From this far away land, there’s
a man from Bawm tribe named Nathan Loncheu, an artist, sculptor, researcher and
a writer. He is the author of BAWMZO: A
study of Chin-Kuki-Zo tribes of Chittagong which was published by Akansha
Publishing House, New Delhi earlier this year. He took more than 5 years
to ink this book.
Loncheu completed Class X from Don
Bosco High School, Bandarban in 1993 and Class XII from Dhaka College, Dhaka in
1995, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters of Fine Arts from Dhaka University in
2000 and 2002 respectively. He is the President
of Kuki-Chin National Development Organisation (KNDO); Secretary of Bawm
Literature Forum (BLF); Chairman & founding member of Dhaka Bawm House
(DBH); Member of Bangladesh Sculptors Assembly; and Former secretary of Hill
Artists’ Council (HAC).
He also wrote some books in Bawm
dialect viz. Zo Phun Thlak History
(History of Zo peoples); Ethnic Arts,
Crafts; and Music of CHT: A story of
Chin-Kuki-Zo tribes of Bangladesh. Some of his unpublished books include Bawm Phung-le-Lam (Bawm Culture); ZALENNAK (Freedom);
DILEMMA: Living in the Bordering Side;
and Parbatta Chattagramer Kuki Jati O
british Biddruhi Andulon (The Kukis
of CHT and their movements against the British in Bengali).
Caught up with our correspondent
one fine moment luckily, here we produced the exclusive interview with Nathan
Loncheu from Chittagong.
Could you please tell us your background?
My father, Zotawn (95 aged), served
in the East Pakistan Regiment before the present Bangladesh was born. Just
after completion of his military training, his mother died. So he came back and
never returned to the military. My uncle Zakap was a member of Emergency
Commando in 1948. He died in Burma in 1951. And, one of my paternal uncles was also a member of Indian Armed Police
who fled away there (West Bengal) for good reason. He didn’t return home and
died in India. And another uncle died at Bungtlang in Mizoram. It is interesting
that my uncles were the members of military in the then undivided three
countries – India, Burma and East Pakistan. We, Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi (Zo people),
were ironically divided into three countries in 1937 and again in 1947 based on
two nation’s theory. My parents
are still alive but very old. My
mother is a house wife. I am the youngest among 5 brothers and one sister. I
got married 5 years ago, not yet blessed with kids.
When were you born?
I was born in 1972 at Theihkhiang
village, under Bandarban district, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh. This village
is the nearest from the erstwhile MNF Capital nestling
on the green hills of Keokrotlang, the highest peak in Bangladesh.
Where do you live at present? How far is from Dhaka?
I live in Ruma sub-district town which
takes 12-16 hours to reach Dhaka by bus.
How many tribal groups are there in Chittagong? Who are the majority?
There are 11 tribal groups in CHT
except Nepali, Assamese (Ahomi), Gurkha
and Rakhain. The Chakmas are the largest in population, the Moghs
are second largest and third the Tripuras [Tripuris]. The Kuki group [Zo people]
such as Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mru and Khyang are the minority.
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| Bawm women | Nathan Loncheu |
Is there a sense of brotherhood among the Zo people?
There were no such feelings earlier.
After the Peace Accord, many miscreants or disgruntled armed groups like the Arakan
Liberation Party (ALP) and AA (Arakan Army) backed by the Mogh tribe became
very operatives in the areas of Bawm and other Zo people. They started kidnapping
and abducting the innocent Zo people and demanded huge amount of ransom,
ransacked their houses and disrupted the peaceful life. I still remember one tragic
incident. It was during the time of our university holidays some miscreants (probably
of major tribes) raped two Bawm women who were fishing. They brutally killed one
woman which left a long lasting pain in our minds. For so many reasons, we, along
with some like-minded University students and conscious persons, formed Kuki-Chin
National Development Organisation (KCNDO) in 2008 with a view of unifying the neglected
Zo people in Chittagong. Some leaders aren’t still aware of such feelings!
We’re still advocating through conducting meetings and workshops. Today our
people came to realize the need of unity. They are now a bit conscious about
our threatening existence.
 |
| Ruma Bazar in Chittagong, Bangladesh | Nathan Loncheu |
Can you tell us what exactly the Peace Accord was?
