CHT Ex-Combatants

JSS Memmorandum to GoB- page 1

2008-11-16T12:31:00.000Z

JSS Memmorandum to GoB- page 2

2008-11-16T12:26:00.000Z

2008-11-16T12:22:00.000Z

JSS Memmorandum to GoB- page 4

2008-11-16T12:17:00.001Z

JSS Memmorandum to GoB- page 5

2008-11-16T12:12:00.000Z

JSS Memmorandum to GoB- page 6

2008-11-16T12:08:00.000Z

Plaban babu gets bail after 17 months

2008-11-16T11:34:00.001Z

‘Plaban’ is his familiar name while his actual name is Bimal Kanti Chakma. His age is about 53 years, a JSS veteran and JSS central committee member. About 17 months ago he was arrested from his home at Banjugichara of Jurochari Upazila of Rangamati Hill District. Kina Mohan Chakma from Jurochari Upazila was murdered just before the state emergency and at the height of state emergency Plaban Bau was arrested in connection of Kina Mohan murder case.

Today, there was a hearing of this case and the Rangamati Judge Court had been convinced and given him bail. Another murder case has been filed against him and it is hoped that very soon the hearing of this case will be executed. Advocate Saktiman Chakma, Advocate Protim Roy Pampu, Advocate Ushamoy Chakma stood for him as lawyers today. Advocate Saktiman is hopeful to bail Plaban Babu out from this case.

Pele is visited by JSS senior leaders from Rangamati

2008-10-13T05:57:00.001+01:00

Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma Pele who was released from Khagarachari jail after 16 months on bail has been visited by JSS senior leaders at his home at Khagarachari district headquarters. Mr. Chandra Sekhar Chakma, Central Committee Member who served three consecutive terms for 11 years for the post of General Secretary; Advocate Saktiman Chakma, Central Committee Member and Secretary for Law related Affairs of the immediate past committee; Mr. Rupayan Dewan, Central Committee Member and the Vice-President of the immediate past committee and Mr. Angshuman Chakma, Head, Political Department, Office of the President paid a two-day courtesy visit to Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma on the 9th instant. They left Rangamti in the morning of the 9th and returned Rangamati in the evening of the next day. Chandra Sekhar Chakma and Rupayan Dewan spent the night at Parjatan motel. They have found Mr. Pele morally strong for his political commitment but have felt the immediate need of medical check-up and treatment.

Moung fails to get back his BD taka 5,000

2008-10-13T04:41:00.005+01:00

Ex-combatant Mr. Moung Marma (Suman) visited Rangamati yesterday to meet Mr. Santu Larma for drawing his BD Taka 5,000 lying for the last 11 years. He has been frustrated for failing to meet Mr. Larma. He even had no money for lunch and his return journey to his home at Manikchari of Khagarachari Hill District. Finding no way he visited Mr. Rupayan Dewan and Mr. Chandra Sekhar Chakma, two JSS senior figures for money. They both have helped him return home and have food.

This is noteworthy that each ex-combatant received BD Taka 50,000 from the Government soon after their coming to over ground, for meeting up their immediate needs. And the JSS immediately raised a business fund from all of them with shares of BD Taka 5,000 each. Similarly, Moung also bought a share and now wants to get it back to negotiate his serious financial crisis. Like Moung many such ex-combatants visit Mr. Larma for the same purpose. Most unfortunately, the establishment of the promised business institution or business initiative is yet to be seen.

Moung actually came to Rangamati for getting back the share-money and also know about the latest status of the UNDP-CHTDF’s ex-combatant rehabilitation programme. This blogg published a news on Moung on 11th August this year narrating his serious financial crisis.

Pele is released

2008-09-28T15:33:00.005+01:00

Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma (55) popularly known as Major Pele was released from Khagarachari District jail on 25th instant after about 16 months. He was arrested from his home on 5th May last year on charge of extortion. He was granted bail in this case but he was shown arrested and two murder cases have been filed against him. He got bail in the extortion case and a murder case. On the 25th instant the Chief Judicial Magistrate court, Khagarachari released him from the second murder case as the police has submitted FRT. The petitioner has submitted an affidavit which has facilitated his release from Khagarachari jail on the 25th instant.

Mr. Tatindra Lal Chakma is a JSS central committee member and a former senior Shanti Bahini commander. The JSS activists, general people and Jumma refugees are hailing his release. He plans to visit Dhaka for his medical check-up and treatment.

Sraman Paramanda hails UNDP ResRep

2008-09-16T16:46:00.002+01:00

“I’m happy to know that you’ve assured Mr. Rupayan Dewan to immediately start the most cherished rehabilitation during his recent meeting with you in Dhaka.” Ex-combatant Sraman Paramananda hailed this way the commitment of Ms. Reneta Lok Dessallien, UN Resco and UNDP ResRep in his second letter written on the 10th instant. He also wished God’s blessing for Ms. Reneta’s successful career and peaceful life.

