In protest against an attack on students belonging to ethnic minority communities in Dhaka during a demonstration against the removal of pictures containing the term 'Adivasi' from the 9th- and 10th-grade textbooks, a road blockade and protest march have been held in Rangamati demanding the arrest and proper trial of those involved.
The march passed through the main roads of the city and culminated in a rally, blocking the Rangamati-Chittagong road. During this time, all traffic was halted on the Rangamati-Chittagong road.
Speakers at the rally included Ujai Marma, a student of Rangamati Government College, Sabuj Tanchangya, a member of the Tanchangya Students Welfare Forum, Shanti Devi Tanchangya, president of the Hill Women's Federation, Rumen Chakma, general secretary of the Hill Student Council's central committee, and Sumitra Chakma, general secretary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Youth Association. The rally was moderated by Casingnu Marma.
Sabuj Tanchangya, a member of the Tanchangya Students Welfare Forum, said: "The attack took place while the students were heading to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) building to protest the removal of the term Adivasi from textbooks."
He added: "A group called Students for Sovereignty launched an unexpected attack with cricket stumps, machetes, and bamboo sticks. More than 17 students were injured in the attack. The interim government cannot escape responsibility for this incident."
Rumen Chakma, general secretary of the Hill Student Council, claimed: "Similar to the previous government, the current government continues to oppress the hill people. If those responsible for the attack are not arrested and properly tried, a tougher movement will be formed."
Sumitra Chakma, general secretary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Youth Association, said: "The attack on the students was primarily due to the government's contradictory state policy."
FP/MI
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