After Ramu, temples attacked in Patia

Fresh attack is going on at Wakhyong Barua Para in Teknaf upazila under Cox's bazaar district. The attack is started just 07.00 pm (30 Sept).




Source: bdnews24.com, Sunday, September 30th, 2012 4:29 pm BdST 


Chittagong, Sep 30 (bdnews24.com)— Hours after rampaging through a Buddhist village in Cox's Bazaar's Ramu Upazila in the early hours, religious fanatics on Sunday launched attacks on Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries in Patia at noon. 
"The attacks took place between noon and 1:30pm," Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Patia Police Station Aminur Rashid told bdnews24.com. 
The police officer said the fanatics had carried out the attacks alleging defamation of Prophet Mohammad. 
He said two Hindu temples and two Buddhist viharas were damaged in the attacks. 
According to the accounts of local journalists, several hundred fanatics took out a procession and launched attacks on the Lakhara Abhoy Buddhist Viahar at around noon and set it on fire. 
They also attacked the Kolagaon Rotnangkur Buddhist Vihara, Kolagaon Nobarun Sangha Durga Mandir (temple) and the Matri Mandir at Jele Para, they said. 
The attackers reportedly smashed an ancient Buddhist statue at the Rotnangkur Buddhist Vihara and set fire to a statue of Goddess Durga at the Nobarun Sangha Mandir. The fanatics also set fire to various goods in the temples, according to the newsmen. 
The OC said the situation was calm. "Additional police forces and members of the RAB have been deployed at the scene to avert further tension," he added. 
Meanwhile, tension is running high among the locals following the attacks. Top administrators and local MP Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury were present at the spot. 
Earlier on Sunday, a mob torched and vandalised a Buddhist village in Cox's Bazaar's Ramu Upazila in one of the worst religious attacks in Bangladesh which appeared to have been triggered by a Facebook posting allegedly defaming the Quran. 
Seven Buddhist Viharas, around 30 houses and shops were torched in the attacks that started at 11:30am on Saturday lasted until around 4am on Sunday. More than a hundred houses and shops were also reportedly attacked, vandalised and ransacked. 
http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=233393&hb=1

Temple attacks premeditated, deliberate: MKA

Source: The Daily Star

15 monasteries torched in Ramu, Ctg; 50 Buddhist houses vandalised and Sec 144 imposed in Ramu; ministers MKA, Dilip in Ramu; Violence shocked PM

Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir on Sunday said that the violence in Ramu of Cox's Bazar centring an anti-Islam photo on facebook is 'premeditated and deliberate act of communal violence against a minority'.
“We found evidences of gunpowder and petrol in Saturday’s arson of the Buddhist monasteries and houses,” the minister said while addressing an impromptu rally at Choumuhani intersection in Ramu around 2:00pm.
Alamgir and Industries Minister Dilip Barua, accompanied by local Awami League leaders, visited the spots of violence shortly after their arrival in Ramu around 10:00am.
“We have been informed that police and fire services were inactive during the arson,” said the minister adding that a committee, chaired by the additional divisional commissioner in Chittagong, is soon to be formed to investigate whether the law enforcers remained inactive.
Alamgir, in his speech, also promised to rebuild the Buddhist monasteries and temples and compensate the victims whose houses were destroyed.
The minister assured that the miscreants who stirred the violence would be traced and brought to book within 15 days.
Also addressing the rally, Industries Minister Dilip Barua said that in 1971 the country was liberated to establish a secular state. “The unprecedented events in Ramu have tarnished its reputation and our belief in secularism,” he said.
Barua also assured the locals that incidents like these would not recur. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also expressed concern about the incident, Alamgir told the rally.
On Sunday morning, Cox’s Bazar district administration imposed section 144 in Ramu after mobs destroyed 12 monasteries and 50 houses there late Saturday following posting of an alleged defamation of the Qur’an on a facebook account of a local Buddhist person.
Selim Md Jahangir, the superintendent of police (SP) of Cox’s Bazar said that three of the Buddhist temples were totally gutted.
The violence spread to Chittagong on Sunday morning as mobs vandalised and torched one Hindu and two more Buddhist temples in Kolagaon union of Patiya between 11:30am and 12noon, our Chittagong correspondent confirmed quoting Nazrul Islam, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Patiya Circle.
Quoting Uttom Kumar Barua, the owner of the facebook account, police said the photo was mistakenly tagged on his profile. Soon after the violence broke out, Uttom's facebook account was closed and police escorted him and his mother to safety, said the SP.
Uttom is son of one Supto Barua of Baruapara in Ramu upazila.
Regarding Saturday night’s incident in Cox’s Bazar, police and witnesses said, after news spread about the defaming picture on facebook, hundreds of people thronged to Chowmuhani area of Ramu and staged demonstration in protest around 10:00pm.
In a bid to control the situation, police from Ramu upazila tried to cordon the area off but were soon outnumbered and pushed back.
Around 11:00pm, riot police and Rab arrived on the spot but by then hundreds of people set ablaze Buddhist households in Baruapara of the upazila that kept burning until around 2:00am.
Police and witnesses said, around 12:30 am, a mob torched a 250-year old Buddhist temple on Cheranghata road and then set ablaze Borokang Buddha Bihar and Kendriyo Shima Bihar. Angry mob also vandalised Baruapara Buddhist temple at Srikul in Ramu.
Buddhist people started to flee their homes as the fire services failed to reach the spot amid increasing violence around 1:00am.
With the help of police, the fire services managed to douse the blaze around 2:30am but the temples and the houses were already gutted by then.
Around 3:30am, BGB, Rab and police managed to quell the violence and take control of the situation with the help of the eminent local persons including the lawmaker Lutfur Rahman Kajal, Ramu upazila parishad chairman Sohel Sarwar Kajal.
Since Sunday morning army, BGB, Rab and police have been guarding all the 27 Buddhist monasteries and temples in Ramu while police forces have been deployed in all other areas where the violence broke out.
However police were unable to confirm the number of injured persons as most Buddhist people have been in hiding since Saturday night.
While talking to The Daily Star at his ministry, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu said some identified communal forces were involved with the incident.
The situation is now under control, Inu said.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=41268

