Impossible to build discrimination-free country with continued unrest in CHT, protesters say demanding 'political solution'
It is not possible to build a discrimination-free country with the continued violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) as the issue needs to be resolved politically, speakers said at a rally today (21 September).
Any problem of ethnic groups is a problem for the whole country and it should be solved politically without using force, they said at the rally, held under the banner of 'Samatal Adivasi Students, Youth and General People' in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University this afternoon.
The speakers also protested the recent attacks, arson and shootings in the houses and establishments of minority ethnic groups in the three hill districts and demanded justice.
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The protesters raised a six point-demand that includes compensation for victims of violence in Khagrachhari's Dighinala, rehabilitation of the families of the deceased and treatment to the injured, and compensation to all owners of shops and houses vandalised and set on fire in hilly areas.
The demands also include formation of an inquiry commission under the supervision of the United Nations and exemplary punishment to those guilty of the attacks, safety of life and property of the residents of the hill districts, and the full implementation of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Treaty within the next six months.
Ujjal Azim, sports, education and culture secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, presided over the rally addressed by Dr Gajendranath Mahato, Falguni Tripura, and Ripon Chandra Banai among others. A protest march was also held after the rally.
Recently, violent clashes erupted in the hill districts of Khagrachhari and Rangamati, leaving four people dead and over 50 injured.
The incidents, which occurred on Thursday and Friday, led to heightened tensions and heavy law enforcement deployment in both regions. Amid deteriorating situation, local administrations imposed Section 144 in the two districts.
