Parliamentary caucus for ethnic rights
A parliamentary caucus on indigenous affairs was formed with 17 parliamentarians yesterday to protect the rights of indigenous people.
Prof Mesbah Kamal, member of the technical assistance committee of the caucus, expressed concern over the unabated tension at Baghaichhari in Rangamati.
Caucus members said the government should arrest the perpetrators and award them exemplary punishment.
They include Fazle Hossain Badsha, Nawab Ali Abbas Khan, Hasanul Haque Inu, Mahiuddin Khan Badal, Ruby Rahman, Rawshan Jahan Sathi, Rashed Khan Menon and Amina Ahmed.
Various socio-political, human rights and non-governmental organisations voiced concern over the tension in the CHT following the attack on indigenous people at Baghaichhari.
United People's Democratic Front strongly condemned the "mass arrest and physical torture" on 60 people including its members and members of indigenous communities.
They alleged that some army men and settlers are trying to hide the facts of the incident in which ethnic people were killed and their houses were looted and burnt down.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu and Secretary General Sharif Nurul Ambia expressed concern over the acrimony in Baghaichhari.
Terming the role of the CHT administration in the incident mysterious, they sought the premier's intervention in the matter. They said a vested quarter is out to create obstacle to implementation of the CHT Peace Treaty.
Bangladesh Juba Moitree President Sadakat Khan Babul and Secretary General Mostafa Alamgir Ratan termed the incident at Baghaichhari a conspiracy to create tension in the CHT.
They said a vested group is trying to create chaos in the country at a time when the government is preparing to hold trial of war criminals.
Expressing concern over the flare-up in the hills, Manusher Jonno Foundation said the activities carried out by the foundation in collaboration with 20 indigenous development organisations are being hampered due to the incident.
Naya Ganotantrik Gano Morcha, Karmojibi Nari and Communist Party of Bangladesh also condemned the incident and demanded punishment of the culprits.
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