Cox’s Bazar violence: 6 pagodas burnt down, 100 houses vandalised

Source: The Independent


Ministers warn perpetrators of strict consequences


SUNDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2012
COX'S BAZAR: Authorities imposed section 144 (ban on gatherings) in the district’s Ramu upazila for an indefinite period hours after a group of people rampaged through a village of Buddhists in the area in early hours of Sunday.
A mob comprises of around 25,000 people, angered by a photograph posted in Facebook, torched dozens of homes of the Buddhist community and vandalised six 100-year-old pagodas as a sectarian violence broke out at Merunloa village in Ramu upazila here Saturday night.
Officer-in-charge (OC) of Ramu Police Station Nazibul Alam said the clash continued in the area from 11:15pm to 2:30am Sunday after a youth reportedly posted a photograph disgracing the holy Qur’an on the wall of his Facebook page.
Apprehending escalation of the sectarian violence, Upazila Nirbhahi Officer (UNO) Debi Chando slapped the ban on gathering as tension heightened in the area.
Earlier, hundreds of people stormed the houses of Buddhists at Baruapara in the upazila headquarters after they came to know about the photograph reportedly posted by Uttam Kumar Barua, 24.
Police took Uttam Kumar, a resident of Baruapara, into custody in an effort to quell the situation.
Lawmaker of Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency Lutfar Rahman Kajal, Ramu Upazila council Chairman Sohel Sarwar Kazal and Ramu Police Station officer-in-charge along with several platoons of police cordoned off Baruapara and were trying to pacify the Muslims who were vandalising, torching and looting the houses of Baruas (local terms for Buddhists) in retaliation for posting the blasphemous picture on the Facebook of Uttam Kumar Barua, also an assistant deed writer.
It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties, and authorities did not say if any of the rioters were arrested but Ramu OC said four people were injured in the midnight mayhem adding that the Buddhists got panicked and were leaving their houses for safer places.
With the help of police, the fire services managed to douse the blaze around 2:30am but the temples and the houses were already gutted by then.
Around 3:30am, units of Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, and police managed to quell the violence and take control of the situation.
Many Buddhist men and women along with their children have taken shelter either in and around the police station and its outpost or neighbouring houses to escape the wraths of Muslims.
“I left my house with my wife and children as angry Muslims stormed into my house with sticks and machetes, and started ransacking it. They also tried to torch it,” one witness Sunil Barua, 40, a businessman and resident of Baruapara said.
He along with his panic-stricken wife and children took shelter in the house of another Muslim man who is known to him.
Additional police have been called in from Cox`s Bazar town and other parts of the district to keep the situation under control.
"At least 100 houses were damaged. We called in army and border guards to quell the violence," Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner Joinul Bari told news agency AFP
Commerce Minister Dilip Barua, Home Minister MK Alamgir, and Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker visited the trouble-stricken area in the morning.
Later during an impromptu rally, MK Alamgir termed the violence ‘premeditated and deliberate act of communal violence against a minority.’
The minister said a committee, chaired by the additional divisional commissioner in Chittagong, is soon to be formed to investigate whether the law enforcers have performed their duty accordinly.
Alamgir, in his speech, also promised to rebuild the Buddhist monasteries and temples and compensate the victims whose houses were destroyed and bring the culprits to book within 15 days.
Barua, himself a Buddhist, warned perpetrators of strict consequence if anyone tries to violate congenial atmosphere between the two religious communities.
During exchanging views with reporters in the afternoon, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu said an identified vested quarter is behind Saturday’s sectarian violence in Ramu of Cox’s Bazar district and it was done to create a political instability in the country.
“This is an isolated incident …it was done by a vested quarter to destabilise the country,” he told reporters at his Secretariat office in the afternoon.
Claming that the situation is now under control, Inu said it will not be possible for the trouble mongers to destroy the communal harmony between the Muslims and other communities in the country.
Buddhists, who make up less than one percent of Bangladesh's 153 million population, are based mainly in southeastern districts, close to the border with Buddhist-majority Myanmar.
Sectarian tensions have been running high since June when deadly clashes erupted between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar's western Rakhine state.
Although Bangladesh, where nearly 90 percent people are Muslims, has witnessed deadly clashes between Muslims and Hindus in the past, sectarian clashes involving Buddhists are rare.
In recent weeks tens of thousands of Muslims have hit the street across the country to protest a US-made anti-Islam mocking the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
http://www.theindependentbd.com/online-edition/134090-quran-disgracing-sectarian-clash-breaks-out-in-coxs-bazar.html

Breaking News! An indigenous Jumma woman killed allegedly by Bengali settlers in Rangamati

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

On 7 July 2012 just afternoon, a 45-year old indigenous Jumma woman was chopped to kill allegedly by Bengali settlers in Uluchara area under Rangamati municipality in Rangamati district. It is suspected that the victim might be killed after rape. The victim was identified as Ms. Bolimila Chakma w/o Durgamoni Chakma from Suguripadachara village of Bhushanchara union under Barkal upazila of Rangamati district.

It is learnt that Bolimila Chakma has come from Suguripadachara village of Barkal upazila to her uncle Rajani Chakma’s (Sara Bap) house at Uluchara vilage of Rangamati town for her treatment. On 7 July around 2.00 pm Bolimila Chakma went to a nearby stream around 400 feet away from her uncle’s house for taking a bath. As she did not return to house even after 2/3 hours, the relatives of victim went out for searching her. At a stage, at around 5:00 pm her relatives found the dead body of Bolimila Chakma in completely naked nearby the stream with deep cut on the neck and hands. The ear-ring and the necklace made of gold of the victim were also looted.

The dead body was taken to Rangamati General Hospital. Till preparing the report, it is learnt that the post-mortem of the dead body will be done 8 July. Husband of the victim is supposed to come to Rangamati from Barkal by 8 July 2012.