Chittagong
Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed between the Bangladesh Government and the
Chakma-armed group (militants) in 1997. As a result the Regional Council came
into being in CHT. Frankly speaking, the Kuki-Chin-Mizo people rejected the
accord because it was signed without our
consent. There has been no right or facility for us in the Council since
then. We are not satisfied with the Peace
Accord and its formation. Our rights have been refused and the Bengalis have
been empowered in this Council by giving seven seats (membership). For the six
Zo tribes not even a single seat has been allotted. It’s beyond our
expectation. The Zo tribes should also be given one seat each. The majority
tribe is infuriated on us for our claim. When contacted the concerned Council
about their ignorance of minority rights in Regional Council, some vested
leaders of the majority tribes just blamed that the Zo people had no
contribution during their 20 year’s movement against the government. What is
their political thought and how can it be possible, many of us also laid their precious
lives during the movement (we have many documents to proof it)? How the
majority Bengalis can achieve seven seats in the Regional Council? What did
they contribute then? Didn’t the minorities have more contribution than them?
As a consequence of signing the Peace Accord and forming political council, the
dominant Bengali became more and more powerful. For such political misguidance
and ignorance to the minority Zo peoples, it weakened the political strategy of
the hills. We became more and more powerless in our own land while the Bengalis
are gradually becoming powerful than before. They have now enough administrative
powers in a bid to grasp our lands. Recently, we can see a big influx of the
plainsmen to the hill regions. We are going to lose our ancestral land or the
hunting grounds of our forefathers because of negligence by the majority
political parties who dream of Jummaland. Our neighbouring Mogh tribe is unfriendly and
always antagonistic to the Zo people. The government should give importance to
the minority Zo people and ensure equal rights and facilities for all the hill
tribes. Still today tranquility and friendly situation does not prevail in CHT.
So we really worried for our future.
What are the main problems faced by the Zo group?
We are confronting various kinds
of deprivations and persecutions. We have been facing problems in education, healthcare,
development sectors and government services, and even in the local NGO
recruitments. Many international NGOs like
UNDP-CHTDF (United Nations Development Program - Chittagong Hill Tracts
Development Facilities) entered into our lands (CHT) but all the facilities
have been enjoyed by the majority. The development sectors especially the
Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Regional Council and Special
District Councils are dominated by the majority. So we are fighting for equal
rights, equal privilege and equal footings. We never expected such step-motherly treatment from the majority group. Before
the Peace Accord, we were optimistic that we can enjoy all the facilities
equally without any discrimination. But now, we don’t know where the development
goes for us?
 |
| Aizawl | Nathan Loncheu |
Is there any government institution in your village?
Yes of course, we have government
hospital, school and college (recently set-up) in our village Ruma. The
government never wants to develop our region. It won’t be exaggerated if I say that
the region where we (Zo people) live is still considered as one of the most
backward areas in our country.
What is the common language?
Bengali, but we speak in our own
different languages. Bawm, Pangkhua and Lushai (Mizo) are dialectically
intelligible. Here the Lushai and Pangkhua can speak Bawm. Mru and Khumi
dialect is similar. They can easily understand each other. But Chakma language
is broadly used in two districts Rangamati and Khgarachari. Those Tripuris and
Moghs in these districts can speak Chakma.
 |
| Mizoram | Nathan Loncheu |
Have the government recognized the Zo people?
No, Bangladesh Government knows
us by different names. They called us as Kuki. The government also knows
very well that we belong to Mizo-Chin-Kuki group.
How is education system in CHT?
There is no university here. Behind this backwardness, there are many
political reasons and it’s like a thorny-untold story.
For higher studies, where does one go?
Most of the students from CHT go
to divisional cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and others. For
all these reasons we have founded Dhaka Bawm House in Dhaka City in 2002. At
present, there are 35 school and college going students in this house. This house is not only for the Bawms but
also for all Zo people. Many students have finished their Bachelors and Masters
from this place.
Is the food and lodging free in Bawm House?
