On 2 June 2017, Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers attacked 4 indigenous Buddhist villages in Longadu, Rangamati district. Under the protection of Bangladesh army, Muslim settlers burnt to death Mrs. Guna Mala Chakma (75), wife of late Rabichan Chakma. Muslim settlers burnt down more than 250 indigenous Buddhist houses in 4 villages. Indigenous Chakma Buddhists fleeing Muslim settler attack.

Bengali settlers murder and burn down 250 indigenous Buddhist houses in Longadu

On 2 June 2017, Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers attacked 4 indigenous Buddhist villages in Longadu, Rangamati district. Under the protection of Bangladesh army, Muslim settlers burnt to death Mrs. Guna Mala Chakma (75), wife of late Rabichan Chakma. Muslim settlers burnt down more than 250 indigenous Buddhist houses of which more than 94 houses and shops in Tintila, at least 88 houses at Manikjorchara and more than 42 houses at Battya Para.

After the recovery of the dead body of a motor cycle rider Nurul Islam Nayon in Khagrachari, around 9:00 a.m. agitated Muslim settlers brought out a belligerent funeral procession led by Juba League (youth wing of ruling Awami League). Bangladesh army and police gave security protection to the Muslim settlers.

When the procession reached at Longadu upazila headquarters around 10:00 am, Muslim settlers began robbing and setting fire on the indigenous Buddhist houses and shops including the PCJSS office without any provocation. Muslim settlers managed to burn down 94 indigenous Buddhist houses including 10 shops. Afterward, Muslim settlers left for nearby Manikjorchara to attack the indigenous Buddhist village under Bangladesh army and police protection. Muslim settlers burnt down 88 indigenous Buddhist houses including 5 shops.

The local Bangladeshi civil administration promulgated Section 144 around 12:00 noon. But Muslim settlers were able to continue their violence and anarchy under Bangladesh army and police protection and set fire on the indigenous Buddhist houses at Battya Para and Boradam villages. Muslim settlers further burnt down 42 indigenous Buddhist houses including 4 shops at Battya Para.

In the morning on 2 June, the 2nd-in-Command Major Rafique of Longadu army zone assured indigenous people saying: “Staging procession is a democratic right of the settlers. They will exercise their right peacefully. No untoward incident will be allowed to happen. Hence, there is nothing to be worried.”. But Muslim settlers carried out organized attacks, killing, robbery and arson attack in presence of Longadu Zone Commander Lt. Col. Abdul Alim Choudhury, Major Rafique and Officer-In-Charge (OC) of Longadu police station Mominul Islam.

Longadu Zone Commander Lt. Col. Abdul Alim Chowdhury and Officer-In-Charge (OC) of Longadu police station Mominul Islam actively participated and delivered speech at the demonstration. Besides, Member of Rangamati Hill District Counci and General Secretary of Longadu Awami League (Awami League) Jane Alam, Chairman of Longadu Upazila Parishad and President of Longadu Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tofajjal Hossain, Vice Chairman of Longadu Upazila Parishad and Amir of Longadu Jamat-E-Islam Nasiruddin, leader of CHT Sama Odhikar Andolon Advocate Absar Ali, General Secretary of Juba League Shafiqul Islam and President of Bangali Chhatra Parishad Alamgir Hossain et al, also delivered speeches at the demonstration. Bangladesh army, police and political leaders of ruling party first participated in the demonstration and then made arson attack as did by political leaders of all national political parties, security and law enforcing personnel and officials of local administration during the communal and arson attack on Buddhist community.

Masterminds of the communal and arson attack are identified as:

1. Major Rafique, 2nd-in-Command, Longadu army zone, 2 EBR.
2. Subedar Major Mohammad Rafique, Longadu army zone, 2 EBR.
3. Mohammad Saiful Islam (55), Tintila Bazar; Awami League.
4. Khulilur Rahman Khan (40), Tintila Bazar; Awami League.
5. Mohammad Juwel (37), son of Abdul Hamid, Batya Para; Juba League.
6. Abdul Halim (40), Tintila Bazar, BNP.
7. Mohammad Ershad (35), son of Abdul Barek Sarker, Gadochara, Mainy; Awami League.
8. Mohammad Shah Alam Murad (42), Tintila; BNP.
9. Abdul Sattar (30), Kattali, Tintila; BNP.
10. Mohammad Abu (30), son of Mohammad Ali, Batya Para; Awami League.
11. Mohammad Mostafa, son of Mohammad Ali, Batya Para; Awami League.
12. Choton Das, Mainy; Awami League.
13. Shamim, son of Tajul Islam, Batya Para, Awami League.
14. Mohammad Nazrul Islam, son of Mahbub Member, Batya Para; Awami League.
15. Alamgir Hossain Mona, president of Motorcycle Driver Association, Ward No. 9, Bogachadar union, Longadu.
16. Mohammad Delowar Hosssain, General Secretary of Bangalee Chhatra Parishad, Jalya Para, Bogachadar union, Longadu.
17. Tofajjal Hossain, Chairman of Longadu Upazila Parishad and President of Longadu BNP.
18. Nasir Uddin, Vice Chairman of Longadu Upazila Parishad and Amir of Longadu Jamat-E-Islam.
19. Advocate Absar Ali, leader of Sama Odhikar Andolon.
20. Shafiqul Islam, General Secretary of Longadu Juba League.
21. Alamgir Hossain, President of Rangamati district branch of Bangalee Chhatra Parishad.
22. Lt. Col. Abdul Alim Chowdhury psc, Zone Commander, Longadu army zone, 2 EBR.
23. Jane Alam, Member of Rangamati Hill District Counci and General Secretary of Longadu Awami League (Awami League).

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