Attack condemned

Rights activists and eminent personalities yesterday strongly condemned the killing of indigenous people and arson attacks on their houses at Baghaihat in Rangamati on Saturday.
In separate statements, they demanded formation of a judiciary commission to probe the incident and punishment to the attackers.
They called on the government to provide food and treatment facilities for the affected families and ensure their rehabilitation.
They also called for deployment of police force formed with indigenous people and Bangalees.
They urged the government to activate the Chittagong Hill Tracts land commission to resolve land disputes.
The organisations included Bangladeshi Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, Gono Forum, Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK), Bangladesh Legal and Services Trust (BLAST), Association for Land and Development (ALRD), Nijera Kori, Brac's Human Rights and Legal Aid Programme, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB), Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Students Council, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Gonotantrik Bam Morcha, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Gono Sangskriti Front, Jatiya Gono Front and Sammilito Samajik Andolon.
In a joint statement, 29 eminent personalities demanded a discussion on the issue in parliament.
They also called for formation of a parliamentary group who will talk to the affected people and the administration to calm the situation.
The signatories included Prof Mosharraf Hossain, Prof Anisuzzaman, Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam, Prof Rangalal Sen, Ajay Roy, Maj Gen (retd) Shafiullah, Prof Dr Syed Anwar Hossain, Barrister Sara Hossain and Prof Abul Barakat.