The leaders and activists of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, students’ wing of the United People’s Democratic Front, yesterday criticised the government for patronising land grabbing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts through its agencies and the Bangali settlers.
They alleged that the settlers backed by the army had launched arson attack on three villages in Naniachar of Rangamati on December 16 as part of the government conspiracy to uproot the hill communities from their lands systemically.
The remarks came from a rally held at Bogachhari Karuna Buddha Bihar, which also came under attack on that day, to distribute school dress, books and stationary items among children of the affected families, said a statement.
The Rangamati and Khagrachhari units of the PCP organised the meeting urging students to “rise against the state’s activities.”
At least 55 houses of the indigenous communities were burnt to ashes in the attack carried out by several hundred Bangali settlers in the morning of December 16. The attackers also assaulted the monk at Karuna Bihar, and looted idols and cash.
According to the local government officials, military persons and indigenous people, the attack occurred following an allegation of vandalism in the settlers’ pineapple orchard situated in nearby Chouddo Mile area.
After the attacks, the UPDF activists demonstrated in the area. They also blamed the army for assisting the Bangali people during the attack.
During yesterday’s rally, the speakers said the government was implementing “divide and rule” policy in the CHT alongside evicting the indigenous people in the name of carrying out development activities.
They criticised the army, paramilitary force BGB and the settlers for land grabbing, killings and rape.
Those who spoke at the programme include PCP Rangamati unit President Bablu Chakma and General Secretary Anil Chakma; PCP central committee General Secretary Riton Chakma; Ganatantrik Jubo Forum Joint Secretary Sorbanondo Chakma; and Hill Women’s Federation Organising Secretary Rina Chakma.
