Tripura: Chakma organisations hold protest in front of Bangladesh High Commission

Members of six Chakma organisations of Tripura held a protest in front of Bangladesh High Commission at Agartala to condemn the attack and torching of the Katakhali Forest Buddhist Monastery under Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar district on 24 October 2021 by miscreants.

During the attack, at least eight indigenous persons, including women, belonging to the Chakma community were injured. The organisation included Chakma Buddhist Welfare Society, Young Chakma Association, Tripura Chakma Students Association, Chakma National Council of India and Tripura Rejjyo Chakma Gabuchya Joda

They submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through the High Commission.


The memorandum stated, "That the Katakhali Forest Buddhist Monastery took place following a series of incidents of vandalism and arson of Hindu temples, Durga Puja pandals, and attacks on Hindu minorities from 13 October 2021 shows that the government of Bangladesh has not taken any measure to ensure protection of the religious minorities in the country. This is because the government of Bangladesh as on date has failed to punish those who destroyed 19 Buddhist temples and about 100 houses at Ramu, Cox’s Bazar and Patiya of Chittagong in 2012."

The Chakma organizations reminded that "the Government of Bangladesh has the responsibility of protecting the life, property and right of the religious minorities to practice their religion."

Among others, the Chakma organizations demanded from Prime Minister Hasina to bring the perpetrators of Katakhali Forest Buddhist Monastery attack to justice and ensure prosecution of those who destroyed 19 Buddhist temples and about 100 houses at Ramu, Cox’s Bazar and Patiya of Chittagong in 2012 through fast track courts.