It is worth mentioning that murder, rape and violence against indigenous women and children in various parts of the country have been increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. At least 19 incidents on violence against indigenous women from January 2012 to June 2012 have been documented. Of them, 2 indigenous girls whose aged 7 and 11 years were brutally killed after rape while 10 indigenous women were raped. Besides, 2 indigenous girls were abducted.

Attack on Chakma village: Punishment of policemen demanded

Source: New Age

Staff Correspondent

National minority students at a demonstration in the city on Monday demanded immediate trial and exemplary punishment of the police personnel who recently attacked Amtali, a Chakma village in Teknaf, leaving 11 injured and several women sexually harassed.

They condemned the attack on the Chakma village.

Bangladesh Adibhasi Chhatro Sangram Parishad organised the human chain in front of the National Press Club.

The protesters said that on May 30 a group of policemen from the Teknaf police station and some Bangalis led by sub-inspector Bakhtiar and locally influential man Abdul Haque raided Tanchangya villages, locally called Chakma villages in Howaikyong under Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazaar district.

In the attack, they said, nine houses were ransacked and 11 Chakma villagers were severely injured.

They said that 30-year old Malaimey Chakma, pregnant for eight months, was severely beaten by the policemen for trying to protect her husband from police assault.
They said that following the beating, Malaimey gave birth to a premature baby.
They said that the police also arrested seven Chakma villagers, four of them students.

Try Chakma village attackers'

Source: The Daily Star

Staff Correspondent

Speakers at a rally yesterday demanded immediate trial of attackers who attacked a Chakma village at Teknaf upazila in Cox's Bazar early hours on May 30, leaving 11 indigenous people injured and nine homes damaged.

They also demanded to ensure security of all affected indigenous families in the area as panic gripped the entire village following the attack.

Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad (BACSP) organised the rally before the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. They also formed a human chain.

BACSP President Pari Chingtham presided over the programme while its general secretary Ananta Dhamai, Hill Women Federation President Chanchana Chakma, Dhaka University students Mohan Rabidas, Sabuj Baraik and Bipul Manab, among others, spoke.

Update about police attack on Chakma village in Teknaf : Police compel to sign villagers in white paper

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

Today (on 3 June 2012) around 12.00 noon a group of police from Cox’s Bazaar district led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Uttam Kumar Pal and Chhatradhar Tripura visited the Amtali Chakma village. It is learnt that police interrogated the villagers and compelled them to sign in white paper.

It is also reported that though police primarily claimed that some police personnel of Howaikong police post went to the Amtali village following a case filed by Abdul Haque to arrest the culprits. But at present, police tried to divert the incident to other direction in order to suppress the indigenous Chakma villagers.

It is also learnt that police mentioned in the dispatch (challan) form that the injured policeman Sipon Mian was wounded by one Bengali villager named Anowar Hossain. But local newspapers, namely, daily Cox’s Bazaar, Apon Kontho, Rupashi Gram, Bankkhali etc. intentionally reported today (3 June) that the policeman Sipon Mian was wounded by Chakma villagers.

Jumma villagers attacked by Bengali settlers with the intention to grab land in Barkal

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

$

Share this news

Share
Tweet

 

On 30 June 2012, three indigenous villagers including a woman of an indigenous family were allegedly attacked and injured by Bengali settlers with the intention to grab the land of that family in Barkal upazila of Rangamati district.

The victims were identified as Mr. Biro Kumar Chakma (60), Mr. Amar Kanti Chakma (28) s/o Biro Kumar Chakma and (3) Ms. Sangeet Mala Chakma (25) w/o Amar Kanti Chakma of village Amtala of Aimachara union under Barkal upazila in Rangamati district. Of them, seriously injured Biro Kumar Chakma was admitted to Barkal upazila Hospital and other two were released on that day after providing primary treatment.

It is learnt that on that day in the morning time Biro Kumar Chakma, his son Amar Kanti Chakma and daughter-in-law Sangeet Mala Chakma together went to their own land nearby their home to erect a house. At that time, Md. Amir Hossein (45) and his two sons Md. Jasim (21) and Md. Ibrahim (18) of nearby Bengali settler area of Amtala suddenly attacked them with stick and wood and beat indiscriminately, leaving the Jumma villager seriously injured. Of them, Biro Kumar Chakma sustained serious injuries on his head, shoulder and backside.

According to the victims, Bengali settler Md. Amir Hossein and his family coming from nearby Kalabunia area of Barkal upazila had already forcefully occupied paddy land of Biro Kumar Chakma and constructed house in 2006 on this land. At that time, Biro Kumar Chakma filed a general diary against Amir Hossain with Barkal police station. Now, again he is trying to snatch away the rest hilly land, the last property of Biro Kumar Chakma.

It is learnt that Biro Kumar Chakma put an allegation on the attack with the Barkal police station. But, till preparing the report, no action was reportedly taken by the police against the attackers.

Breaking News! Police attack on indigenous village in Teknaf, 11 injured & a woman gave birth to a premature baby due to inhuman torture

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

$

Share this news

Share
Tweet

Courtesy (Kapaeeng Foundation): A series of pictures above shows Police attacks on chakma community at villages of Howaikyong area under Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazaar district.

In the early hours of 30 May 2012 a group of police from Teknaf police station and miscreants of mainstream population led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Bakhtiar and local influential Abdul Haque raided indigenous Tanchangya (generally called Chakma themselves) villages of Howaikyong area under Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazaar district. In this attack, 9 houses were completely ransacked and 11 Chakma villagers were severely wounded. Besides, 7 villagers including 4 Chakma youths and students were arrested. One pregnant woman gave birth to a premature baby due to brutally torture and several women were sexually harassed.

It is learnt that on 29 May 2012 around 10.00 pm, a group of miscreants numbering 10-11 persons led by one policeman Sipon Mian (32), a village police member Md. Hossain and a local land grabber Md. Abdul Haque made an attack on Amtali Chakma village of Howaikyong union in Teknaf. They first raided the houses of Bhantu Ching Chakma (25) s/o late Neemong Chakma and Chingkyahla Chakma (40) s/o Chaigya U Chakma and tried to bring out young women from the houses. The neighbours of this village rushed there while the young women were shouting. Sensing public presence, the two police personnel and miscreants fled the area hurriedly.

