A journey of an ex-combatant: from Sijak jungle to old home and then to temple

“We’ve sacrificed our lives for a noble cause, have deposited our arms and ammunitions as per Peace Accord. But now neither the government nor the UNDP is honouring their commitments for our cherished rehabilitation and no body cares our unbearable difficulties."
__ Sraman Paramananda


Bimal Chakma (71 yrs), an ex-combatant turns to Sraman Paramanada by taking Buddhist robes due to his helplessness. He comes from Sijak jungle to Rangamati town for coming close to leadership and concerned quarters to monitor the progress of promised rehabilitation. Because of his old age he gets a seat at BOSHIPUK, the lone old home at Rangamati town, runs by a generous industrialist from Dhaka.Recently imposed strict discipline at the old home bars his communication with outer world and hence, has decided to take robe as Samanera, first stage of Buddhist monkship at Parami Buddhist temple, Tribal Adam, Rangamati. He visited us in the evening to enquire about the progress of UNDP rehabilitation programme and expressed his unhappiness for not getting any response from the UNDP.

He believes that in the present context the serious commitment of the leadership and the CHT Ministry can rehabilitate the ex-combatants without any delay. He is also alarmed that the UNDP project which commits for his rehabilitation expires in September 2009. And hence, demands the immediate fielding of this project by the UNDP and draws the attention of the UNDP head in Dhaka. In this regard, he also draws the kind attention of the concerned donors for their involvement.