The Asian Centre for Human Rights said the mayhem erupted in the Tabalchhari area under Matiranga Upazila after plain settlers attacked five villages inhabited by Chakma and Tripura tribespeople.
At least five villages namely Sarveshawar Para, Boga Para, Manudas Para, Bhagawan Tilla and Bandar Singh Para under Tabalchhari police station have been burnt to ashes, said a press release of the Asian Centre for Human Rights.
One tribal was killed, four other tribals were seriously injured and about 500 tribal houses were destroyed in the attacks as per the latest report received, said the Asian Centre for Human Rights.
"The Bangladesh Border Guards instead of arresting the arsonists arrested many innocent indigenous tribal people including Mr Bakul Chakma, Mr Supayan Chakma and Mr Phani Bhusan Chakma, a member of the local Union Council and subjected them to severe torture in their custody," alleged Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR).
About 1,500 Chakmas and Tripuras are currently camping near the border fence at Silacheri in Tripura state on the India-Bangladesh border, trying to find refuge in India, the ACHR director alleged.
The Border Security Force who man the gates have so far prevented the fleeing refugees from entering into India, he said.
The ACHR urged the Indian Government to direct the Border Security Forces to provide shelter to the fleeing tribal refugees from Bangladesh until the situation improves for their return.
It appealed to the Bangladesh government to take immediate measures to ensure safety and security of the affected tribespeople.
Tension has been brewing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts ever since the Bangladesh cabinet on May 27 approved the draft of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Land Dispute Resolution Commission (amendment) Act 2013 and gave its final approval on Jun 3.
The Act makes the Commission more effective in settling land disputes in accordance with the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord of 1997.
The Bengali settlers fear the Act would hurt their interests, an apprehension described as 'unfounded' by the government.
Several organisations representing the settlers have organised long strikes in the three districts of the CHT to prevent the new amended ACT from going through the Parliament.
