15 hurt as ethnic violence continues in Bangladesh

DHAKA - At least 15 people were injured Tuesday as Buddhist tribals clashed with Muslim settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in continuing ethnic violence in Bangladesh.

The southeastern region, home to indigenous tribals, witnessed a daylong blockade of road and waterways by tribals protesting last Saturday’s killings. While the government has confirmed two deaths, media reports quoting the tribals have said at least five people were killed at a village in Rangamati district.

Ethnic people under the banner of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) enforced the blockade in Khagrachhari town of the district.

A clash ensued as the settlers led by Parbatya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) chased a procession brought out by the picketers.

Around 1,000 people took part in the human chain programme in front of the Rangamati deputy commissioner’s office.

During the clash, people vandalised at least 20 vehicles, Star Online said, adding a TV reporter, Talat Mamun, who went to Khagrachhari to cover the incident, was among the injured.

The CHT region has witnessed recurring violence between the tribals and the Muslims settled there as part of the policy of successive governments to keep the region under control.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached an accord with the tribals, in order to end prolonged insurgency, during her last tenure but many provisions of the accord remain to be implemented.

Withdrawing army camps is one of them. The government’s move to vacate those camps has met with resistance from the settlers who seek their protection.

In the current round of violence, the tribals have accused the army of taking sides with the settlers and resorting to indiscriminate firing. Their leaders have sought Hasina’s intervention to end violence.