Family members of the victims and those affected by the recent communal violence in the hills have demanded an investigation under the supervision of the United Nations.
They also called for exemplary punishment for those responsible.
This demand was made during a press conference held at the Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Hall in the National Press Club on Sunday.
Kukumoni Chakma, a survivor and witness to the violence, read the written statement at the conference.
She said: "On September 19 and 20, communal attacks targeted hill residents in Dighinala, Swarnirbhar of Khagrachhari, and Rangamati town. Four people were killed, and over a hundred were injured. Two of the critically injured are currently receiving treatment in Chittagong. In Dighinala, 105 shops were damaged, and in Rangamati, at least 100 businesses were affected.
“The attackers also stormed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council office in Rangamati, setting fire to nine vehicles and a motorcycle. They attacked, vandalized, and looted the Buddhist religious institution Maitri Bihar. Only after the violence ended did authorities impose Section 144 in Rangamati and Khagrachhari.”
She added that on September 21, three interim government advisers visited Rangamati, and information adviser Nahid Islam toured the affected areas in Dighinala, meeting with local residents and victims.
"Despite the government's formation of a seven-member investigation committee on September 26, none of the attackers involved in the killings and looting have been arrested yet. Fear and panic still grip the hill communities,” she said.
Ruposhi Chakma, mother of the deceased Junan Chakma, and Niranta Tripura, mother of the deceased Rubel Tripura, both demanded a thorough investigation into the murders of their children and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
At the press conference, five demands were presented to the interim government:
- Form a strong investigative committee under the supervision and participation of the United Nations and ensure exemplary punishment for the culprits.
- Assess the damages to life and property, and provide adequate compensation to the families of the victims, the injured, and the owners of the affected homes and businesses.
- Ensure immediate and proper treatment for the injured who are hospitalized.
- Dismiss military and civilian officials involved in the communal violence during the Sheikh Hasina administration and prosecute them under military and civilian law.
- Take political initiatives to restore peace and stability in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and withdraw military rule and settlers from the region.
