The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Movement for Rights of Indigenous People yesterday demanded of the government for exemplary punishment to the attackers on the Orao indigenous people recently at Patnitola Upazila in Naogoan. The Movement, at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, also demanded compensation for the victims of the attack.

Secretary of the rights group Prof Mesbah Kamal presided over the conference, while its president Prof HKS Arefin, Adv ZI Khan Panna, chairman, Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh Bar Council, Karina Hasda, Rakhi Mrong, Subol Larka, Jannatun Ferdous, Patnitola attack victims Suryamoni, Sujit, Srigulu and Sudeer, among others, were present. Suryamoni said local leader of BNP Idris Ali in association with 150 to 200 armed terrorists swooped on the indigenous people of Kazipara village at Dibar union in Patnitola upazila early November 5 when most of the indigenous males went to work and set fire to 17 houses and beat up 15 people mercilessly.

Sujit, another victim, claimed the gang also looted cash, livestock and other valuables.

Rakhi Mrong told reporters that five injured people were rushed to Sapahar Health Complex on the day, where three critically injured are still under treatment.

Subol Larka, local leader of indigenous rights group, alleged that local police did not come forward to help them.

Subol Larka also filed a case with the local police against 24, including Idris Ali, his brother Safiuddin. Police arrested four persons after filing of the case.

However, he alleged that the police did not arrest the gang leaders Idris and his brother Safiuddin.

Karina Hasda said Idris Ali claimed that he and his brother Safiuddin took lease of 1 acre and 33 decimals of indigenous peoples' land in 1991. "But his claim was absurd, as 50 families have been living at Kazipara village for generation," Karina added.

Prof Mesbah Kamal urged the government to form a separate land commission for the indigenous people of the plain land and activate the land commission for Chittagong Hill Tracts.