News
No. 88/2012, Monday, September
17, 2012
THE BENGALI settlers today beat two Jumma villagers
after a protest march in Khagrachari town they held over yesterday’s land clash
in Betchari.
The
incident happened at 12 noon near Yongdaw
Buddhist Temple
in Khagrachari town when a group of settlers were on their way back home to
Ghungurochari after taking part in the demonstration.
The
settlers set upon them, injuring them seriously. Later, the police rescued and
sent them to Khagrachari hospital.
The
victims have been identified as Ratnakor Chakma, 35, son of late Sureshwar
Chakma and Babullya Chakma, 26, son of Nil Ranjan Chakma from Betchari Christian
Para village.
The
Officer-in-charge of Khagrachari police station Mostafizur Rahman said two
Bengali settlers have been arrested in connection with the incident.
He
said, ‘Necessary measures have been taken to prevent the recurrence of such
violence.’
An
unconfirmed report said the settlers also kidnapped another Jumma named Sumon
Chakma from same area.
The
United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) has condemned the attack on the two
innocent villagers.
In
a statement UPDF leader Pradeep Chakma said, ‘Apparently a vested interest
group among the settlers is trying to find pretexts to create communal riots
between Jumma people and Bengali settlers and thereby gain political
dividends.’
‘Yesterday’s attempt at grabbing land in Betchari and today’s
protest march over a fake issue give credence to it,’ he added.
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