HR violations against Khasi community

On 07/02/2006, (source: Prothom Alo 13/02/2006) terrorists attacked a Khasi village in Modonmohanpur tea estate in Madhabpur Union under Kamalgonj Upazilla. The attack followed a land dispute court case in which the tea estate authorities were prohibited from removing Khasi people from the disputed land. However, the police have failed to take appropriate action against the attackers. Similarly on 13/02/2006, Vitorgul Punjee, Jaintapur, Sylhet was attacked by criminals who destroyed large amounts of batel nut, batel leaf, jackfruit and lemon trees. The punjee which spans 50 acres, was given to Khasi community for cultivating batel nut etc by the government in 1992. The Khasi community informed local police about those responsible for the incident, however the police are yet to take any action.

The most recent incident (source: Prothom Alo 05/03/2006) occurred when a BNP leader attacked Kalenjee Khasi punjee, under Adampur union, Kamalganj after grabbing 50 acres of land from Khasi community.

The area is home to 850 Khasi people who have been living on the 250-acre land since 1962.

The Ethnic Community Development Organisation (ECDO), Sylhet urged the government to preserve the justice of Bangladesh by recognising the rights of indigenous peoples and giving them appropriate protection against human rights violation by local terrorists. The fundamental rule of law must be applied to ensure that the indigenous communities are free from discrimination and that Bangladesh can stand up as a nation, which rests on the principles of its Constitution.