Feeling of insecurity among ethnic people increases to all-time high

Anwara Syed Haque speaks at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On her left are Pankaj Bhattacharya, Prof Syed Anwar Hossain and Saleem Samad.Photo: STAR

Feeling of insecurity among indigenous people living in Rangamati and Khagrachhari have increased to all-time high as violence might occur in the area at any time, according to a report prepared by Manobatabadi Nagorik Samaj.
"With rumours spreading, tension between the feuding groups in Khagrachhari and Baghaihat has been mounting and it seems that bigger violence might occur at any moment," said the report.
Manobatabadi Nagorik Samaj, a platform for eminent people including writers, politicians and intellectuals, published the report at a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday.
The report mentioned that firing by law enforcers led to deaths at Baghaihat in Rangamati and that the police remained inactive during the incidents of arson and looting.
"On the other hand, the police later arrested victims of the violence. As a result, local residents, specially the ethnic minorities, lost confidence in the police," the report said.
Manobatabadi Nagorik Samaj prepared the report on the basis of interviews with indigenous people, Bangalees, political activists, police and district administration officials.
The report also mentioned irregularities in distribution of relief among the victims.
The organisation placed a ten-point recommendation, including appointment of impartial government officials in the district administration and law enforcement agencies and an end to the practice of transferring government official to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) as punishment.
Other demands include immediate implementation of CHT peace accord, withdrawal of unnecessary army camps and immediate investigation into the incident and arrest of the culprits.
Psychologist and litterateur Anwara Syed Haque read out a written statement at the press conference. Prof Syed Anwar Hossain, columnist Masuda Bhatti, journalist Saleem Samad, Jobaida Nasreen, Aditi Falguni and Bazlur Rashid were present.