Fallout of Feb 23 Violence
Khagrachhari schools still see poor attendance
Bakul Rani Tripura and Aung Thowai Marma, SSC candidates from Khagrachhari Textile Vocational Institute, could not attend their examinations on February 24 as they along with family members had to flee to the jungle for safety of life after their houses were burnt down during violent clashes between indigenous people and Bangalees in Khagrachhari town.Photo: STAR
Schools in Khagrachhari town still see poor attendance as feelings of insecurity prevail following the February 23 violence between indigenous people and Bangalee settlers that left one person dead and 50 others injured in the district. This correspondent observed the situation during his recent visit to 10 educational institutions in the town. "Most indigenous students of my institution are not attending classes, as their guardians are too afraid to send them to schools after the violence," said Bitan Chandra Barua, headmaster of APBn Primary School. There are 270 students including 100 Bangalees at Pankhaiyapara High School in Khagrachhari town but no Bangalee student attended the school on Thursday as the institution is located in an area dominated by indigenous people. “Two of my brilliant students could not take part in the ongoing SSC examinations due to the violence," said Khagrachhari Textile Vocational Institute Superintendent Md Raihanul Mizan. The institute has 220 students including 160 from indigenous communities but only 42 students attended the school on Thursday. The Daily Star correspondent found similar situation at APBn High School, Khagrachhari Adarsha High School, Khagrachhari Collegiate High School, Khagrachhari Municipal Model High School, Kamolchhari High School and Vocational Technical School. Abul Kalam, a class-VII student of a school in Shalbagan area, said his parents did not allow him to go to school which is located in an area where indigenous people are majority. "Bangalee settlers burnt our Satbaiyapara residence during the clash. Our family lost everything including my books and I came to school without books and school dress," said Warma Marma, a student of class-VIII. Admitting the poor attendance of students, acting headmaster of Pankhaiyapara High School Pritima Chakma said it happens in fear of further violence. "We are working to establish peace in the area. If necessary we will deploy more police at all schools gates," Khagrachhari Superintendent of Police Abu Kalam Siddique said. The district administration will sit together with students, guardians, teachers and officials to remove fear and mistrust among Bangalee and indigenous students, said Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah.
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