Probe Bangladesh violence: ethnic minorities

DHAKA - Five groups of ethnic minorities have demanded a probe into violence by Muslim settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh.

The leaders of the affected communities, who are Buddhists, have made the request to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Office.

In a memorandum, they sought a “people’s inquiry commission” to investigate the violent attacks in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts and the arrest of the attackers.

They also demanded taka two million ($6,800) compensation for each affected family, reconstruction of damaged shrines and rehabilitation of the victims, New Age newspaper reported Tuesday.

The government says one person was killed in the violence but the tribals say six people died in attacks by Muslims settled by the government in the two districts.

Hundreds of houses were burnt and several places of worship vandalised.