Top UPDF leader Mithun Chakma was shot dead on Jan 3. UPDF had accused UPDF Democratic of the murder.
Awami League accused the JSS led by Santu Larma when three of its activists were attacked causing serious injuries in Bilaichhari on Jan 30.
Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League called a strike when one of its leaders, Supayan Chakma was beaten by activists of the Hill Tracts Student Council on Feb 12.
Another UPDF activist Subhash Chakma was shot dead in Dighinala, Khagrachhari on Feb 21.
UPDF activists Dilip Kumar Chakma was shot dead on Feb 17 while another activist, Natun Mani Chakma, was murdered on Mar 11.
United People’s Democratic Front or UPDF leader Monty Chakma and Dayasona Chakma had been abducted on Marh 18 from a household in Kutukchhari, Rangamati. They were released after 32 days on Apr 19. UPDF accused APDF Democratic for the incident.
At least three people were killed in attack and counter-attack between tge groups on Apr 12.
Another four activists of UPDF were killed in Naniarchar in Rangamati.
Conflict between two fractions of UPDF led to the death of Surjo Bikash Chakma in Khagrachhari on Apr 16.
UPDF leader Sunil Bikash Tripura was killed in a shootout at Panchhari Upazila in Khagrachhari on Apr 22.
Rangamati Naniarchar Upazila Chairman and JSS (MN Larma) fraction leader Shaktiman Chakma was shot dead in front his office while another leader, Rupom Chakma, was shot and injured.
On May 4, at least 5 people were killed in an armed attack on their way to the funeral of Shaktiman Chakma. The deceased included the top leaders of UPDF Democratic Tapan Jyoti Barma, Sujon Chakma, Setulal Chakma and their driver Sajib.
