Ministry of Foreign Affairs major changed

Rangamati, July 11, 2009 (UJI): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh major shake-up including new Foreign Secretary and a number of new Ambassadors and High Commissioners.

Mijarul Quayes is taking over as Foreign Secretary, Touhid Hossain appointed Principal of the Foreign Service Academy, Humayun Kabir to Canada as an Ambassador, Ahmed Tariq Karim will go to India as High Commissioner on a two-year contract and Gyashuddin appointed as ambassador to Germany.

The new diplomats, who are posting as envoy, include AKM Atiqur Rahman, Supradip Chakma, Imtiaz Ahmed and Major General Anup Kumar Chakma. Atiqur Rahman appointed High Commissioner to Malaysia, Supradip Chakma is to be High Commissioner to Vietnam, Imtiaz Ahmed appointed to Sweden as High Commissioner and Major General Anup Kumar Chakma Ambassador to Myanmar.

AAPSU files PIL against the Election Commission’s guideline

Gauhati, July 11, 2009 (UJI): On June 9, 2009 last, the All Arunachal Pradesh Student Union (AAPSU) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the Gauhati High Court against the Election Commission’s guidelines terming that the Chakma refugees of Arunachal Pradesh (AP) included in the electoral roll as illegal. On 23 March 2005, the Election Commission of India passed specific guidelines (No 23/ARUN/2004-PLN-II) for enrollment of the eligible Chakma and Hajong voters during Intensive Revision.

In the PIL stated that the Election Commission not only trying to include those refugees who had entered India in 1964-65 and their descendants, but also those who have come thereafter to the state.

The AAPSU also accused to Mr. Dorjee Khandu, Chief Minister of AP and his Government that trying to help the refugees. Mr. Doorje was sworn on April 9, 2007 as 5th Chief Minister. He belongs to Monpa Buddhist indigenous tribe of hilly state.

The Supreme Court order in between the National Human Rights Commission vs. State Government of AP which issued on 9 January 1996 that the Court's decision included three mandates: (1) the end to illegal evictions of Chakmas and Hajongs from their homes; (2) the protection--by paramilitary means if necessary--of Chakmas and Hajongs from threats by citizen groups; and (3) the termination of any substantive role for local administrators in deciding the citizenship status of Chakmas and Hajongs.

In the mean times, Mr. Subimal Bikash Chakma, Mr. Ajay Sen Chakma and Mr. Santosh Chakma on behalf of the Citizenship Demand Right Committee for Chakmas and Hajongs (CDRCCH), moved toward the Gauhati High Court in order to assist and support in all possible regards to the Election Commission.

Mr. Subimal Bikash Chakma, President of the CDRCCH, appealed to all National and International Human Rights Organizations and groups that for asking humanitarian justices who are suffering as stateless for about last 45 years and also by the barbarian AAPSU activists backed by the dictatorship and narrow minded political leader Mr. Gegong Apang.

He also appealed to the International Chakma community, who are residing different corner of the globe for asking support and assist, especially finance to move at the Gauhati High Court in order to protect about 80, 000 (approximately) the innocent Chakmas and Hajongs of AP.

Land Commission fails to get green light
By Shanti Moy Chakma

Rangamati, July 11, 2009 (UJI): The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord still uncertain to full implementation. The Land Commission formed to resolve land disputes in CHT by the Awami League Government in 1998. A five-member Land Commission that Chief justice serves as Chairman while Chairman of the CHT Regional Council or his representative and an additional Commissioner work as its members.

Depending on the area the Commission works, one of the three Circle Chiefs (Chakma, Bomang, and Moung Circle) and one of the Chairman of the three hill district council’s work as members of the Commission.

As the former successive governments failed to take proper steps to make the commission functional, land settlement process faces serious hindrance and a large number of applications from both Bengali infiltrators and Indigenous people have remained piled up at the offices of concerned Circle Chiefs and Deputy Commissioners.

With thousands of land related cases in the courts of three hill districts remaining unresolved, land dispute has become a most complicated issue in the CHT.

Steps should be taken to make the Land Commission functional to resolve land disputes and it is a must for full execution of the Peace Accord. Meanwhile the posts of Chairman, Secretary and Registrar of the Commission are currently lying vacant.

During past BNP-led four-party alliance rule, the Land Ministry issued a directive to the Upazila Nirbahi Officers in CHT for preparation of necessary documents to give indigenous people ownership of the land that they have been cultivating for long. But it was later cancelled through an order from the CHT Affairs Ministry, sources said.

Former Land Commission Secretary Dipen Dewan, who was also a joint district judge, said he had completed preparations to recruit manpower for the Commission but it could not be done due to what he said non-cooperation of the then Chairman of the Commission.

Mr. Ushatan Talukder, a leading top leader of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), said, “We submitted a proposal to the government for bringing reforms into the Land Commission to make it functional but to no effect.”

The State Minister for CHT Affairs Ministry, Mr. Dipankar Talukder said the government is aware of the problems and the steps to resolve issues are “under process”.

Dr. Bhumitra Chakma receive higher Scholarship

Washington, July 11, 2009 (WWIC): The President and Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center (WWIC) Lee H. Hamilton announced recently that 24 scholars have been selected for 2009-2010 fellowship class at the Centre. The scholars are mostly from the United States, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Israel, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. They are arriving in September for their academic session.

