'Govt oppressing minorities like Pakistanis'

Referring to the attack on Adivasi people in Langadu upazila of Rangamati, speakers at a press briefing has alleged that the government is oppressing the minorities the way the Pakistanis had persecuted Bangladeshi people. When the state considers some people not to be its citizen, the latter's homes are burnt down, they said while addressing the event, protesting the June 2 attack that Bangali settlers had launched on the Adivasis. Bangladesh Adivasi Forum (BAF) and Kapaeeng Foundation jointly organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha, Dhaka on Friday morning. Dhaka University (DU) Associate Professor Robaet Ferdous said: “Through the political demography, the indigenous peoples in the country are reeling from a growing insecurity and being deprived of a peaceful life.” The Adivasi-Bangali ratio in the hill tracts had stood at 98:2 in 1947, while the current figure is 54:46, which he said is caused by the political demography. “Repeated attacks on them [Adivasis] and their properties over the years are leaving them traumatised,” he observed. Adivasis leaving in peace resembles what situation any country goes through and any government is bound to help the minority group, he said. Even a month after the attack, the government is yet to take any measure to rehabilitation the affected Adivasis in Langadu and they are not even given any relief package as yet, which is a big failure of the state, said DU Profesor Dr. Mesbah Kamal. He said, “Some influential quarters are trying to make them (Adivasis) refugees. And, the Adivasis fleeing their homes is a burning example of such an attempt. ” From 1989 till date, 13 people were killed in communal attacks in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. But, none of the victims got justice, he said. Stating that 236 houses and shops were completely damaged and 87 other establishments were partially gutted in the attack, BAF General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong, Bangladesh Adivasi said:“ On June 25, Langadu Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) tried to disburse Tk1000 and distribute 20kg rice to each victim family, but they rejected the the relief.” He also said, “The affected Adivasis need relief package and rehabilitation as they are still living in shelter centers. So, we are drawing attention of the government to focus on them, demanding justice for them.” The organisers placed several demands including immediate allocation and implementation of a separate relief package for the affected Adivasis, their rehabilitation, immediate attest and trial of the people linked to the attack, provide books and other materials to the affected students and ensure them a safer education life and declare a work plan for full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. Earlier, a 75-year-old woman named was burnt alive and several hundred adivasi establishments were reportedly looted and burnt to ashes by local Bangali settlers on June 2, in protest of the death of a Bangali for-hire motorcycle driver. Tension began on June 1 afternoon after the body of a motorcycle driver was found near Khagrachhari Sadar-Dighinala road. Bangalis took the body to his village home in Langadu and campaigned to organise protests alleging that the adivasi people were responsible for this death, leading to the rampage. The Bangali settlers also looted valuables from their homes. Bangalis claimed that the driver, Nurul Islam Noyon, was a Jubo League activist hailing from Baitya Para of Langadu. According to the Adivasis, they incurred a loss of around Tk 33.55 crore with 256 school and college students directly affected in the attack.