Around 3.00 am on 30 May 2012, the police taking more police force from Howaikyong police post led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Bakhtiar and more musclemen led by local influential Abdul Haque again attacked Amtali Chakma villages. They beat the Chakma villagers indiscriminately and looted the valuables of the houses.

Sources said that the police and miscreants first raided the house of Ucha Thaoi Chakma (40) of Amtali village and arrested him without any allegation and then beat severely. At that time, 8-month pregnant his wife Ms. Malaimey Chakma (30) was also beaten indiscriminately while she tried to protect her husband from beating of attackers. Due to beating her indiscriminately, Malaimey gave birth to a premature baby. She was first admitted at local health complex at Teknaf and on 1 June she was transferred to Cox’s Bazaar district hospital with serious condition.

Then the miscreants raided the house of Pou Aung Chakma and looked for him and his son Shanti Mong Chakma. The miscreants ransacked and looted the house. The miscreants also tortured his daughter-in-law Ms. Chhaya Mee Chakma (28) while she tried to prevent them from ransacking and looting the house. In this attacked, hand of the Chhaya Mee Chakma was broken.

After that, the police and miscreants ransacked and looted the houses of Chhoi Mong Chakma, Nee Mong Chakma, Aung Kee Chakma, Ukhya Hla Chakma, Thowai Chha Chakma, Mong Thing Chakma and Sai Mong Goo Chakma. At that time, the gang leader of the attack Abdul Haque, Azizul Haque and Jahangir Alam (s/o Azizul Haque) inhumanly beat and molested Ms. Lucky Chakma (18) and Ms. Samiya Ching Chakma Sumi (15) in front of police.

In this attack, 9 houses of indigenous villagers were ransacked and 11 indigenous Chakma villagers including two girls and two boys were critically wounded. Of them, 4 innocent Chakma villagers were arrested without showing any allegation. The victims were identified as-

(1)   Ms. Lucky Chakma (18), beaten and sexually harassed;

(2)   Ms. Samiya Ching Chakma Sumi (15), beaten and sexually harassed;

(3)   Roi Mey Chakma (85), severely wounded

(4)   Usa King Chakma (55), severely wounded

(5)   Rima Sai Chakma (50), severely wounded

(6)   Kishore Uoisa Chakma (10), severely wounded

(7)   Sain Ming Chakma (9), severely wounded

(8)   Uchha Thain Chakma (35), severely wounded and arrested

(9)   Sathaing Chakma (25), severely wounded and arrested

(10)     Nayan Chakma driver (24), severely wounded and arrested

(11)     Sathai Sing Chakma (26), severely wounded and arrested

Consecutive raids by the police on indigenous villagers continued 30 and 31 May. Police encircled the village. At present, Aamtoli village is almost without any male members as they have fled their village fearing further attack and police harassment. It is learnt that the villagers are in grave fear even to bring the wounded to Cox’s Bazaar district headquarters for better treatment lest police arrest them.

It is reported that the gang leader of the attack Abdul Haque, Azizul Haque and Jahangir Alam (s/o Azizul Haque) occupied hilly land of local Buddhist temple and have been staying there erecting house on this land.

In addition, Abdul Haque has been trying to occupy land owned by indigenous Chakma villagers of Shukna Amtali village in Teknaf. In the arbitrations, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) gave decision/judgment in favour of indigenous Chakma villagers. Failing to win in the arbitration, Abdul Haque filed a false case against 11 Chakma villagers and 5 Bengali villagers of Shukna Amtali village with Teknaf police station on 13 May 2012.

It is reported that in the name of arresting the contestants of the said case, policeman Sipon Mian (32), a village police Md. Hossain, local chowkidar (village watchman) Majan and Md. Abdul Haque along with some musclemen went to the Amtali village (far from around 3 kilometers from Shukna Amtali village) basically with the aim to collect money from innocent Chakma villagers threatening to arrest them. Hearing the hue and cry of the victims, and thinking the victims might have been attacked by robbers, the villagers rushed there and attacked the assailants. In this counter attack, Sipon Mianh was critically injured. He is now undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College hospital.

Police falsely claimed that some police personnel of Hoaikong police post went to the Amtali village following a case filed by some Abdul Haque to arrest the culprits. Police also claimed that when police were returning with two accused arrested, the villagers swooped on them with sharp weapons, and gravely injured one of their colleagues namely Shipon Mian. But the villagers claimed that police’s version of the incident was fully fabricated and baseless. Police went to the Amtali village putting civil dress with the motive to conduct robbery in the name of searching accused persons.

Case panics Naogaon Adivasi clash victims

Source: The Daily Star

Having lost their bread-earners in the May 4 clash, families of four Adivasi labourers in Naogaon are passing their life in panic, as police recorded a case filed by the alleged killers against a number of unnamed Adivasi men.
The families expressed their fears on Friday when a group of social activists, including lawyers, journalists, and development activists led by columnist Syed Abul Maksud from Dhaka, visited them at Pungi Niboda village in Niamatpur.
Kristina Hembrom, wife of Ilias Mardi, one of the four murdered, alleged that police recorded a case of the killers, accusing 10-12 unnamed Adivasi people to counter their murder case.
“We are worried and fearing arrest any time for the case”, she said, in tears. Kristina said she was also anxious about her future with her two sons.
Ilias Mardi, Madan Hembrom, Moharam Marang and Koki Tudu were killed in a clash between the supporters of two rivalling land owners at Chalk Gopal village in Manda upazila, where they went to work after being hired by Abdul Alim, one of the owners.
Abdul Alim has been in feud with one Anwar Hossain over eight bighas of land.
Kristina said Alim hired five Adivasi labourers for harvesting paddy for a rate of Tk 2,500 per bigha a day before the clash. “Alim's offer was lucrative as labourers usually work at Tk 200 per day. Alim said he was having a shortage of labourers”.
The widows said they were not aware that their husbands had been hired.
“I felt like a bolt out of the blue when I heard of the murder", said Maina Hembrom, wife of Madan Hembrom. "And now police are also acting against us”.
The only surviving Adivasi man in the incident, Chandi Kisku, was now fleeing home following the case, they said.
Syed Abul Maksud told the families that they would pressure the government for ensuring justice.
Noted jurist Barrister Rafiq-ul Huq, who was also in the team of visitors, said recording a case against fellow men of the victims was like murdering the victims once more.
Asked why police took the case against the Adivasi men, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Naogaon YM Belalur Rahman said it was because Anwar Hossain claimed that Abdul Alim forcibly wanted to harvest crops of the land, of which he was the actual owner.
He said he would ask police not to harass or arrest the Adivasi men.
The visitors' team also included journalist Saleem Samad, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum organising secretary Saktipada Tripura, Dhaka University teacher Robaet Ferdous, and Kapaeeng Foundation's Dipayan Khisa.

