Mong Prue Sain
Mong Prue Sain was the king of the Mong Circle, one of three circles; the others being the Chakma Circle and the Bohmong Circle.[1] He was a member of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League, the one-party government of Bangladesh created by the Awami League, and governor of Khagrachari District.
Career
[edit]Sain had fought in the Bangladesh Liberation war and helped settled refugees displaced by the war.[2] After the end of Bangladesh Liberation war, he served as the Tribal Affairs advisor to the new government.[3] He protested the detention of tribals for allegedly collaborating with the Pakistan Army.[3] He and Manabendra Narayan Larma handed over a memorandum to President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman demanding autonomy for indigenous tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracks in 1972.[4]
After President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman created the one party BAKSAL state, he appointed Sain as a member of the Central Committee in 1975.[2] The government appointed him Governor of Khagrachari District.[5]
Death and legacy
[edit]Sain reigned till his death in 1984 and was succeeded by his wife, Rani Nihar Devi.[6] Their foster daughter, Princes Unika Devi, succeeded her and ruled for two year until the government removed her due her being a foster child.[6] She was replaced by Paihala Prue Chowdhury, then a district information officer, in 1996.[6] His daughter challenged the decision in court and lost.[6][7]
An annual scholarship, Freedom Fighter Mong Circle Chief Mong Prue Sain Stipend, named after him is awarded to students from Khagrachari District.[8] Mong Circle Chief Mong Prue Sain Award is also named after him.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Roy, A. (1985). Genocide of Hindus & Buddhists in East Pakistan (Bangladesh). Kranti Prakashan.
- ^ a b Chakma, Saradindu Shekhar (2006). Ethnic Cleansing in Chittagong Hill Tracts. Ankur Prakashani. p. 68. ISBN 978-984-464-164-8.
- ^ a b Chakma, Saradindu Shekhar (2002). The Untold Story. Jatiya Grantha Prakashan. p. 9. ISBN 978-984-560-184-9.
- ^ Sharing Commonalities and Diversities, Forging Unity Towards Indigenous Women's Empowerment: Proceedings of the First Asian Indigenous Women's Conference, January 24-30, 1993, Teacher's Camp, Cordillera Region, Philippines. CWERC. 1993. p. 76.
- ^ Chakma, Saradindu Shekhar (2002). The Untold Story. Jatiya Grantha Prakashan. p. 12. ISBN 978-984-560-184-9.
- ^ a b c d "Journey Through Bangladesh". Star Insight. The Daily Star. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Mong Raja Prue Chy cremated". The Daily Star. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Freedom Fighter Mong Circle Chief Mong Prue Sain Stipend-2019". Daily Sun. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ^ "Mong Circle Chief Mong Prue Sain Award". Daily Sun. Retrieved 12 December 2021.