Bangladesh Tribals Hide in Forest

Bangladesh: April 02, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

This is the third time Hridoy Chakma has found himself homeless. As a tribal man in Bangladesh, he is among a group of people who face repeated violence from another ethnic group—one that appears to have gained the support of the government. This group is attempting to come in and settle on the tribal land, stealing it after generations.

When the two ethnic groups held demonstrations for their causes in February, violence broke out. It culminated in hundreds of burnings, including the homes of several Christians. A GFA-supported missionary's home was also burned. Reports say tribal people, like Hridoy, are being targeted because many of them have become Christians.

From a nearby hilltop, blackened pillars are the only visible structures left standing for miles around what used to be Hridoy's village. It disappeared in flames during the most recent spate of violence. Now Hridoy lives in the forest with more than 2,000 other tribals, most of whom lost their homes in the flames. They are waiting for official word that the violence has stopped before they go home. When they return, they will have to rebuild their homes—and their lives—from scratch.

The situation has quieted down some, but the trauma remains. Gospel for Asia workers in the area are doing what they can to help those hiding in the forest. They say there is still much fear and ask for prayer for those affected by the ongoing civil unrest.

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