Army and police arrest and torture Jummas
March 6, 2007
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The army and police in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, have arrested at least nine Jumma tribal leaders this month after planting firearms in their homes. Some of those arrested have also been tortured.
A state of emergency was declared in Bangladesh in January, and observers have suggested that the army and police are using this as an excuse to increase military oppression in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Survival has written to the government of Bangladesh, urging it to ensure that these incidents are thoroughly investigated, and that those responsible are brought to justice.
'Jumma' is the collective name for the eleven tribes of the CHT. Over the last 50 years, hundreds of thousands of Bengali settlers have been moved onto their land. The Jummas have long been subjected to repeated waves of violence at the hands of the Bangladesh military.
To write a letter in support of the Jumma click here
