In the wake of violent clashes between locals and Bengalis, a high level
delegation of the interim government headed by Home Affairs Adviser
Lieutenant Gen (Retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury will visit Khagrachari
and Rangamati on Saturday (September 21).
It was stated in a press release sent from the Chief Adviser's office in Dhaka on Friday (September 20).
It
says that the delegation will also comprise CHT Affairs Adviser
Supradip Chakma, Local Government Adviser Hasan Arif and Special
Assistant to Chief Adviser on Defense and National Integration
Development Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Hafiz.
The press release says
that the government has said it is working sincerely to solve the
problems created in Khagrachari on Thursday and in Rangamati on Friday,
stressing that the government is determined to ensure peace, harmony and
harmony there.
It says that the government is "deeply saddened
and distressed" by the ongoing assaults, attacks and loss of life
following the lynching and subsequent death of a person on September
18, said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Friday.
The press
release further says that the law enforcement agencies have been
directed by the government to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the
safety of all the people living in the three hill districts.
The government has urged all not to take the law into their own hands and not to engage in destructive activities.
"Taking
the law into one's own hands and destroying any property is a
punishable and punishable offence," said the press release.
The
government said a fair investigation of all incidents related to
violence and prosecution of those responsible will be ensured.
"A
strong investigation committee will be constituted soon for this
purpose. The concerned authorities have been instructed to ensure proper
treatment of the injured," said the government.
The clash had originated over mass beating one Mohammad Mamun, 30, at Dighinala in Khagrachhari on charge of stealing a motorcycle on Wednesday (September 18). Severely injured Mamun succumbed while underwent treatment at a hospital.
On the following afternoon (Thursday), the shops and houses of locals were set on fire at Dighinala. However, business shops of some Bangalis were also set ablaze there. After a tense situation throughout the day, incidents of gunfight took place throughout the night, which left three people dead. Nine more people were also injured in the clashes. Of them, four critically injured people were sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment.
