Hill Voice, 26 September 2024, International Desk: Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh (CAAMB) and ALL India Refugee Front (AIRF) strongly condemn the organized atrocities unleashed on religious minorities in Bangladesh and also condemn the inhuman treatment meted out by the police to renowned academicians and human right activists like Sahariar Kabir and filing false cases against Rana Dasgupta and others in a press conference and through a press release.

The press conference was organised on Yesterday (25 September) at press club in Kolkata.

The press release was signed by Mohit Ray, Sujit Sikdar, Prakas Das, Chayan Roy, Ranjit Mandal, Rakhal Pal, Jagadish Haldar, K N Mandal, Sujata Majumdar, Adv Shankar Das, Dilip Majumder, Partha Banik, Sukumar Sikdar, Khokan Biswas and others.

The press release states, “Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh (CAAMB) and ALL India Refugee Front (AIRF) strongly condemn the organized atrocities unleashed on religious minorities in Bangladesh by undemocratic, fundamentalist forces since the fall of Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.

We also condemn the inhuman treatment meted out by the police of interim government to renowned academicians and human right activists like Sahariar Kabir and filing false cases against Rana Dasgupta and others. Shahriyar was arrested in the middle of night and booked under murder cases.”

The press release, on recent communal attacks on indigenous Jummas in CHT, states that “Assault on the minorities has taken a special turn with all-out attack by Muslim mob in the three hill districts of Parbattya Chattagram from 18th September onwards. Muslim settlers, with the backing of the Bangladesh army, orchestrated violent attacks against indigenous communities. There has been looting and burning of several hundred houses and shops. Buddhist monasteries have been attacked. Many families in Khagrachhari and Rangamati have fled, leaving behind burning houses and businesses.”

CAAMB and AIRF’s demands are as follows:

· CAAMB and AIRF demand the new administration ensures safety and security of minority population in Bangladesh. Instead of arresting democratic rights activists they should apprehend and punish the culprits involved in atrocities on minorities.

· CAAMB and AIRF demand immediate withdrawal of criminal cases against Shahriar Kabir, Rana Dasgupta and other human rights leaders.

· CAAMB and AIRF call for implementation of CHT Peace Treaty in letter and spirit and immediate halt of the process of demographic change.

· CAAMB and AIRF demand that Government of India should be proactive to stop atrocities on religious minorities in Bangladesh. GOI should take immediate useful diplomatic and economic measures to ensure Bangladesh government to stop these anti minority activities.

· CAAMB and AIRF demand that Government of India should open Refugee Shelters along the border and refugees from Bangladesh be provided temporary shelter there. It may be reminded that in 1971, Indian Premier Mrs Indira Gandhi provided temporary shelter to about 10 million refugees from East Pakistan who later went back.

· CAAMB and AIRF demand that United Nations should immediately order Bangladesh to stop all these atrocities and till then UN should impose specific sanctions on Bangladesh.