5th meeting of the CHT Accord Implementation Committee held in Dhaka

Source: PCJSS

On 28 May 2012 the 5th meeting of the CHT Accord Implementation Committee was held at the office of the deputy leader of the Parliament of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka. The meeting started at 10.00 am and continued for more than two hours.

Presided over by convenor of the CHT Accord Implementation Committee and deputy leader Ms. Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, the meeting was attended by member of the committee Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, president of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and Mr. Jatindra Lal Tripura MP, chairman of the Task Force on rehabilitation of returnee refugees and IDPs. Besides, adviser to the prime minister on international affairs Dr. Gowher Rizvi was also present there on special invitation.

The agenda on amendment of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act of 2001, progress of implementation of the CHT Accord and overall situation in CHT were discussed in this meeting. It is learnt that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.

In this meeting, the CHT Accord Implementation Committee stuck to its stand on three points in the draft proposals for amendment to the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act of 2001 and cancelled another proposal for involvement of Land Ministry, Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) and CHT Accord Implementation Committee over the functions of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission. It is mentionable that CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) and Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) had finalised a draft bill for amending the Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act of 2001 with 13 proposals and the CHT Accord Implementation Committee in its last meeting endorsed them for amendment, but the Land Ministry sought fresh opinion on four proposals.

The Land Ministry objected to the proposal for replacing the Section 6(1)(a) that reads “To settle the land related dispute of the rehabilitated refugees in accordance with the existing laws and customs in the Chittagong Hill Tracts” with “In addition to quick settlement of the disputes of lands of the rehabilitated tribal refugees to settle, all disputes of lands, which have been illegally given in settlement and occupied in accordance with the existing laws, customs and usages of Chittagong Hill Tracts”.

The Land Ministry objected to the proposal for dropping the sub-section of section 6(1)(c) that reads, ‘Provided that, this sub-section shall not be applicable in case of Reserved Forests, Kaptai Hydroelectricity Project area, Betbunia Earth Satellite Station, state-owned industries and land recorded with the Government or local authorities.’

The Land Ministry objected to the proposal for replacing the words “another two members” with “another three members” of the Section 7(3) that reads, “Attendance of the Chairman and another three members on the meeting shall be necessary for maintaining quorum and the Chairman of the commission shall preside over all meetings.”

The Committee decided in the meeting that the three proposals mentioned above would remain the same. The CHT Accord Implementation Committee also decided the following for implementation-

(a)    To place a bill for amending the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act of 2001, in the current budget session of parliament;

(b)   To send draft bill for amending the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act of 2001 to the CHTRC to get its final consent prior to place in the parliament;

(c)    To transfer the subject “Land and Land Management” to the Hill District Councils as soon as possible;

(d)   To finalise the draft Rules of Business of the CHTRC and execution of the CHTRC complex project;

(e)    To grant necessary fund for CHTRC’s office-cum-rest house in Dhaka and CHTRC complex project;

(f)    To hold meeting of the CHT Accord Implementation Committee in every month.

In his discussion, Mr. Jatindra Lal Tripura raised to provide adequate fund to the Task Force on Rehabilitation of Returnee Refugees and IDPs for setting up its office, appointment of staff and logistics.

Mr. Larma raised the issues of declaration of a roadmap with timeframe in order to ensure effective implementation of CHT Accord, withdrawal of temporary camps, involvement of CHTRC in amending the NGO policy, controversial activities of chairman of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission etc.

Participating in the discussion on overall situation in CHT, Mr. Larma said that the CHT situation might go beyond control within the next couple of months if the government did not show visible progress in implementing the CHT Accord. The Jumma people do not want to hear promises anymore, they want deeds, he said.

Mr. Larma also informed the Committee about the anti-accord terrorist activities of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and Bengali settlers and asked to the government to ban the UPDF. He also informed about recent grenade attack on the students of Hill Students Council (PCP) in Rangamati, killing of Anil Chakma in Laxmichari by armed group of the UPDF, heinous raping and killing of 11-year old Sujata Chakma in Longadu by Bengali settlers etc. Mr. Larma said that the CHT people are passing their life with fear and insecurity due to non-implementation of CHT Accord.

Rights groups form a human chain urging to take action against increasing atrocities on indigenous peoples including women and children

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

On 24 May 2012 the All Walks of Citizen Groups formed a human chain organized urging the government of Bangladesh to take action against the increasing atrocities on indigenous peoples including women and children.

All Walks of Citizen Groups include Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, Jatiya Adiavsi Parishad, Kapaeeng Foundation, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Oxfam, ActionAid, Pahari Chattra Parishad, Adivasi Chattra Sangram Parishad, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network.