No, students have to pay for
their food. A small amount is given for accommodation. We get some financial
supports from NGOs and kindhearted persons.
What is the main source of livelihood in CHT?
Mainly jhum cultivation and
gardening. Bawms, Pangkhuas and Lushais
mostly depend on gardening as source of livelihood.
Is there any scholarship for tribal students from Bangladesh government?
We have many talented students but
none avail any scholarships or facilities so far. After the Peace Accord, students
from CHT were given scholarship every year by the Australian Government and
UNDP. The majority tribes have grasped
all the facilities while the minority tribes have been deprived of. Many of the
majority Chakma students went abroad to Australia for higher education without
spending a penny from their pocket. So
the Chakms became the most advanced group and their literacy rate was far better
than the Bengalis. Not a single of student from the minority group get
scholarship till date. Finding no
alternative, many of the Zo students stop their higher studies but only few could
went to neighbouring countries for theological studies. We aren’t given facilities
by the Bangladesh Government. The irony is the government didn’t listen to our grievances,
our voice always remained unheard. For higher education, we need helps from our
brothers and sisters in India.
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| MNF Guerillas in Chittagong | Nathan Loncheu |
Is there any armed group from the minority group?
No we don’t need. We are going to
fight democratically with wisdom and non-violent. We don’t prefer sanguinary fightings
and bloodsheds.
The civilized world
does not support such heinous activities. We don’t want to see such recurrent phenomena
of tragedy in our region.
Is there any social or political organisation from the Zo group?
There were many social organisations
among us. But as I said Kuki-Chin National Development Organisation is one of
the socio-political organisations of the Zo people which protest any kinds of oppression,
suppression and aggression. KCNDO
is aiming to protect our languages, cultures as well as to uplift the poor
literacy among our Zo peoples in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
What is the population of Zo groups in Chittagong?
Maybe around One Lakh. The Mrus
are the largest among us but they are the most backward tribe who predominantly
inhabited the rugged terrains of today’s Chimbuk.
What about the Chakmas? What do they demand?
Chakma is about 4.5 Lakh, Mogh
3.5 Lakh and Tripuri 2 Lakh approximately. These three are the majority in CHT.
They are fighting together for their homeland called “Jummaland”. There were two political groups among them,
namely PCJSS (Parbatta Chattgram Jana Sanghati Samiti) and UPDF (United People’s
Democratic Front) led by the majority tribes and Chakmas domination. They both
have armed wings. One group cherish for full-fledged autonomy while the other
group dreams for statehood (which they formed Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional
Council). They are neither fighting for the dominant Bengalis nor the
government, they fights each other for supremacy which led many blood feuds among
the hill peoples. It has hampered the economy of the CHT and benefited by the
government only.
What does Jummaland means?
It is an alternate name for the
word Chakma. The PCJSS used it as a political term for all the hill peoples. According
to the Chakmas
and PCJSS, Jumma
means Jhum Cultivators. But the word Jumma refers to
Chakma only because the Chakmas in olden days call themselves Jumma or
Sakma. We don’t accept it as it is a Chakma term. They advocate that all
the hill tribes to be under this name but we rejected it. The Chakmas are
planning for their Chakma land in CHT. We are Mizo-Chin-Kuki or Zo hnahthlak
[Zo descendants] and we can’t buy their
own ideology. We still call the region we inhabited now as Bawmram which
stands for the Bawm’s ancestral land. We also acknowledged the present Chimbuk
Hills as Miriaram (Mru Hills). All the land where we also belongs can’t be a Jumma
(Chakma) land. The Chakmas haven’t determined yet about their future goals but
fighting each other for self-domination and power. They are also trying to
include all the minority Zo people to their political games (killing,
abduction, looting, etc). You must know, last week a pastor in Khagrachari was
brutally killed by the majority Chakma led armed cadres (PCJSS alleged UPDF for
this killing but UPDF denied). It’s one of the greatest threats for the Zo
people as well as our Christian missionaries working in CHT. This killing is a
religious persecution on minority Christians by the majority tribes which is
happening.
Did the Zo group react to Jummaland Demand?
