Govt failed to protect hill people: BNP

A BNP delegation was barred by the local administration from visiting the Rangamati's Longadu, alleged the party's Vice Chairperson Abdullah Al-Noman yesterday.

"Our chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia sent us to visit Longadu and to talk to the arson attack victims. She sent Tk 5 lakh for the victims. But the local administration prevented us from going there citing security reasons," Noman said at a press conference at the BNP office in Rangamati yesterday morning.

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He also said that the government failed to protect the indigenous people in Longadu and demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits through a judicial probe.

The five-member delegation comprised of BNP central committee leaders.

BNP leaders Sukomol Barua, Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, Nazim Uddin, Dipen Dewan, Manish Dewan, Shah Alam, Dipon Talukder, Saiful Islam Ponir among others spoke at the press conference.

Meanwhile, Hill Women's Federation, Pahari Chhatra Parishad and Gonotantrik Jubo Forum in Chittagong city demanded a judicial probe into the arson attack at three villages in Longadu, reports our staff correspondent in Chittagong.

They also slammed the role of law enforcers during the attack and marched in a procession from Chittagong Shaheed Minar to Chittagong Press Club and held a rally at Cheragi intersection.

Leaders of the organisations Shuvo Chakma, Sunayan Chakma, and Monti Chakma among others spoke at the rally.

On June 2, Bangalee settlers unleashed a series of arson attacks on the indigenous community in three villages -- Tintila, Manikjorchora and Baittapara -- of Longadu over the death of Nayan, a local Jubo League leader.

Over 200 homes and shops were vandalised and burned after they were looted. Later, almost all the indigenous families fled to nearby jungles and villages.