Rights activists here on Wednesday demanded the government ensure punishment of those involved in the recent arson attacks by ‘Bangalee settlers’ on the villages of ethnic minority people in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari. Addressing a press conference, organised by a platform of various professionals at Dhaka Reporters Unity, they also demanded a judicial probe into the communal attacks on August 3 that left some 50 houses gutted.
They said the attacks led more than a thousand indigenous people to take refuge in the neighbouring Indian state of Tripura.
Reading out a written statement, Jagannath University teacher Rajeeb Mir said 16 houses at Sarbeshwarpara, 11 in Baghapara, 3 in Talukdarpara and 3 in Bandarshingpara of Bhagaban Tila were burned to ashes.
Besides, about 400 houses of the indigenous community were ravaged in the attacks, he said. Rajeeb said there has been a prevalence of communal attacks by the settlers in that area, mostly aimed at grabbing the lands of the jum farmers.
He also noted that the government needs to take immediate actions to bring back all the people who took refuge in Tripura. “They must be properly compensated and rehabilitated,” he said.
He also stressed the proper enactment and enforced of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission Law. The press conference was also attended by Bangladesh Adivasi Forum general secretary Sanjeeb Drong and columnist Syed Abul Moksud. – UNB
