Indigenous people picking up pieces after Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers attacked them on 16 December 2014. When whole country was celebrating the victory day of the country on 16 Dec 2014, Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers attacked indigenous people in Bagachari area of Naniarchar to evict them from their traditional land. 50 indigenous houses, 7 shops and 1 Buddhist temple were destroyed.

Bengali settlers attack indigenous people, torch 50 houses and a Buddhist temple in Naniarchar

On 16 December 2014, when whole country was celebrating the victory day of the country, Muslim settlers attacked indigenous people, torched houses, Buddhist temple and shops in Bagachari area of Naniarchar. Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers attacked indigenous people to evict them from their traditional land.

On that day between 6:00 am-7:00 am, a mob of Muslim settlers of Islampur and Bagachhari villages under Burighat union set fire on neighboring 3 indigenous villages. As a result 37 houses of Chhuridaspara, 6 houses of Nabin Karbari Para and 7 houses of Baghachari were completely burnt down. Same settlers also burnt down 7 shops at Ananda Bazar areas of Chouddomel.

Muslim settlers vandalized Karuna Kutir Buddhist temple of Bagachhari. Muslim settlers broke down images of Lord Buddha and robbed 5 brass made images. Muslim settlers assaulted Buddhist monk Ubasa Thero during the attack.

Earlier Muslim settlers including Abchar Master Azad and Abul Kalam grabbed around 4.75 acres of land of Nishi Kumar Chakma of Bagachari village and developed pineapple fields on that land. Muslim settlers alleged that at the night before the attack a group of indigenous people cut down those pineapples plants.

In the morning when Muslim settlers learnt about the incident, they got angry and spread communal sentiment. They started to attack and set fire on indigenous houses. At that time, the indigenous villagers tried to resist the Muslim settlers.

Shortly, a group of Bangladesh Army led by Major Rakib of Naniarchar Zone under 56 Bengal went to visit the spot. Indigenous villagers alleged that Muslim settlers set fire on indigenous villages in presence of the of the Bangladesh Army.

Tension is still prevailing in the region. Several indigenous organizations have been organizing protest demonstrations in different parts of the country against this incident.

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