The ethnic people in hill villages of Rangamati’s Langadu Upazila are still gripped in fear a year after their homes were burnt by Bangalis during a the protest over the death of a local Juba League leader.
Locals said that situation is comparatively better and though the government started building houses for the victims. But, everyone stays alert to avoid any attacks
The body of Nurul Islam Nayan, then organizing secretary of Jubo League Laongdu union unit, had been found near the Khagrachari-Dighinala Road area on Jun 1 last year.
The next day, 213 families of Tintila Pahra, Batya Parha, and Boradarm villages lost their homes in an arson attack while Nayan’s funeral was underway.
In a bid to compensate the victims, the government allocated Tk 90 million to build 176 houses with works beginning on May 30 this year.
Rights activist Kishore Chakma filed a case on behalf of the victims. “Houses are being built, but I don’t think security condition is any better,” he told Bangla Tribune.
Kishiore, a member of the ethnic group, said several suspects are now released from jail after securing bail.
“What was our crime? Why did they burn our houses? We assured (the Bangalis) of our cooperation to catch the killers of Nayan. But they didn’t listen and set fire to houses,” Kishore Chakma languished.
Langadu Union Parishad Chairman Kulin Mitra Chakma described the attack as a plot to ‘damage the long-standing relation’ between Bangalis and ethnic people. “But they would not be able to do so anymore.”
Police claim that the perpetrators were in custody. “The Criminal Investigation Department is probing the incident,” said Langadu Police OC Ranjan Kumar.
He said they were on alert to thwart any incident which may destabilize law and order.
On May 30 this year, the housing rehabilitation programme for the Landgadu arson victims was inaugurated by local Awami League leader Dipangkar Talukder, who served as the state minister for CHT Affairs.
Speaking at the ceremony, he vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also assured extending the government’s food support scheme by a year and promised government compensation 18 businesses, damaged in the attack on Jun 2 last year.