Daily Star, Fri. September 26, 2003
http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/09/26/d30926011010.htm
Staff Correspondent
Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday protested the remark
of CHT Affairs Secretary Syed Mostaque that there was no need for a judicial
probe into the recent Mahalchhari violence.
In a press statement, the PCJSS said judicial inquiry into the incident was
a political demand and the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts did not expect
such a 'bizarre' statement from a top government official.
The organisation said his remarks stemmed from an 'extremely communal, irresponsible
and biased' mindset.
The PCJSS questioned the logic of dismissing the involvement of any government
agency in the Mahalchhari incidents without any inquiry.
Referring to the statements of the victims, the organisation alleged that the
army, civil and police administration played a 'deplorable role' during the
attacks on the houses of the hills people.
The local administration and police stood by and army men were present when Banlagee settlers attacked the villages of indigenous people, the PCJSS alleged.
Press reports say Bangalee settlers attacked nine villages in Mahalchhari upazila
in Khagrachhari district on August 26, looting and burning 400 houses and leaving
2,000 people homeless.