Dr. Bhumitra Chakma also selected in the list and he is representing from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. He is a Lecturer in War and Security Studies, the University of Hull and also researching on “South Asia's Three Dimensional Nuclear Deterrence: Examining the US Factor”.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, established by Congress in 1968 and Headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the living national memorial to President Wilson. The Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open, and informed dialogue. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds and engaged in the study of national and world affairs.

New Political Party formed in CADC

Kamalanagar, July 11, 2009 (UJI): The opposition MNF Party in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) has fraction into two parties. The total strength of MNF was 7 out of 21 members in the CADC. The 6 (six) members left the MNF and formed a new political party named Chakma Democratic Party (CDP). Mr. Prema Ranjan Chakma and Mr. Amaresh Chakma, unanimously selected as President and the General Secretary of CDP respectively. The CDP still under observation and they did not yet decided about their political manifesto for the forth-coming CADC election. According to public opinion, the CDP will be stand as a Chakma National Political Party after Chakma Jatiyo Parisad (CJP) which formed by the Late Binod Basu Chakma (Basudev), Ex-CEM. The CJP is now inactive after he was assassinated by unidentified political machinery. The CDP is now recruiting member-ship to stand for Chakmas from the grassroots' level to national level.

In the last election, the ruling Congress won majority seats of 14 seats including 2 nominated members out of 21 total seats. The opposition MNF won 7 seats only. Mr. Rashik Mohan Chakma (Ex-CEM), President of the MNF, CADC that the lonely elected member from his party in the CADC.

Two District Councils reconstituted in CHT

Rangamati, July 11, 2009 (UJI): The Bangladesh Government has reconstituted the Rangamati and Bandarban Hill District Councils. However, did not bring any change to the Khagrachari Hill District Council as a case is pending with the High Court in this connection.

A five-member team was formed with Nikhil Kumar Chakma as the Chairman and other four members are Aungsui Prue Chowdhury, Shamima Rashid, Brishaketu Chakma and Avilash Tangchangya of Rangamati Hill District Council.

In Bandarban, Ka Shoilah Marma was made the Chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council. He was also the Chairman in 1996-2001. The other members of the council are Kazi Mujibur Rahman, Prasna Kanti Tangchangya, Kew Sa Prue and Aung Prue Murang.

Chakma famous historical writer passed away

Mumbai, July 11, 2009 (UJI): One of the most famous Chakma historical writers Mr. Citta Ranjan Chakma passed away on 5th June in Mumbai at the age of 84. He was born on 1st February 1925 in Longodu Bor-adaam in the Royal Chakma Kingdom (now Jummaland or Chittagong Hill Tracts). His father’s name was late Nava Chandra Karbari. He was enjoyed long terms service in the Indian Railways. He left his life partner, one son and two daughters behind him.
In those days, the ruler of the Royal Chakma Kingdom was Raja Nalininakko Roy (1902-1952 AD), son of Raja Bhuvan Mohan Roy. In 1934, he took power in the throne and became Raja in the Kingdom.
Mr. Binimoy Chakma son in-law came from Bangkok in order to attend his funeral ceremony. All his relatives and Chakma community including monks from Mumbai and Delhi attended in the ceremony.
Before retired from the service, he was started writing books on Chakma history, culture and languages until the end of his life. His publisher books are: 1. Chakma Basar Abidan (Chakma Dictionary); 2. Nava Chandra Pattam Chakma Byakaran; 3. Jug Bibartaner Chakma Jaiti (Ancient period); 4. Jug Bibartaner Chakma Jati (Medieval Period). He was left few un-publishing books in his library. He was good friend of late Uttanga Muni Chakma (Commissioner), late Mukur Khanti Khisa (Ambassador), late Raja Tridiv Roy, late Sneha Kumar Chakma (freedom fighter) and Mr. S.P. Talukdar (writer).

Dr. Amit Chakma achieved 10th President

London, July 11, 2009 (UJI): The World Chakma Indigenous Buddhist Community, congratulating and wishing for happy, healthy and prosperous future life ahead to Dr. Amit Chakma for his achievement such a prestigious post as President of the University of Western Ontario. His named was also under 40 among Canada’s Top 40 in 1998.

He officially took his office on July 1 as a 10th President and begins his first term in the office on July 2, 2009. He will serve a five year term. It is recorded in the “World Chakma History”.

Dr. Chakma is now 50. He is belonging from Chakma Indigenous Buddhist Community of the South-East Asia, mostly living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Jummaland) in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. The Chakmas are faith by Buddhist and originally belong from Sakya Clan (Lord Buddha clan, who founded Buddhism).

Dr. Chakma was served as Vice-President (Academic& Provost) of the University of Waterloo; Dean and Vice-President (Research) of the University of Regina; and Professor (Chemical & Petroleum Engineering) at the University of Calgary.

He is a graduate (Diploma Engineering) from the Algerian Petroleum Institute in1982; Master (Applied Science) in 1984 and PhD (Chemical Engineering) in 1987 from the University of British Columbia.