Chakmas in CHT being subjected to ethnic cleansing: World Chakma Organisation

On 3 March 2010, Secretary General of the World Chakma Organisation Venerable Bimal Bikhhu stated in a press conference in Kolkata that the Chakmas in CHT, Bangladesh are being subjected to "ethnic cleansing", reports PTI:


Chakmas in CHT being subjected to ethnic cleansing, PTI, 3 March 2010, http://www.ptinews.com/news/546462_Chakmas-in-CHT-being-subjected-to-ethnic-cleansing


Kolkata, Mar 3 (PTI) Chakmas community living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh are being subjected to "systematic ethnic cleansing" by a section of that country's military and Islamic fundamentalists who conduct arms training camps for terrorists there, a community leader alleged today.

"Islamic fundamentalists, along with a section of the Bangladesh military, are carrying out ethnic cleansing of the Chakma community in the CHT. Islamic militants are also running arms training camps there," Secretary General of the World Chakma Organisation Venerable Bimal Bikhhu told a press conference.

Bikhhu said a series of attacks in various parts of the CHT between February 19 to 24 left at least six indigenous Chakmas dead and 50 injured.

Over 400 tribal houses, along with a Buddhist temple and a church, were burnt down during the attack, while 2,000 people were displaced, he claimed.