In his first letter on August 12, 2008 the Sraman depicted his life sketch to make her understand the need of rehabilitation of ex-combatants. He had narrated “The construction of Kaptai dam in sixties snatched away everything of my parents’ properties like hundreds of same fate and we had to move to Kassalong reserve forest, de-reserved for our settlement. My parents got a little land there comparing to our inundated land located south of Rangamati town. We fought against wild elephants, tigers, and other wild beasts there to clear jungle and make these ploughble at the cost of our lives and perspirations.

Ex-combatants go to the 19th floor

2008-08-22T03:56:00.001+01:00

Ms. Reneta L.Dessallien, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative reiterates her commitment to start the implementation of the CHT ex-combatants on last 19th. This reiteration comes in a meeting with Mr. Rupayan Dewan, focal person of the ex-combatants and also a Councillor of the CHT Regional Council at 15.15 hrs at 19th floor, IDB building in Dhaka.

Ms. Reneta had directed the Project Director, UNDP-CHTDF, Mr. Patrick Sweeting to receive Mr. Dewan and discuss on the issue and start the rehabilitation. Mr. Dewan, accordingly, had sat with Mr. Patrick Sweeting and Mr. Prasenjt Chakma, Chief, Policies and Confidence Building the same day at 16.30 hrs. at 7th floor, the office of the UNDP-CHTDF. There has been a very positive discussion which yielded a positive initial plan and the actual plan would be concretized in September.

In response to a question of the CHT Ex-Combatants Mr. Dewan replies “Now I am confident on the fielding of the rehabilitation programme by UNDP. Of course, the voice of the ex-combatants is a requisite condition to get quality rehabilitation.”

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

2008-08-12T15:21:00.010+01:00

“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.

Ex-Combatants send memo to UNDP

2008-08-11T16:17:00.000+01:00

A two-member team of ex-combatants visited UNDP-CHTDF Rangamati on last 10th to hand over a joint memo addressed to the Chief, Policies and Confidence Building of UNDP-CHTDF, Dhaka. The ex-combatants have handed over the memo for failing to get any response of their earlier memos from the Chief, Policies and Confidence Building. In their memos they have requested to start the rehabilitation and give them time for meeting at Rangamati, as they have not been receiving any reply of earlier memeos. The Chief, Policies and Confidence Building visits Rangamati but does not show any indication of meeting. The team will again visit the UNDP-CHTDF Rangamati to discuss the issue.

The ex-combatants are now desperate for the promised rehabilitation which expires in September 2009. Hence, they're planning to take up greater initiatives for being rehabilitated as promised by the UNDP. The Resident Representative was very repeat very positive in February and March and accordingly gave start of initial activities under the component No. 4.10, most unfortunately, it has been snapped without any explanation.

65 yrs. old former JSS activist starves

2008-08-11T14:26:00.003+01:00

Amalendu Chakma Tapesh (65)

He visited us on April 3, 2008 with a hope of getting rehabilitated through UNDP-CHTDF programme. He owns 10 acres of land in Feni valley and unfortunately, these are under the control of settlers, he claims. He served the JSS for many years as a civil worker under the Family Welfare Department and was on long leave due to health ground when the list for return to normal life was preapared. He helplessly complains that his name was not enlisted for coming to over ground through the Peace Accord and thus he does not get government free ration, and claims him as a victim of carelessness of his concerned superiors.

He is now completely helpless without any land and source of sustenance and starves when he cannot sell his labour.

Ex-Combatant Moung mortgages ration for unlimited period

2008-08-11T14:22:00.000+01:00

Moung Ghyong Marma (35), an ex-combatant from Khagarachari Hill District now survives with three children and wife by selling rice wine produced at home. Though taking of wine is permitted in the Jumma society but it is not considered as an honourable source of income.

To negotiate his wants he has been forced to mortgage his ration (100 kgs rice per month from the government) for 30,000 taka (equivalent to 508 US dollars) until he can give the money. He even has been compelled to sell his home and the tiny plot and now lives at a rented home.

He visited us for UNDP-CHTDF rehabilitation for two times since April this year.

Ex-Combatant mortgages ration for son's education

2008-08-11T14:18:00.000+01:00

Mukto Bikash Chakma (55), an ex-combatant can’t work and walk well with his bullet hit injuries in ankle, knee and right trunk. He has been forced to mortgage his government safety net ration (100 kgs rice per month) to send his son to school and sit for S.S.C. examination for 23,000 taka (equivalent to 333 US dollars) for two years. He has no any alternatives for which has been forced to mortgage the lone source of hard survival.

His son passed S.S.C. examination in last April and secured GPA 3.5. The result deserves appreciation, as he could not buy books and provide other supports for his son. He has been frustrated for not getting the promised rehabilitation neither from the government nor the UNDP. Since last January 2008 he at least visited us five times from remote area of Dighinala Upazila to enquire about the promised rehabilitation.

On July 10, 2008 he cried for our support to secure his son’s college education and a secured livelihood through UNDP-CHTDF rehabilitation programme.