Three killed in Bangladesh ethnic violence

Three killed in Bangladesh ethnic violence

2011-04-18 00:50:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

DHAKA, BANGLADESH (BNO NEWS) -- At least three people were killed and several others were injured on Sunday when ethnic minorities and Bengali settlers clashed over a disputed land in Bangladesh southeastern Khagrachhari district.

Police told the Daily Star that a group of 15 to 20 indigenous people attacked the settlers when they were ploughing the disputed land. After hearing the incident, a group of Bengali people rushed to the spot and attacked the indigenous villagers leaving three dead and 20 injured.

The Bengalis also set 10 houses of indigenous people on fire at Mahamunitilla village, while around 30 houses were also burned down in Ramgarh.

Meanwhile, Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Anisul Haque Bhuiyan termed the incident as 'not so significant'. He said that additional forces of police have been deployed at the scene to avoid further clashes.

An indigenous of the area said the incident took place as settlers wanted to grab their lands. Locals said the Bengalis people are the real owner of the land as they have been using the land for a long time. Many argue, however, that they captured land belonging to the ethnic minorities during the two decade-long insurgency from mid-1970s to late 1990s.

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