The EU on Friday condemned deadly attacks on indigenous people in Bangladesh's insurgency-hit southeast, calling for an independent probe into allegations of military involvement."The
EU is aware of allegations that the incident involved army personnel
and labourers employed by the army," a spokesman for European Union
foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement."The
EU calls upon the government of Bangladesh to swiftly and thoroughly
follow up with an independent investigation of this incident and of the
allegations that the armed forces were involved," the statement
continued.At least two people were killed and 10 injured after
troops in Bangladesh's insurgency-hit southeastern hill areas opened
fire on tribals clashing with Bengali settlers, according to local
police.Hundreds of houses were also torched in violent clashes
last week between tribal people and Bengali settlers over a
decades-long land dispute.The military had been sent in and opened fire...
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Indigenous
peoples, activists and peace builders worldwide condemned the reported killing
of 5 Jumma and the burning of some 200 houses in Baghaihat of Sajek
Union by Bengali settlers and the Army last Feb 19-20. They also asked
to stop the alleged grabbing of Jumma land by "Bengali settlers" aided by the
Bangladesh army.As the online petition gains support, the
petitioners asked Prime Minister Sheik Hasina to stop violence and pull
out military forces in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and implement the
long delayed CHT Peace Accord of 1997.Indigenous Peoples rights
activist Wasim Wagha from the IPs of Indus and tribals of Suleiman
Mountains said, “the government of Bangladesh take notice and do
justice with the tribal peoples by acknowledging their right to peace,
livelihood and identity.”The Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and the Women againstMilitarization and State Violence also condemned the incident.Human
Rights Congress for Bangladesh...
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DHAKA, BANGLADESH- Civil society members yesterday gathered on the Central Shaheed Minar
premises in the capital raising their voice against the recent
aggression by Bangalee settlers towards the indigenous people of
Rangamati and Khagrachhari hill districts. Addressing a
gathering organised by Nagorik Samaj (citizens' forum), they warned
that the atrocity is a threat to democracy and the state.Demanding
punishment of the perpetrators, speakers also emphasised the need for
settling land dispute terming it the main cause behind the hill
district crises. They also demanded immediate implementation
of the CHT Accord, constitutional recognition to indigenous people,
cancellation of land leases in the hills, protection and compensation
for the affected families. A series of clashes between
indigenous people and Bangalee settlers started on February 19. The
six-day violence claimed three lives and injured 70 while more than 500
houses were set on fire, over 400 of which...
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NEW DELHI, INDIA - A massive demonstration led by
Ven. Karunalankar Mahathero, President, Peace Campaign Group and Mr.
Suhas Chakma, Director, Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Network was
held today in New Delhi to protest recent Bangladesh military
atrocities in Chitaggong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. Over 1000 Chakmas and non-Chakma human rights and
peace activists participated in the demonstration.On 19 February Bengali-speaking
settlers backed by Bangladeshi military perpetrated arson attacks on
indigenous villages in Baghaihat area, CHT. About 450 houses of Indigenous People were burnt into ashes, two indigenous people were
killed and over 100 were injured in these attacks. The ethnic clashes
and tension continued spreading in different areas of CHT till 24
February. According to latest reports received, 60 houses of Indigenous People were burnt down in Khagrachri district town alone and dozens of Indigenous People were injured in this series of arson...
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STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST PAHARIS London Demonstration for Peace in Chittagong Hill Tracts, BangladeshDate: Sunday, February 28, 2010Time: 3:00 pm- 4:00 pmLocation: Altab Ali ParkStreet Whitechapel High Street,...
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