Bengali settlers occupied 17.79 acres of land owned by a cooperative society in Rangamati municipality

Bengali settlers occupied 17.79 acres of land owned by a cooperative society in Rangamati municipality

In April 2011 a total of 17.79 acres of land in Rangamati municipality belong to Rangamati Ashrayan Bahumukhi Samabai Samity Ltd (a cooperative society run by indigenous people) were occupied by 42 families of Bengali settlers.

General Secretary of Rangamati Ashrayan Bahumukhi Samabai Samity Ltd (RABSSL) Mr. Sushil Bikash Chakma put objection against this forcible occupation of land by Bengali settlers to the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati hill district on 03-05-2011. In response to this objection, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Rangamati sadar upazila Md. Mahidur Rahman ordered to both Bengali settlers and representatives of RABSSL to be present in a hearing on 24-08-2011. However, the hearing was postponed due to time prayer of Bengali settlers. After that, no action has been taken from the district administration till to-date.

It is mentionable that Rangamati Ashrayan Bahumukhi Samabai Samity Ltd (RABSSL) applied for 22.60 acres of land for settlement and got recommendation from Headman of Rangapani mouza on 26-08-1998 accordingly. However, Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati hill district recommended 17.79 acres of land with following holding numbers for settlement-

Holding No.	Land (in acre)
604	0.30
607	4.19
609	0.86
611	1.64
810	2.60
811	0.75
648	7.45
Total	17.79

Accordingly Rangamati Hill District Council approved the application of RABSSL on 16-06-1999 and consequently Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong division also recommended to the National Revenue Board to approve this application. Approval of National Revenue Board is still under process.

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source: Kapaeeng Foundation.