The Zo people are neither
unconscious nor unaware about this. We easily understand their tricky mindset and
foresightedness in politics. Some of our people didn’t even realize that they
were being fooled by the majority tribes in the political arena where there is
no right at all for the Zo tribes. In this regard, we have talked to the
government and the government has now seems to be considering it. But on the behalf
of Zo (minority) tribes, we haven’t submitted any memorandum due to our minor political distinctiveness.
Have you heard about
ZO Re-unification Organisation? Have you ever met them?
I’ve heard about ZORO. It’s very
popular in CHT especially among Bawm, Lushai and Pangkhua tribes. Yes, we met ZORO
president Pu R. Thanmawia and central leaders like Pu Lalmuanpuia Punte and
others in Aizawl sometime ago. We discussed with about our plights. We gave some knowledge to the leaders of ZORO
about our problems too. They said those problems were out of the purview of
their interference, though they response well.
I personally also talked to some CNF
leaders but they were busy for their Peace Agreement with their Burmese
government and they had already set out for abroad. I just got only a chance to
talk to Pu Zing Cung, Vice-Chairman of CNF and General Secretary of the
National Democratic Front (NDF) through telephone. I told him about our
regional politics and our future plans of the Chin (Zo) people in CHT. When I
returned to my village from Mizoram, I met and shared about our problems to Pu
Rozathanga (Parte), a former leader of ZORO, who came here for his personal
work.
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| Pu Laldenga | Nathan Loncheu |
Are you satisfied with the MNF party or previous MNF government in
Mizoram?
It’s a bit
difficult to say about the MNF party in Mizoram today. However during the MNF ruled,
I was in Dhaka. I came to know many stories of MNF and Congress-led government
in Mizoram from my relatives in Mizoram and our brethren in Chin Hills of Burma.
I don’t want to say anything that will deeply hurt them because the MNF is only
one organisation in Mizoram that fought for more than two decades for Mizoram’s
independence under one umbrella in which many of our brave guerillas lost their
lives at the hands of Indian armies. We must pay homage to them. However when
MNF became the ruling in Mizoram, they didn’t acknowledge the existence of our
Chin people from Burma; some of them (those of Chins) said that they suffered much
in the so-called peaceful state in India. Some Chin people from Burma and CHT
stayed in Dhaka for several years made complain to me that Mizoram is now
becoming
uncongenial for us. I was so
sad, we fought for our Mizoram, we co-operated the Mizo movement, and later we
helped the CNF. What a heartbreaking! We need to help each other at any cost;
they (Chins) are now neglecting us. In Bangladesh we helped those neglected Lai
brethren in Dhaka who urged for their refugee status. We don’t want to expect
from the MNF or any other Mizoram government. We were divided into three nations
but we are one. We stemmed from the same parents’ race. Here I belong to Bawm
tribe in CHT but I am Mizo in Mizoram, Kuki in Manipur and Chin in Chin Hills.
Why should we fight for these 4-letters? We, Mizo-Kuki-Chin, all are brethren.
We, Zo people, are being neglected and were treated in a step-motherly treatment
here in CHT but we shouldn’t be subjugated one another in Mizoram nor in Chin
Hills. Both states are our ancestral lands. We dream much for these lands. We
love and belongs to Mizoram, Zale’n-gam (what Kukis in Manipur fought for) and
Chin Hills as the Mizo, Chin and Kuki peoples love and belong to. You must know
that now-a-days, we, those here in CHT were much oppressed, neglected and
suppressed in every spheres of our life by the majority tribes and the
government. We have nothing else here; we are going to lose everything. We are now
on the brink of extinction. We have got no rights in CHT. We hope MNF would
become very powerful government next time and that will be for the
reconstruction of all Zo people and all Zo people can enjoy its freedom as
their own. So that all Zo people can feels the land as their own home. We need
to help each other as one family. I do strongly believe that the MNF party can
do something for us. We will pray for them.
 |
| Pu Zoramthanga | Nathan Loncheu |
Do you have any message particularly for Pu
Zoramthanga, former Chief Minister as well as former MNF guerrilla
leader?