In a declaration read out during human chain, they said that “With great distress and anxiety, we observe that acts of attack, murder, rape and violence against indigenous peoples in various parts of the country have been increasing at an alarming rate. This has certainly attracted the attention of the conscientious citizens of Bangladesh and has made us gravely concerned. On May 19, a seven year old indigenous girl name Shagori Oraon was brutally raped and killed. On May 20, a grenade attack on unarmed Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) students injured at least 14. On 22 May, one of the victims, Mongsa Ching Marma, age 20, died at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) while undergoing treatment. Four more are severely injured and many of them will be disabled for good. On May 4, four indigenous farm workers were barbarically murdered! in the upazila of Manda in the Noagaon district. On May 9, Sujata Chakma, an 11-year old school girl from Longadu upazila in Rangamati district was raped and inhumanly hacked to death with a machete. Last but not the least, on April 28, an indigenous woman named Ms. Alpana Chakma alias Kalabi (45) of Jarulchara under Longadu upazila in Rangamati district was brutally assaulted and looted by Bengali settlers. These recent events are a reflection of the insecurity in which the indigenous people reside and a result of the naked racial hatred that the indigenous population faces.”

The declaration also added that “We form this human chain today to condemn the above incidents. In addition we want to clearly state that the government has failed to ensure the security of the marginalized communities of Bangladesh including their women and children, who are unable to lead a normal life. The security forces of the government has taken no action to prosecute the criminals under the justice/judicial system. We the civil society strongly urge the government administration to take immediate actions to protect the marginalized communities from violence. The civil society expresses its serious concern at the government’s negligence towards ensuring the overall security of the indigenous peoples, labourers, women and children. We observed carefully that even after the grenade attack o! n PCP the administration has remained quiet. Government has taken no steps to provide assistance to the injured. The civil society has noticed that bomb attacks on indigenous peoples have added a new dimension to the violence against indigenous peoples.

Rights groups also said that “The civil society of the country is furthermore concerned that the violence against religious and ethnic minor communities has risen recently all over the country. There were attacks on Hindu communities of Haathajari, Shaatkhira, Jamalpur in Chittagong where homes and temples were burnt down and looted. Racial torture on indigenous peoples has also increased alarmingly. The rate of raping and killings of indigenous women has also increased significantly as this gathering observes.”

The rights organisations strongly urged the government administration to take urgent actions to meet the following demands:

• To give exemplary punishment to the rapists and murderers of 7 year old Sagori Oraon from Badolgachi of Naogaon district and 11 year old Sujata Chakma from Longodu in Rangamati for their barbarous crimes.
• To ensure the formation of fair investigative committee to capture the culprits of the bomb attack on students of PCP in Rangamati on 20 May 2012.
• To arrest and punish the killers of 4 indigenous labourers in Manda of Naogaon and to compensate the families of the 4 victims for their loss and rehabilitate them to ensure their future from a special relief fund.
• To issue and implement a special action plan for ensuring the security of the marginalized workers and indigenous peoples.

Among others, president of Workers’ Party of Bangladesh MP Rashed Khan Menon, executive director of MJF Shahin Anam, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Sanjeeb Drong, Sharmin Shamim Morshed, executive director of RDC Mesbah Kamal, programme officer of Oxfam Saikat Biswas, Tahmina Haque of ActionAid et al spoke in the human chain.

A minor indigenous girl killed after rape in Naogaon

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation

On 19 May 2012 a 7-year old minor indigenous girl named Sagori Oraon was killed after rape by Bengali auto-rickshaw driver (Bhut-bhuti driver) named Nannu Mian (25) s/o Ataur Rahman at Mohammadpur village of Paharpur union under Badalgachi upazila of Naogaon district.

It is learnt that Nannu Mian, a resident of nearby Mohammadpur village, often visits to Shuka Oraon’s house where the victim along with her parents has been staying for a month. Thus a good relationship was built between Nannu Mian and Shula Oraon’s family. By taking the advantage of good relation, Nannu Mian himself introduced with Sagori Oraon.

On 19 May 2012 Nannu Mian took Sagori Oraon in the name of visiting his aunt’s house at Mohammadpur village. Then, on the way to her aunt’s house, Nannu Mian raped and killed the girl. Following day in the morning the villagers of the Mohammadpur village discovered the dead body of Sagori Oraon at banana garden. It is suspected that after killing Nannu Mian left dead body of Sagori Oraon at this banana garden at night.

Later the police of Bodolgachi police station rushed to the banana garden and recovered the dead body and sent for post mortem. It is learnt that genital organ of the victim was severely injured.

On 20 May 2012 at around 5.00 pm when the dead body was taken to the Bishpur village, a heart breaking scenario was appeared in the spot. The parents and elder brother of victim burst out crying at that time. Relating to this incident police filed a case. Mean while police arrested the parents and a cousin of Nannu Mian. At last on 23 May 2012 at around 5.00 pm police arrested the perpetrator Nannu Mian.

Please find a newspaper clipping attached herewith.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=235367

.........................

It is mentionable that recently attack on indigenous villagers living in northwest region of the country has increased. For instances-

On 4 May 2012 four indigenous laborers were killed and 10 more, including woman, seriously injured at Chakgopal field in Kashpur union of Manda upazila in Noagaon district in a clash over land dispute.

On 16 March 2012 a land grabber named Rois Uddin and his son Rabiul Islam of Dumuriya village under Godagari upazila with the help of police led by SI Mahbubur Rahman from Premtali police outpost under Godagari police station tried to occupy 13 bighas of homestead of Jadu Roy Bhuiyan of Shiyala village of Matikata union under Godagari upazila.

On 13 February 2012 and 26 February 2012 land grabber Kamal Rabbi and his gang made attack on the house of Rameshwar Baske at Saguna Jiban Para of Pakri union under Godagari upazila in Rajshahi district. Again, on 28 February 2012 Kamal Rabbi and his gang set fire on Jamin Hasda’s house of same village.

----

An indigenous woman gang raped by a group of miscreants in Sylhet

Source: Kapaeeng Foundation.

On 26 May 2012 at night a 25-year old indigenous woman was raped by a group of Bengali miscreants led by Chikon Ali (40) at Daloi Para village of Khadim Para union under Sylhet sadar upazila in Sylhet district. The victim was admitted at Sylhet Medical College hospital. A case was filed against the culprits with Shahporan police station of Sylhet. However, no culprit has been arrested so far.

