International Council for the Indigenous Peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts (ICIP-CHT) has urged the government to take legal action against the perpetrators of the recent arson attack on indigenous communities in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari.
It also called for proper compensation for the victims and necessary steps to prevent such attacks on indigenous communities, said a press release.
On August 3, houses of indigenous community families in Matiranga upazila were torched and looted allegedly by Bangalee settlers following the “abduction” of a motorbike rider, Md Kamal, 32, in Taindang area.
Following the attack, a total of 380 families of indigenous Tripura community fled and took shelter in neighbouring area, according to Kapeeng Foundation, a human rights organisation for indigenous people.
ICIP-CHT also urged the international community, including the United Nations, to raise concerns with Bangladesh to establish rule of law, restore human rights, and rights of indigenous people in the CHT and assist in rebuilding homes and livelihoods of the victims.