Killings in Hills: Justice elusive, all along

FM Mizanur Rahaman

The conflicts among different political groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over establishing supremacy have left an estimated 600 people killed since signing of the CHT Peace Accord in 1997.

But no trial has taken place till date over those murders while the feuding groups keep pointing fingers at one another contributing to unrest in the hills and obstructing the peace process. 

Queried why the families of the victims did not see the light of justice, police and lawyers maintain that those cases remained incomplete for lack of witnesses or non cooperation from plaintiffs.

According to different political organisations in the CHT, more than 600 people, including political leaders and public representatives, were killed as a result of political rivalry in the last 21 years in the three hill districts -- Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.

Over the last six months, at least 17 people were reportedly killed in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. Of the victims, nine were from UPDF, two from PCJSS-MN Larma, four from UPDF (Democratic) and one was a UPDF supporter.

Besides, many others became victims of abduction or enforced disappearance.

Mithun Chakma, an organiser of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), was going home after appearing in court around noon on January 3, 2018. Some armed youths picked him up as he reached in front of his house in Aparna Chowdhury Para of Khagrachhari town.

While being taken away on a three-wheeler, he tried to escape but was shot dead in the busy Sluice Gate area.

UPDF, which was formed opposing the CHT Peace Accord in 1997, blamed its rival groups UPDF (Democratic) and PCJSS-MN Larma for the murder.

Six days later, Mithun's cousin Bikash Chakma filed a case with a court over the murder as police were reluctant to accept it. After the hearing, the court ordered police to register the case.

Some 17 people including leaders of PCJSS-MN Larma and UPDF (Democratic) were named as the accused. PCJSS-MN Larma held a press conference on January 11 and said this case was false and motivated, and demanded its withdrawal. Nobody has been arrested over the killing till now.

Shahadat Hossain Tito, Khagrachhari Police Station's officer-in-charge, told The Daily Star, “After filing of the case, police began investigation.” However, there is no visible headway so far, he added.

Locals say had the law enforcers taken proper action following the murder of Mithun Chakma, other killings could have been averted afterwards.

'CULTURE OF IMPUNITY'

Goutam Dewan, chairperson of Nagorik Committee of Rangamati, told this newspaper, “Armed conflict is nothing new in the CHT. But there is a culture of impunity because of negligence by law enforcement agencies and the frightening situation for the victims' families.”

He added, “The government should take steps to ensure justice for the victims and take immediate measures to restore peace in the hills.”

Rejecting the allegation of negligence, Chittagong Range DIG Md Abul Fayaz said police get into action after every incident. “But if the victims' family doesn't want to file a case or cooperate with us, how can be the perpetrators brought the book?

“If the victim's family does not want to file a case, police become the plaintiff and start investigation. But it gets difficult to find witnesses, which prolongs the investigation.

“Due to non-cooperation from plaintiffs, especially the members of victim's family, circumstantial evidence is hard to get.” He added, “It is not like that all the perpetrators are going unpunished but the number would be very low.”

Mentioning the killing of Naniarchar Upazila Parishad chairman Shaktiman Chakma on Thursday, the DIG said, “Police asked Shaktiman's wife to file a case but she refused to become the plaintiff.”

Rangamati Bar Association President Rafiqul Islam, also the public prosecutor, said, “In this type of cases, no witnesses are found. Police just have to submit final report due to the lack of witnesses and circumstantial evidence.”

He added, “Investigators need witnesses to solve a case. If there is no witness, there is no charge-sheet.”

Referring to some killings in Rangamati, he said, “The CID investigated some cases but failed to submit charge-sheets.”

“Besides,” the lawyer observed, “after any incident of killing, the victim's family members get panicked and worry over their security. So, they do not want to file any case.”

Jonok Bala, mother of Sujan Chakma, one of the five who were killed in a gun attack on Friday, told The Daily Star that they were not willing to file any case. “We have been receiving threats and feeling insecure.”

Tujim Chakma, a central member of UPDF (Democratic), said, “We think the administration does not discharge their duties properly and take any action despite a series of killings.”

Niran Chakma, member of publicity cell of UPDF led by Prasit Bikash Khisa, said, “After the killing of our men, we have seen that there is no breakthrough in investigation into the cases.

“The families also don't want to file cases fearing police harassment and complicated procedures.”

• Courtesy: The Daily Star/May 07, 2018