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Church burnt in wake of attacks on hilltribes

Updated: February 23, 2010 10:50 AM GMT
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A Chakma tribal mother and her son
A Chakma tribal mother and her son
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RANGAMATI, Bangladesh (UCAN) -- At least four places of worship, including a Protestant church, have been set ablaze following deadly violence between ethnic tribal groups and Bengali settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts that has left at least three dead and 1,500 homeless. The tribal people say that the army opened fire on them while Bengali settlers set their homes on fire in Gangaram Mukh and Baghaihat areas on Friday and Saturday [Feb. 19 and 20]. About 900 houses in mostly tribal villages in the area were burned to the ground. A church of Bangladesh Baptist Fellowship (BBF), two Buddhist temples and a mosque came under arson attacks and were allegedly looted of valuables on Sunday [Feb. 21]. The clashes were reportedly over land in the Baghaichhari sub-district of Rangamati district. Birbadan Chakma, Rangamati District Pastor (Coordinator) of BBF confirmed to UCA News on Feb. 22 that Christ Church, one of their three churches in the hills district was vandalized. Chakma also told UCA News how the violence began. “The local poor people came to take the rice provided as relief by the World Food program (WFP). Some army members caught two or three people and tortured them. “Later, the army caught some young girls who were in a vehicle. Then the local tribal people clashed with the army and Bengali people,” he said. Government sources say two tribal villagers were killed in the clashes but tribal people claim seven people are still missing. Humayun Kabir, the highest government official in Baghaichhari sub-district, was told to stand down yesterday, allegedly for his controversial role in the incident. Tension remains high in the hill district while both tribals and Bengali groups have taken to the streets both there and in Dhaka, blaming each other for the violence. Tribal groups blocked roads and waterways in protest in Rangamati to prevent government and law enforcers from entering the area. The Daily Star, a leading English newspaper, reported that Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), a forum of ethnic communities in the hill district, led a protest rally of about 7,000 people. They submitted a petition to local government officers yesterday demanding protection, an honest report of the incident, the arrest of arsonists, treatment of their injured and the withdrawal of the army. They are also seeking compensation and the removal of settlers from Baghaihat. A government delegation led by two state ministers is likely to visit violence-stricken areas today. Tribal people blame Bengali settlers for occupying their ancestral lands, building cluster villages illegally with the cooperation of the administration, while Bengali people allege harassment by the tribals. The Chittagong Hill Tracts bordering Myanmar are predominantly tribal areas with about 30 ethnic tribal groups. Most are Buddhists but many Tripura, Marma and Chakma people are Christians. BA08920.1590 February 23, 2010 48 EM-lines (458 words) Hilltribes learn about Christmas Free eye service restores poor people´s vision Caritas’ ‘green revolution’ promotes tribal people’s self-reliance Safe-water project helps people return home Leprosy mission ‘cures’ patients and villagers

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