Aug 27, 2013

Chittagong Hill Tracts: Protect The Indigenous Communities


After the Taindong attack in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, justice for the victims is being demanded along with the protection of indigenous communities.

Below is an article from dhakatribune.com:

Justice for the victims of the Taindong attack in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is being demanded by civil society representatives, law-makers and journalists. The government should heed their call and ensure that adequate measures are taken against the perpetrators, not only for the sake of justice for the victims but also to protect peace in this volatile region.

On August 3, Bangali settlers allegedly attacked 11 indigenous villages in the Taindong area. 36 houses were burnt to ashes and around 400 houses and two Buddhist temples were plundered and vandalised by the attackers.

The representatives of the various groups demanding justice have claimed that the attack was part of a systematic campaign to grab the land of the indigenous people. Human rights groups have previously accused the land administration body and law enforcement of routinely siding with the Bangali settlers over the indigenous population.

The fact that incidents like this keep happening with alarming frequency, in spite of the protestations of various rights groups, demonstrates the entrenched discrimination that the indigenous communities face.

Leaving these types of attacks against a vulnerable population unpunished is not only shameful for the nation, but it also calls into question the good will of the government in implementing the peace process in the CHT region.

The government needs to ensure that the Taindong victims are properly compensated and exemplary punishment is given to the perpetrators before the trust between the communities and the prospect of peace is further damaged.