Speakers at a programme on Wednesday demanded rehabilitation of the victims of the last year's June 6 arson attack by Bangalee settlers at Langadu upazila of Rangamati.
They said though the government promised them of rehabilitation a year ago, no step is yet to be taken.
The programme was arranged by Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF), The Institute for Environment and Development (IED), Jono Udyog and Kapeng Foundation at Biswa Sahitya Kendra (BSK) marking the one year anniversary of the attack, reports UNB.
The speakers and victims of the incident also urged for exemplary punishment to ensure justice and asked the government to provide the victims with ration for another three years.
Speaking as the chief guest columnist Syed Abul Maksud said, minority people of the country are now living an insecure life.
"If the attackers are not identified and brought under law, then such crime will keep occurring in future which will cause more damage to country", he said demanding for justice for the victims and their quicker rehabilitation.
BIPF General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong said, the state is showing its generosity for the Rohingyas and earning praises worldwide, but it is not ensuring a secured life for its own citizens, the minorities.
"The population of indigenous people in the country has come down to 9 percent from 31 percent many of these people are migrating looking for a security", he added.
Numan Ahmed Khan, Executive Director of IED said the administration should feel ashamed of the culture of unjustness, which has been created in the country by confining development for a specific group of people.
The citizens' group leader, Pankaj Bhattacharya claimed that this unjustness towards indigenous people can only come down by proper implementation of the CHT Peace Accord which has been signed 20 years ago.
While describing the arson attack which took place one year ago, Executive Director of Kapeng Foundation Pallab Chakma said following the murder of Nurul Islam Nayan, a biker who used to carry passengers on his bike in exchange for money, Bangalee settlers set fire to over 200 houses in the three villages- Batyapara, Manikjorchhara and Tintila.
