'Bring Longadu arson attackers to book'

Rangamati Longadu arson attack victims formed a human chain in Longadu upazila headquarters of the district yesterday demanding exemplary punishment to the culprits who attacked three indigenous villages in the upazila on June 2 last year.

A year into the incident, the victims are yet to get houses. They were promised rehabilitation by the government, they are still living in makeshift conditions, said the speakers at the programme.

A good number of families from the three affected villages of Tintila Para, Manikjowr Chara and Battye Para still live in makeshift huts beside the burned houses.

They also urged the authorities concerned to punish the killers of 70-year-old Guno Mala Chakma. She was inside the house during the arson attack at Tintila village.

Kulin Mitro Chakma, chairman of Longudu Union Parishad (UP), Mongol Kanti Chakma, chairman of Atarok Chara UP, Manik Kumar Chakma, headman of Longadu, among others, spoke.

Later, they submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through Longadu upazila nirbahi officer in this regard.

On June 1 last year, Longadu local Jubo League leader Nurul Islam Nayan's body was found at Dighinalana-Khagrachhari road in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila. He traveled from Longadu to Khagrachhari on a motorbike with a passenger.

After the incident, Bangalee settlers brought out a mourning procession from Longadu Battye Para. At one stage, they unleashed a series of arson attacks on the indigenous community in Longadu.

According to the victims, 224 houses were looted, vandalised and torched during the unrest.