Human rights watchdog Amnesty International on Monday called for Bangladesh to bring to justice those responsible for torching the homes of indigenous people in Langadu upazila of Rangamati on Friday.
Furthermore, the international organisation also condemned what it sees as breaches of the right to peaceful assembly by law enforcement agencies in the country and gave a number of recommendations to Bangladeshi authorities regarding both issues.
“Police had as of 5 June arrested 12 people in connection with the violence [at Langadu], and the central government has promised compensation and aid to those who lost their homes. While these steps are welcome, Bangladeshi authorities have a poor track record of holding Bengali settlers to account for violent attacks on indigenous people,” London-based rights group Amnesty International said in a statement.
In addition, Amnesty drew attention to a protest against the violence at Dighinala of Khagrachhari held on Sunday, when “although the protest was peaceful, it was violently dispersed by police and army personnel shortly after it started. Soldiers punched and beat some of the protesters with sticks, leaving at least seven people with minor injuries.”
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The rights organisation also claimed that the arrest of protest organisers Nitimoy Chakma and Jibon Chakma was unrelated to the protests, as the cases under which they were detained were filed months ago.
“Amnesty International believes that both men have been arrested purely for exercising their right to peaceful protest, and calls for their immediate release,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, Amnesty recommends a thorough, independent and impartial investigation with results made public, prosecution of those suspected to be responsible in fair and transparent trials without the death penalty, a public condemnation from the government of attacks against indigenous people as well as measures to prevent reoccurrences, and respect for the right to peaceful assembly with investigations into allegations of excessive force used by security officials.
In the morning of Friday, June 2, a large group Bangali settlers torched over 300 homes belonging to indigenous people in Langadu, allegedly as the former believed the latter had killed a man found dead near the Khagrachhari Sadar-Dighinala road.Langadu, 1989A similar attack was orchestrated by the local Bangali people in Tintila area of Langadu on May 4 in 1989 with the help of the security forces – during the rule of deposed military dictator HM Ershad. But that was more devastating.
It took place within a couple of hours after the death of then Langadu upazila chairman Abdur Rashid in a gun attack.
At least 36 Adivasi people including women and children were killed – shot or hacked to death – while some went missing in the attack that was carried out in six villages, according to Amnesty.
Several hundred houses, many Buddhist temples and two churches were torched. Those who escaped took shelter in hills and dense forests. Many of them later crossed the border in Tripura.
The matter did not get media attention immediately due to censorship by the then autocratic government. On May 9, as many as 22 distinguished citizens including Chief of Chakma Circle Devasish Roy, and lawmakers Chaithowai Roaza and Sudipta Dewan issued a statement demanding a judicial inquiry into the attacks terming it Langadu Genocide.
Adivasi students of Dhaka organised the first protest procession on May 21 demanding trial of the culprits and compensation for the victims. Buddhist monks brought out a silent procession on May 30.
Monday, July 20, 2026