It is learnt that Mr. Dipu Dio (38) has been working at the garden of advocate Nowraj Ali of Daloi Para village of Khadim Para union under Sylhet sadar upazila in Sylhet district. Mr. Dio stays there erecting a makeshift on the bank of the pond of this garden and just four months ago he got married the victim. On that day around 9.00 pm, they went to bed as usual. When they were just sleeping, a group of Bengali miscreants led by Chikon Ali forcefully entered the house of Dipu Dio and kept him at the water of pond fastening him strictly. Then they raped the victim. Hearing the shout of the victim, villagers of nearby area rushed there and rescued the victim and her husband. Sensing this, the culprits fled the area leaving the victim injured. After rescuing the victim with serious condition, she was taken to Sylhet Medical College hospital for treatment.

Sources confirm that medical test of the victim was conducted and positive result was found. A case in connection with this rape incident was filed by the victim with Shahporan police station in Sylhet against Chikon Ali (40) s/o late Monowar Ali, Ysuf Ali (35) s/o late Kanai Mian and Foisor Rahman (30) s/o Monowar Ali and other unknown 5/6 persons. However, no body was arrested by police.

An indigenous villager brutally beat by a group of miscreants in Sunamganj

On 28 May 2012 around 9.00 pm an indigenous villager named Tranis Howee (40) of Zumgaon village under Duwara upazila in Sunamganj district was brutally beaten by a group of miscreants belong to mainstream population. He sustained severe injuries on his body. He was admitted at Sylhet Medical College hospital.

Sources said that following a quarrelling regarding football match held at the village, Tranis Howee was attacked.

...........................

It is worth mentioning that communal attack, murder, rape and violence against indigenous peoples including women and children in various parts of the country have been increasing at an alarming rate. On 19 May 2012, a seven year old indigenous girl name Shagori Oraon was brutally raped and killed. On 20 May 2012, a grenade attack on unarmed students of Hill Student Council (PCP) was attacked leaving at least 14 innocent students injured. On 22 May 2012, one of the victims of this grenade attack named Mongsa Ching Marma (20) died at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) while undergoing treatment. On 4 May 2012, four indigenous farm workers were barbarically murdered in the upazila of Manda in the Noagaon district. On 9 May 2012, Sujata Chakma, an 11-year old school girl from Longadu upazila in Rangamati district was raped and inhumanly hacked to death with a machete. Last but not the least, on 28 April 2012, an ! indigenous woman named Ms. Alpana Chakma alias Kalabi (45) of Jarulchara under Longadu upazila in Rangamati district was brutally assaulted and looted by Bengali settlers. These recent events are a reflection of the insecurity in which the indigenous peoples reside and a result of the naked racial hatred that the indigenous peoples are facing.

----

Fresh grenade attack on unarmed PCP students by the UPDF in Rangamati leaves at least 14 seriously injured

Source: PCJSS

On 20 May 2012 anti-accord terrorist group United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) made a grenade attack on unarmed Jumma students at Kalyanpur area in Rangamati town. At least 14 activists of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) (Hill Students’ Council) were injured in this attack. All of the injured were taken to Rangamati General Hospital. Six of them were later shifted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and three who are seriously injured were referred to Dhaka Orthopedic Hospital by the CMCH.

It is learnt that PCP organised a public meeting at Gymnasium premises in Rangamati town on 20 May 2012 marking its 23th founding anniversary and 17th Council. Hundreds of Jumma students attended the meeting in which president of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma and convenor of Gono Oikya Committee Pankaj Bhattachariya from Dhaka were present as guest.

After attending the public meeting, like other students who came from different parts of the district, students of Swedish Polytechnic Institute of Kaptai started to return to their hostel in Kaptai by bus. On the way, they halted at patrol pump situated at Kalyanpur area to wait other some fellows. At that time around 3.30 pm, a grenade from a running auto-rickshaw bound to College Gate was thrown targeting the students of Swedish Polytechnic Institute and blasted leaving 14 students including one passerby seriously injured.

Of the injured, Jibon Chakma and Kamanashish Chakma (21) s/o Arabindu Chakma were admitted at Dhaka Orthopedic Hospital and Babudhan Chakma (20) s/o Punya Ranjan Chakma was at Dhaka Heart Institute. Other three injured namely Mongsa Ching Marma (20) s/o Kyaw Ching Marma, Nipun Chakma s/o Ushamoy Chakma and Joni Chakma (18) d/o Kulapradip Chakma were undergoing treatment at CMCH. Besides, Bhushan Chakma (20) s/o Chittamoy Chakma, Ronel Chakma (16) s/o Biplab Chakma, Kushal Chakma (20) s/o Tarun Bikash Chakma and Belal s/o Kalu were undergoing treatment at Rangamati General Hospital while Mongma Marma (20) s/o Chathui Prue Marma, Chainu Prue Marma s/o Suisathong Marma, Abuching Marma s/o Mongsuri Marma and Kamalesh Chakma were released after first aid.

It is learnt that the chest and legs of Jibon Chakma are almost smashed. Condition of Kamanashish Chakma and Babudhan Chakma are very serious.

It is worth mentioning that since its inception, anti-accord element UPDF have been conducting terrorist activities including kidnapping, killing, extortion etc. in order to hinder implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord signed in 1997 between the Government of Bangladesh and the PCJSS and to fulfill its vested interest by making CHT situation turmoil. After the signing of the Accord, UPDF killed more than 250 supporters of CHT Accord including 85 PCJSS members. UPDF also made several armed attacks on president of the PCJSS and chairman of the CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, though Mr. Larma could narrowly escape from killing.

As part of its killing activities, on 19 May 2012 early in the morning armed group of UPDF made an armed attack on the house of Anil Chakma at Jurgachari under Laxmichari in Khagrachari. In this attack, Anil Chakma who was chairman of Laxmichari union and president of Laxmichari branch of PCJSS was shot death and two other villagers namely Shanti Ranjan Chakma (25) s/o Samiran Chakma and Mohendra Chakma (42) s/o Jagat Chakma sustained bullet injuries. Anil Chakma was targeted as he joined to the PCJSS protesting terrorist and autocratic activities of UPDF and is organising general public in Laxmichari area to oppose terrorist activities of UPDF.

