Bangladesh: Houses Of Christian Tripura Community Torched On Christmas Eve
BANDARBAN: In a devastating arson attack on Christmas Eve, 17 homes belonging to the Christian Tripura community were set ablaze at Sarai Union in Lama upazila, Bandarban in Bangladesh. The residents, away for prayers and Christmas celebrations in a nearby village, returned to find their homes reduced to ashes.
The attack targeted New Tongjhiri Tripura Para, a settlement rebuilt by the community after being displaced several years ago. The victims reported that 17 out of 19 houses were completely destroyed, leaving the families with nothing to recover.
The Tripura community has long faced displacement challenges in Tongjhiri. According to community leader Paisapru Tripura, they were forcibly evicted years ago, allegedly due to the land being leased to the wife of a senior police officer during the Awami League regime. The residents returned to rebuild their lives following the government’s change, only to face this latest setback.
We've lost everything," lamented Gungamani Tripura, one of the victims. "What should have been a day of celebration has turned into a nightmare. We demand justice and punishment for the attackers.
Local officials reacted promptly. Sarai Union Parishad Chairman Md Idris confirmed the incident, and Acting Lama Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ruppayan Deb visited the site, providing initial relief in the form of blankets and rice. Deb urged the affected families to file formal complaints and assured them of further assistance.
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