A Round-table discussion on justice denied case of Kalpana Chakma’s abduction was organized by Hill Women’s Federation (HWF) at Dhaka Reporters Unity Conference Hall in Dhaka on 12 June 2014. The Round-table discussion demanded proper judicial probe to Kalpana Chakma’s abduction and exemplary punishment of the persons involved in the crime.
Presided over by Chanchana Chakma, President of HWF, the round-table discussion was addressed by Dr. Hamida Hossain, eminent human rights activist; Advocate Sultana Kamal, former advisor to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh; Ushatan Talukdar, Member of Parliament of Rangamati constituency; Khusi Kabir, executive director of Nijera Kori; Rosalin D. Costa and Tandra Chakma as the honorary guests of this program. Monira Tripura, General Secretary of Dhaka metropolitan unit of HWF contributed the welcome speech and presented the Key Note of the event.
Hamida Hossain in her speech stressed on the formation of a committee with the distinguished civil society members for advancing the objective of unveiling the mystery of Kalpana Chakma’s abduction case. She also added that the government itself produced a report on this case, which has not been published till today. She suggested for finding out the report using the legal mechanism of Information Commission.
Stressing upon necessity of accurate judgment of Kalpana Chakma’s abduction incident, the prominent human rights activist Sultana Kamal pointed out that, no government has taken initiative as yet to ensure justice although 18 years is already over after the abduction took place. The hill people are deprived of their basic opportunities and human rights as guaranteed by the state – she added.
She also referred to the statement of Amena Begum, Police Super of Rangamati who told the journalists that there is enough reliable information that Kalpana Chakma is still alive. But the government is reluctant and insincere in the question of publishing the investigation report as it manifested in the last 18 years. The government is inactive and indifferent to protect and promote the security and human rights of the indigenous peoples of the CHT.
Further she said that security of the indigenous communities of CHT would not be ensured until and unless the culprits of Kalpana’s abduction case were not brought to trial and awarded rigorous punishment to them. Even the indigenous peoples will be deprived of their human rights. She also demanded strongly for publishing the investigation report of this heinous crime publicly.
Mr. Ushatan Talukder, Parliamentary member of CHT and Vice-President of PCJSS expressed his opinion with citation of newspaper to the effect that a government official has told the press that Kalpana Chakma is still alive. The government should inform the citizenry whether Kalpana Chakma is alive or dead. He asked the government to establish justice to this case.
Khusi Kabir said, she is directly involved in the movement of establishing justice for Kalpana Chakma’s abduction case. She also added that this incident is now taking another puzzling turn. Therefore, she called upon everyone to strengthen the movement of establishing justice in term of Kalpana Chakma’s abduction case.
Among others presented were ? Mr. Gouswami representing Bangladesh Mohila Porishad, Subodh M. Baske from IED, Rokeya Kabir, representative of Nari Pokko Rouson Ara, Hana Shams Ahmed, Co-ordinator, CHT Commission, The daily Star representative Tamanna and the former president of HWF and member of BIPF Ms. Chaitali Tripura participated in the open discussion.
In her speech Monira Tripura said, “Mr. Kalindi Kumar Chakma and Lal Bihari Chakma who are the elder brothers of Kalpana Chakma could identify Lt. Ferdaus (full name- Md. Ferdous Kaisar Khan who is a Major now), Commander of the nearest Kajaichhari Army Camp and VDP Platoon Commander Md. Nurul Haque and Md. Saleh Ahmed ? the main culprits to have committed the crime.
It is mentionable that Kalpana’s elder brother Mr. Kalindi Kumar Chakma informed about the incident to the then TNO with the help of local UP Chairman Diptiman Chakma on June 12, 1996. This statement was filed later as a case being Case No. 2, Dated- 12 June 1996, under Section-364 with Baghaichari Police Station under Rangamati Hill District. Later on, it was transferred to the district investigation department in Rangamati on 17 January 1997. The investigation task was again transferred to the Baghaichari Police Station on and from 26 December 2004.
The speakers, emphasizing upon permanent solution to the CHT crisis, establishing dignity of indigenous women, sustainable development and peace in the region and for security sake demanded the followings: –
1. To ensure immediate exemplary judicial initiative on Kalpana Chakma’s abduction and the murder cases of Rupan Chakma, Sukesh Chakma, Manatosh Chakma and Samar Bijoy Chakma;
2. To undertake measures for proper compensation to the suffering families; and
3. To implement the CHT Accord without further delay as to ensure social security and development of indigenous women and peace and development in the region.