Expressing grave concern over the recent attack on indigenous people in Rangamati by the ruling party men, the International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission has suggested dialogue among all the communities, instead of use of force, to solve the conflicts.
At least 30 people were reportedly injured on January 10 when a procession of the Hill Students Council protesting the inauguration of a new medical college came under attack by ruling party men.
“The local administration invoked section 144 for an indefinite period of time in the municipality in the name of bringing the situation under control. However, despite the ban [on gathering] in effect, a group of Bangalis carried out violent attacks on Pahari homes and stores in Bhedbhedi, Champak Nagar, Tribal Adam, Banarupa, Ananda Bihar and other areas. And this resulted in a communal riot between Bangalis and Paharis,” the CHTC said in a statement yesterday.
The rights body demanded treatment and compensation for the victims, and trial of those responsible for “instigating the communal violence.”
The Commission says there has been no “practical and reliable analysis” of how much the Pahari community would be benefited if a medical college is established in the hill region.
“On the other hand, it is not unfounded to think that more non-Pahari teacher-student-staff from outside the area will come in to the CHT and the discrimination against the Paharis will increase further.”
The statement signed by three co-chairs of the CHTC including Sultana Kamal says: “In our opinion, Pahari people rightfully feel that there are much more urgent and unfinished work at present than establishing a medical college or a science and technology university.
“Though 17 years have passed since signing of the Peace Accord, the Land Commission has still not been given powers to conduct its work properly by enabling eviction of illegal land grabbers and give the Paharis back their land. The Hill District Councils and the Regional Council have not been given powers by which these institutions can carry out their work fully.”
As long-term measure to end tension in the region, the commission suggested that the government take “decisive and effect steps” without delay with regard to immediate implementation of the “basic un-implemented clauses of the 1997 Peace Accord.”
It also called for immediate steps to amend the articles of the Land Conflict Resolution Commission Act that go against the Peace Accord. The newly-elected chairman of the commission must take fully unbiased and effective steps with regard to resolution of land conflicts, and to this end, favourable conditions must be created for the Paharis to exercise their rights.”
The commission also suggested that efforts be made to establish a police force and village defence party comprising both Paharis and Bangalis in order to improve law and order in the region.
The statement says: “The problems of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are increasing day by day due to such ill-intended schemes. The same sort of violence was perpetrated against the Paharis with regard to land acquisition by the BGB in Babuchara of Khagrachhari as well as in Rowanghcari in Bandarban.
“Such continuous land grabbing by the government has given rise to a crisis in credibility among the Paharis. Neither is the communal incident in Rangamati merely due to rising tension on a particular day. It took the form of protest due to the mistrust accrued over many years.”
