CHT Issues

The amount of human rights violence occurring in the CHT is simply incredible! And yet nobody says anything. The word junk is referred to the government of this country who literally sits home eating ‘MURIS’ instead of fulfilling its duties. Either the government is a coward or has no sense of humanity. I figured only when they are intimidated, they react. Otherwise nothing happens. However, the opposition is more deluded. Hence, FACEPALM!

The CHT accord remained highly unimplemented causing the continuation of the violation of Human Rights, Conflicts and Military Control. Recently Indigenous People were evicted by the religious group to set up a meditation center; mosques were also built causing people’s lives to be ruined. Seriously, what would the people do with it? In the year 2011, at least 8 massive communal attacks have been made upon the Indigenous Peoples committed by the settlers with direct or indirect collaboration from the security forces. 137 houses were burnt and some were looted. Yet these were not written in any newspaper! What a shame! The question is why would the Settlers have the courage to do such a gruesome thing? Are they retarded or the military provoking them to do so? Somehow these incidents remind me of the communal attacks by the majority on the Hindu minorities in the 90s which seem to be repeating again as they recently burnt hindu houses and mandirs. It certainly looks like the majority shall continue to rape the minority. This proves that the word ‘justice’ seems to be missing in the government’s dictionary.

Moreover there are some ‘ridiculous’ rules in the CHT which are made by the government in the name of ‘higher security measures’ imposing restriction on travel and activities of foreigners visiting CHT. Foreigners would have to inform the Deputy Commissioner about their visit. There are also instructions which prohibit foreigners on holding discussions with the indigenous people. These rules are like a wall which deprives people of knowing the truth. In 2012, an American was told to leave Bandarban after having spoken to an indigenous paper and people which was deemed to be ‘SUSPICIOUS’ in nature. Although the local indigenous organization complained about these ‘rules’ and ‘military’ stating it affects the work of organizations who are working for socio-economic development of Indigenous Peoples, there seemed to be no reaction. so again FACEPALM! It also created fear among the residents resulting difficulty for human rights activists to work. What are the military so scared of? Isn’t it the responsibility of the military to serve the people? Shouldn’t the government act as the servant of the people instead of acting like a monarch? That’s the meaning of government, isn’t it!

Forcible land grabbing by the mainstream population and eviction of Indigenous Peoples from their ancestral land remains to be the SCENARIO. Interests in lands are one of the key factors behind the violence on Indigenous Women. In order to stop such unrest, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs adopted National Women Development Policy incorporating provisions on Indigenous Women but used the term ‘backward and small ethnic groups’. This policy ensures the right for development of ‘Backward groups’ along with maintaining their own tradition and culture and also provides programs for them. However the government did not consult with the indigenous women’s rights activists during its formulation proving that the policy failed to provide adequate safeguards of Indigenous Women facing discrimination from the women of the mainstream population.

In the end, AGAIN FACEPALM!

By Jojo