RAPE IN THE CHT, Raja Devasish Roy, 13 May 2012

13 May 2012
Posted in Articles

RAPE IN THE CHT

I have been following the recent FB exchanges on the recent rape events in the CHT, but couldn't join in due to time constraints, while attending a session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York.

OUTRAGE

As with so many others, I too am outraged at these events, including the rape and murder of Sujata, and the assault on another Jumma woman from Langadu recently, and rapes of other women in different parts of the CHT and elsewhere in Bangladesh. However, punishment to the guilty, and outrage and condemnation of the event only covers one, among several, aspects of the evil rape, sexual assault and other forms of violence against women.

PUNISHMENT, CONDEMNATION & DETERRENCE

Punishment of the perpetrators no doubt expresses society's condemnation of the perpetrators' acts, and perhaps also helps deter future conduct of a similar nature by other would-be-perpetrators. However, this also calls for vigilance on the part of society - including Jumma society - so that future acts of this nature are discouraged and deterred. For this, we have to RAISE AWARENESS about the laws and procedures, amongst the general public, and also among law enforcement personnel, including the Police. Sharing and dissemination of information - accurate, objective and detailed information - is absolutely necessary. In this case, women's rights activists in the CHT have played a bold and committed role, and I feel their work needs to be supported by all concerned.

I am concerned about the language and the tone of some expressions of condemnation. I believe that such expressions should not point to the ethnicity and/or religious affiliation of the perpetrators. A rapist is a rapist, of whatever ethnicity or religion.

Although quite small in number, we have heard of SOME incidents of intra-Jumma rape, as pointed out by Sathi Chakma. These should also not be let off lightly. Rape is a totally different matter from sinala matters (premarital or extra-marital unions; which are social offences among indigenous peoples, but not crimes, as they concern consensual unions).

PREVENTION OF FUTURE RAPE EVENTS

Detection of crimes, prosecution and punishment would hopefully lead to deterrence of such crimes, at least to a significant extent, and should be supported. However, it is also important that AWARENESS is raised on this issue - especially among rural communities, about the dangers involved in different contexts. Among others, protective measures may be taken to ensure that women do not go about, without being accompanied by others, in areas where they are vulnerable to rape and sexual and other violence against them.

REHABILITATION OF THE VICTIMS

Sujata has of course left us, and we can do nothing for her. However, Sujata's family is around. WE should also be thinking about how her family, and that of several others who were violated like her, are coping with the trauma, social problems and so forth surrounding the events concerned. The matter is many times more complex where the victims are alive and have to cope with the psychological, physical, mental and social impact of such events.

I would be be very grateful if concerned individuals would also address some of these issues.

In solidarity,

DRW

A minor indigenous Jumma girl allegedly killed after rape in Longadu in CHT, 10 May 2012

10 May 2012
Posted in Kapaeeng Foundation Newsletters

On 9 May 2012 a minor indigenous Jumma girl named Ms Sujata Chakma (11 years), daughter of late Mr. Jyotish Chandra Chakma and Ms. Mongala Devi Chakma of Ultachari mouza area of Atarakchara union under Longadu upazila in Rangamati hill district was allegedly killed after rape by a Bengali settler. The victim was a student of class 4 of Ultachari Government Primary School. The girl was brutally killed by chopping on the neck with sharp weapon.

It is learnt that the incident happened around 2.30 pm on that day, when Sujata Chakma along with her nephew (5 year old) named Triratna Chakma was grazing cows half a kilometer from the village.

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