For the first time, a meeting was held in Patuakhali to commemorate the 240th anniversary of the arrival of the Rakhine community, a small indigenous ethnic group. The meeting was held in Amkholapara, Kuakata on Sunday afternoon. Rakhines from Kuakata Municipality, Mahipur Thana, Rangabali Upazila and Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district participated in the meeting organized under the banner of Mrachettana Social Development Foundation and Rakhine Community of Wajuan.
The indigenous Rakhine people took the initiative to celebrate this anniversary for the first time. The organizers said that from now on, this event will be celebrated every year.
The meeting, chaired by the President of Patuakhali District Buddhist Monastery Association and President of the Celebration Committee, Mong Khehan, was attended by, among others, Rakhine Buddhist Welfare Association President Manglachin, Rakhine Social Welfare Association General Secretary Mangten, and Adivasi Forum General Secretary Mangmy, among others. It is reported that 240 years ago, due to ethnic conflict, the indigenous Rakhine people were expelled from the Arakan State and came to the sea coast of Patuakhali and Barguna districts and took safe shelter. They were expelled by the then Burmese king on December 31, 1784. In early 1785, 150 families crossed the turbulent sea in 50 boats and started living in Patuakhali and Barguna districts.
Indigenous Rakhine leaders said that due to the demonic persecution of the Burmese king from Arakan, they left their beloved homeland and took refuge in the southernmost town of Patuakhali in Bangladesh and the forested lands of Taltoli, Kalapara and Rangabali upazilas of Barguna district. From there, they stayed here permanently. At one time, there were 50 thousand Rakhine people, but with the evolution of time, that number has now come down to 5 thousand. The Rakhines are now in a crisis of existence. Rakhine culture, history and tradition are on the verge of extinction. In such a situation, they have taken the initiative to celebrate the anniversary to make their new generation remember their original traditions, culture and history.