Kanchana Chakma

Like the current year, last year on this day, that is 6 August 2024, there was some light rain. The day before that, on 5 August 2024, the country’s fascist government was overthrown by a student-public uprising and the Prime Minister of that government was forced to flee the country. There was still unrest and instability throughout the country. At that time, it was learnt from a confidential source that the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), an anti-CHT Accord and armed terrorist organization, had planned to attack the leaders and activists of the PCJSS and its affiliates in collusion with the banned militant organization ‘Harkatul Jihad Al Islami Bangladesh’. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was proposed to occupy the Hill District Council and the residence of Dipankar Talukdar and surround the residence of the Chairman of the Regional Council, Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma (Santu Larma) Sir and force him to flee like Hasina. However, it was known that BNP, knowing the kinds of their activities, rejected their poor proposal.

The morning dawned with the sound of birds chirping. Some sunshine, some clouds. Soon after, well-wishers from various villages started informing that the UPDF men were threatening them that one person from each family would have to attend the rally, or they would have to present themselves to them with 1 (one) kg of dried shark fish (It is a symbolic threatening of killing), a fine of fifty thousand taka, and a spade (That is used for burying).

UPDF terrorists, with a pre-plan to attack the residence of the Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council in Rangamati and to kill people, forcibly and at gunpoint brought thousands of ordinary people from areas such as Kaukhali, Ghagra, Kutukchari, Sapchari, Nanyachar, Bandhukbhanga, etc. in Rangamati district, armed with locally made weapons, bricks, slingshots, and sticks.

Later, to maintain stability in Rangamati town and in the greater interest of the Jumma people, we took a stand with two teams from the Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chatra Parishad and the Hill Women’s Federation to stop them with discipline in our respective areas, because anarchy could arise in Rangamati. The Bengali settlers could take the opportunity to cause communal riots. The situation is already chaotic.

Then at 9 am, 25 of us went to a place called Shimultali, Rangamati Radio Center. At approximately 3 pm, after waiting for a long time, we thought that they would not come that day. Just when we were thinking of returning, 25 to 26 vehicles came towards us with various provocative slogans. Except for 20 to 30 UPDF workers, all the other people there were ordinary Jum farmers. They were brought there by force and intimidation. So we asked them to stop as soon as they arrived. We talked to them for a long time. At one stage, we explained softly that you cannot go, go back to where you came from. We do not want there to be a fight between brothers here. Later, they also agreed to go to their own place. But at that time, two army pickups arrived there. Then the UPDF workers were called aside and the army men talked to them. Immediately after talking, the UPDF leaders and activists changed their minds and started arguing with us that they would hold a rally in Rangamati, who would dare stop them.

Considering the situation, we were forced to allow them to go. Because we were informed that the army members would take them away with security. Later, when they were leaving, they were saying on video calls, look, we have come and occupied their place, they are unable to do anything, they are standing like dogs (huguro sanne darei agande shuyoro chagun), and many other provocative words.

Then the army vehicles went ahead, and the UPDF vehicles stopped a little ahead and suddenly started throwing bricks and stones at us. They beat whoever they found, be it a boy or a girl. I was one of the victims of the mob beating.

20-30 male UPDF terrorists beat me in public with bricks, sticks, and sharp weapons. During this time, the terrorists brutally kicked me in the stomach, buttocks, and chest, and even took off my clothes and hit me on the back. After beating me for a long time, they dragged me into a vehicle and there I saw one of my fellow fighters (Susti Chakma) being beaten and put in the vehicle. Susti Chakma was also beaten repeatedly by 10-12 male UPDF terrorists. They hit me all over the body, including the head, with bricks, sticks, and wood. They also hit us on sensitive parts of both our bodies.

They started beating us both in the vehicle, abusing us in various ways, and at one point a boy named Shuvo started looking for a gun to kill us. Later we came to know that their armed members were also present at the spot and that the army members, despite knowing everything, had instigated the incident to happen in Rangamati.

Then, unconscious, we were taken in the vehicle at gunpoint to a remote place across Manikchari-Ghagra towards Kaukhali. That night, we were told to deposit any money or mobile phone, and that if we lied, there would be terrible consequences. Then I said that we did not have any money or mobile phone. And if you can achieve full autonomy by killing us, then kill us, no problem. Because we are not afraid of death.

The next day, on 7 August 2024, they alleged that we had contacted the army by phone. On that pretext, they then took off our clothes and searched them, but found nothing. My colleague and I were unable to walk due to the beating. Then, at 10 pm, we were taken to a stream on foot for about 2 hours and 45 minutes. We were not given any primary treatment or food.

After going there, they came to know from more specific sources that I had undergone military training. Because how am I still strong after being stripped naked by 25-26 boys, beaten with sticks, injured in various parts of my body, even touched on my chest, and unbuttoned my pants? The leaders and activists of UPDF were then spreading false rumors about us on various social media. Which is their common character. They dragged us away and spread the news that we had mistakenly got into their vehicle.

Then on August 8, 2024, the two of us were spoken to separately, videotaped and forced to say that the leadership had made a big mistake by sending us to a place of death trap. Yes or no. I said then, how can I accept that you are going to demolish Santu Larma Sir’s residence? That falls into your stubborn decision. Then they said, your Santu Larma sir is in already fragile conditions, it won’t take Saturday or Sunday to demolish his residence. And when I asked, what will you do if you get the news that we are going to demolish your Prasit Khisa’s house? Then they could not give that answer properly there.

I witnessed my own death up close every second of those three days, from August 6, 2024 to August 9, 2024, by the UPDF. I still remember that day when I see the scars of the beatings.

Finally, with the strong voice of struggle, we are still engaged in the movement for the implementation of the CHT Accord on the streets. No reactionary force in the hills and the ruling groups will be able to suppress us. As the saying goes, the best steel has to go through the hottest fire. Therefore, the will and its solidarity are the greatest strength of a person.

Author: Information, Publicity and Publications Secretary, Hill Women’s Federation, Rangamati District Committee.