Author:
Publication: www.hrcbm.org
Date: June 25, 2001
URL : http://www.hrcbm.org/NEWLOOK/tribal1.html
For the second time in recent months,
Bengali Muslims have again attacked tribal villages in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
The clashes erupted after the killing of a Bengali Muslim truck driver
reportedly by the tribal freedom fighters.
The situation at Ramgarh of Khagrachhari
district remains tense after Monday's clashes between the Bengali Muslim
settlers and the tribal people in which over 30 people were injured and
at least five tribal villages were set on fire.
An uncontrolled Bengali Muslim mob
went on rampage as a follow up attack setting ablaze Buddhist Temple and
hundreds minority houses in four villages of Ramgarh. Report says, fearing
violence hundreds of Marma tribes have taken refuge to the neighboring
state of Tripura, Indian. According to some report, the situation is tense
and all shops of Ramgarh remained closed for two days whilst Police and
BDR personnel are patrolling the streets. Section-144 has been clamped
and gathering of more than five people is banned.
In another development, Indian Border
Security Forces on Tuesday sent 31 members of the Marma Community back
to Bangladesh. These people crossed the border into India after Monday's
clashes. BDR officials have sent the Marmas to their respective villages.
Exodus of Tribal from Bangladesh has become very widespread. In recent
years, thousands of tribal were forced to leave Chittagong hill tracts
and have taken refuge to Indian state of Tripura. The signed Chittagong
peace treaty has not yet been fully implemented and as a result ongoing
conflict between Bengali Muslim settlers and Tribal are forcing Indigenous
people to leave their own land.
Meanwhile, Parbatya Chattagram Jana
Sanghati Samity, PCJSS has called hartal on Wednesday in three will districts
in protest against the Ramgarh incident.
