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Bangalee settlers attacked Adivasis to grab land

Citizens' delegation tells press conference about recent torching of indigenous villages in Rangamati after spot visit

Staff Correspondent
Bangalee settlers repeatedly attack indigenous communities to evict them and grab their lands in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the latest December 16 attack on three Rangamati villages is a part of this long-term ill motive, said some rights activists yesterday.
They were addressing a press conference organised under the banner of
Nagorik Protinidhi Dal (citizens' delegation) at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
At least 54 houses, seven shops and a Buddhist temple in Suridas Para, Camp Para and Amtola villages near the Rangamati-Khagrachhari road under Naniarchar upazila were vandalised and torched during the attack by some 400-500 settlers from the nearby Bogachhari area.
The attack came following the destruction of some pineapple and
teak plantations of Bangalee settlers the night before. The indigenous people claim the saplings were planted on land "taken away" from them.
Many Bangalee settlers accused United People's Democratic Front of destroying the saplings said Razib Mir, a member of the 25-person delegation which had visited the areas for two days from December 23.
Comprising academicians, politicians, journalists and cultural personalities, the delegation talked to indigenous people, Bangalee settlers, law enforcers and local administration officials, said the assistant professor of Jagannath University while reading out a written statement at the press conference.
The rights activists placed a five-point demand including amending the CHT land dispute resolution commission act, impartial investigation into the attack and trial of the attackers, full implementation of the CHT peace accord and ensuring security for the indigenous people.
Noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud said repeated attacks on indigenous people were being carried out under state patronisation. He also threatened to launch a movement if the latest attackers were not tried within one week.
Veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya said mass resistance must be formed against continuous attacks and repression on indigenous people.
Academician Prof Ajoy Roy, Dhaka University teacher Robaet Ferdous and women's rights activist Khusi Kabir also spoke.