Clashes left 300 villagers homeless in Khagrachhari

More than 300 people from at least 25 villages in the hilly district have become homeless following factional clashes between two hill tracts-based political parties over establishing supremacy in the area. 

Since long, a dispute between United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), the Chittagong hill tracts-based political party, and its rival group Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS-MN Larma) has been continuing in the hill tracts. 

Among the effected people, around 45 families have passing miserable life at a temporary shelter at Mubachhari Khularam Paka High School in the upazila headquarters.

They are leading inhuman life and even the study of the effected children has been suspended since the clashes, according to the effected people. 

Mahalchhari upazila administrations in association with the local representatives on Friday distributed relief materials including mosquito nets and food among the homeless people.

Talking to UNB, victims said more than 300 people of 45 families from Mahalchhari, Guimara, Matiranga upazilas under Khagrachhari and Naniarchar upazila under Rangamati have become homeless following vandalism, arson attack and counter attack between two rival groups. Their houses were torched and vandalized recently.

Mahalchhari upazila parishad Chairman Bimal Kanti Chakma said they are unable to save the villagers from the atrocity of the rivals. 

“We demand the government should take immediate measures to save the villagers,” he added. 

While contacted, Mahalchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tamanna Nasrin Urmi said necessary steps were taken to ease the situation in the hill tracts.

Source: unb