Ministry of LGRD issues a racial letter against indigenous peoples

Submitted by: Kapaeeng Foundation

On 11 March 2012 Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MoLGRD) issued a racial letter against adivasi (indigenous) peoples. Indigenous leaders protested against this racial letter and termed it as fanatic act of the government. They demanded to withdraw it immediately.

The letter titling “regarding celebration of indigenous peoples day” signed by deputy secretary of the MoLGRD Dr. Md. Sarowar Bari was sent to all deputy commissioners (DCs) of the country on 11 March 2012. The DCs forwarded to Upazila Executive Officers (UNOs) and UNOs forwarded to all Union Parishads (UPs), the lower administrative unit of the country.

The letter also stated that in April 2010 a bill named “Small Ethnic Group Cultural Institute Bill 2009 was passed in the parliament. Recently these ethnic communities were termed as small ethnic group in the constitution. On 26 July 2011 foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni briefed diplomats and development associates that the tribal people of the CHT are not indigenous peoples. The letter also stated that like previous years, this year indigenous peoples are going to undertake several programmes on the occasion of the next indigenous peoples day on 9 August. They may organise adivasi fair, cultural show, seminar, rally and other programmes at different places of the country including Shaheed Minar, Cox’s Bazar and even on electronic media on the occasion of next indigenous peoples day. The national dailies may publish supplementary issue on this occasion. With this backdrop, MoLGRD, in said letter, asked all the dep! uty commissioners-

(a) to issue necessary direction that no important person of the government delivers any speech to be contradictory to the government policy on indigenous peoples during the indigenous peoples day.

(b) to monitor intensively that no support from government side is granted to any programme of the indigenous peoples day.

(c) to take necessary measure to propagate that there is no indigenous peoples in Bangladesh, by collecting necessary information and evidences in this regard.

(d) the month of August is a mourning month, so unnecessary delighting ceremony should not be organised during this month.

Organising secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Mr. Shakti Pada Tripura said that it is nothing but a racial act of the government. Every citizen has rights to liberty, freedom of assembly and association. Constitution of the country stipulates that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste etc. So, the letter issued by MoLGRD is direct violation of the fundamental rights of the constitution. He also added that Awami League-led grand alliance government is acting more fanatic than the communal and fundamentalist groups.

Chairperson of Kapaeeng Foundation and president of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad Mr. Rabindranath Soren protested against the letter of MoLGRD and demanded to withdraw it immediately.

Video: Islamic zealots unleashes terror destroying Hindu temples and houses at Nandirhat, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Islamic zealots attacked Hindu temple and shops at Hathazari, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Share this news

Share
Tweet









please visit this url to view more on this news: http://www.causes.com/causes/313616-help-save-bangladesh-minorities/actions/1596087

• 
  

Chittagong, Feb 10 (bdnews24.com) -- Authorities clamped Section 144 banning public gathering at Hathazari on Friday amid mounting tensions after several Hindu temples were vandalised and torched there.

Local people claimed religious bigots of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir incited the vandalism and arson of the temples from Thursday evening to Friday noon.

Tensions that boiled over into violence originated Thursday morning following rumours that a mosque had been attacked. Allegations have it that houses of Hindus in the area were also attacked. The leaders of the Hindu minority there blamed the 'indifference' of the administration for the situation.
Another group of people took to the Chittagong-Rangamati road blocking traffic from Nandirhat to Hathazari Sadar upazila around 11am Friday. They also said their Friday prayers on the road.

They alleged a mosque had allegedly been hurled with brick bats from a procession of Loknath Sebashram Thursday morning. The blockaders demanded arrest of those linked with 'hurling brick bats on the mosque'.

After simmering tensions through the day, primary and mass education minister Afsarul Ameen, city Awami League president A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Chittagong Development Board chairman Abdus Salam and city Awami League's joint secretary Ibrahim Hossain Chowdhury Babul went to the area and calmed the agitated locals in the afternoon.

"Tensions mounted following a misunderstanding. Security in temples and mosques in the area has been strengthened and the law enforcers have been alerted," Ameen said.

Chittagong district deputy commissioner Faiz Ahmed told reporters about the ban on public assembly through the imposition of Section 144.

"Police will take action if they see any gathering," he said.

TIT FOR TAT: THE ORIGIN

According to the local people, Hindus in the area took out a procession to celebrate the founding anniversary of Loknath Sebasram Thursday morning.

They used microphone and drums in the procession.

When the procession was passing a mosque, Muslims in the mosque forbade them to drums. At one stage, someone hurled a brick bat on the procession.

An altercation took place at once which turned into chase and counter-chase when someone from the procession responded by throwing a brick bat.

Police organised a meeting between the two parties which was allegedly delayed with ill-intention. A group of Muslims said that the meeting will be held in the mosque and the Hindus agreed.

The meeting started in the evening. Requesting anonymity, several of those who attended the meeting told bdnews24.com that a handful of miscreants vandalised a temple on the Loknath Sebasram premises when the meeting was underway.

They also vandalised seven to eight cars of the temple's visitors.

Puja Udjapon Committee convenor Ashok Kumar Deb told bdnews24.com that someone broke a windowpane of the mosque after the incident in the morning and a rumour that Hindus vandalised the mosque spread in the area.

On Friday morning, temples in the area were vandalised and shops owned by Hindus were torched and looted after madrasa students in the area gathered following an announcement through a PA system.

A bdnews24.com correspondent in Chittagong said he saw tell-tale signs of vandalism in three other temples in the area. They are the Sri Sri Jagadeshwari Ma Temple and Jagannath Bigroho Temple at Nandirhat and Kalibari Temple at Sadar upazila.

The Sri Sri Jagadeshwari Ma Temple was burnt, too.

JAMAAT-SHIBIR BLAMED

Many of the people in the area said a quarter is provoking the incident and Zila Parishad administrator M A Salam pointed the finger at Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

As the area is only three kilometres away from the Chittagong University (CU), many of the leaders and activists of Chhatra Shibir's CU unit live there.

Moreover, the largest madrasa of the country is located in the area and Shibir allegedly controls it.