Pahari-Bangalee clash leaves 10 injured

The clashes erupted over the murder of Sabita Chakma issue

Source: Dhaka Tribune, February 26, 2014 | Link: http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2014/feb/26/pahari-bangalee-clash-leaves-10-injured

At least 10 people were injured in clashes yesterday between the indigenous villagers of Kamalchhari and the leaders and activists of the Parbattya Bangali Chhatra Parishad over the murder of Sabita Chakma.

Among the injured, six were from the PBCP and four from the Chakma indigenous community. They were admitted to the Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital and some other private clinics in the hill town, police confirmed. Khagrachhari district unit PBCP Secretary Mohammad Masum alleged that the villagers of Kamalchhari attacked their men first when they were chanting slogans from a procession while crossing the village protesting the blaming of Bangalees for Sabita’s murder.

“You [journalist] know that the Paharis brought a false accusation that a Bangalee raped and killed housewife Sabita Chakma. But the post mortem report proved that she had been hacked to death,” Masum said.

“The pahari people intentionally attacked us,” Masum alleged. But he did not explain why they had been chanting slogans against the indigenous people.

On the other hand, Kamalchhari village Headman Kirtimoy Chakma said the villagers blockaded the Khagrachhari-Bhuyachhari road yesterday morning protesting the murder of Sabita Chakma.  He alleged that the PBCP men attacked them first when they were returning home after staging a human chain at Shapla Chattar.

“The Bangalees have the right to protest; but they have no right to attack us,” Kirtimoy said.