While Pu
Zoramthanga and his cadres were in Chittagong, they fought for all the Zo
people as I heard from my own father. Pu Zorama used to visit our home. Since
the MNF were pro-Pakistan, the anti-freedom fighter (Mukti Bahini) led by the India Army Forces came into Bawm region in
the guise of Mukti Bahini and searched
the MNF guerillas every nook and corner of Chittagong. It was a dooms day for
the MNF. Pu Zorama and his men finally fled to Arakan (Burma) and harboured
there for several years. My father says
many MNF guerillas were killed in Arakan. When Bangladesh was born and at the
death of Sheikh Mujib (the first President), the MNF easily had contacts with
the new government and they came back to CHT and settled in Keokratlang hills (known as Capital) for
a good number of years. This hill is near from my birthplace Theihkhiang. According to my father, the MNF had a good relationship
with the newly Bangladesh government so they could settle at my grandfather’s
land at Ruma (where I live now). When I came to Mizoram in 2011, I tried to meet
Pu Zoramhanga, but I was never given a chance by the officials or his
sub-ordinates. I met only some of his sub-ordinates. Now I would like to request him to visit CHT
once and forever.
What about Pu Lal Thanhawla, any words for
him?
We all the Zo
people in CHT know his name as Chief Minister of Mizoram. But I don’t know whether
he must be aware of some Zo hnahthlak [Zo
descendants] inhabiting Chittagong from time immemorial. He
is an old and respectable man. Being a Chief Minister of our present day Zoram,
he must also lend his ears and eyes towards his brethren who are exploited and
destructed in Bangladesh and Burma as the ‘Guardian’. We are helpless he can
raise his voice in some way or other for us.
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| Kuki Rebellion (Chin-Lushai Expedition) | Nathan Loncheu |
There are Kukis in Manipur and Chins in Burma.
Any comment?
You know that the
Kukis of Manipur and Chins of Chin Hills are very far from our country although
geographically contagious to our land. Nonetheless, we long for these two ancestral
lands. We first came from the present Chin Hills and even our first missionary in
Chittagong was from NEIG Mission, Manipur. The first convert Christian among
our people was Rev. Kualthang, first student from CHT who studied in Churachandpur,
Manipur. We have many stories on Churachandpur and Chin Hills which you may not
heard. The Bawms are unified with many Zo tribes, here like Hmar, Lakher, Thadou-Kuki,
Lushai, Khumi, Mru and Lai tribes. I meant to say that the Bawm tribe is
unified with other Zo sub-clans of the southern Chins, northern Chins and
central Chins, it’s a long story to discuss. If you go through my book “BAWMZO”
it will be very clear. Our history tell us that we – Hmar, Thadou, Paite,
Lakher, Lai, Lushai and other smaller Zo tribes are unequivocally one and
indifferent. We speak in similar language except minor difference. I was saddened
to hear that the Naga’s outfit NSCN (Naga Socialist Council of Nagalim – Isaac
and Muivah) killed many of our Kuki brothers and sisters in Manipur during 1993-95.
I was badly disturbed when Burmese harassed our Chin brethren and burnt down their
homes and killed their religious teachers/pastors. They are very much neglected
in Burma. It is high time that all the Zo people under the sky should be in
unity. We really need unity and brotherhood in today’s contemporary world at
large. We are being fragmented into three sub-continents where we individually
struggle for own benefits. What a sad thing! However I have been now-a-days contacted
by some persons from abroad. I haven’t met
Rev. Dr. David Haokip of Chin Hills (who is now in London) and Prof. Lal Dena
of Manipur University but we only came to know by phone-calls only. It was
God’s grace. After we talked they are like my relatives in my mind which they
may not know. I believe one day we will be united and become one. I strongly
believe the younger generation will search the remaining chapter which none of us
could make into visible at the present. That will be a new leaf for our
children or grandchildren.
~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL
Joint Editor, ZOGAM TODAY, Manipur
Special Correspondent, The MIZORAM POST
New Delhi | 14 Aug 2013
*Published in The Mizoram Post & Zogam Today on 15 & 16 Augst, 2013.
(*This material should be not published without permission of the author/interviewer)
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