THE Jumma people in Mahalchari put up road blocks for a few hours on
Khagrachari – Rangamati road in the morning today in protest at land
grab attempts by Bengali settlers in Lemuchari.
Hundreds of Jumma villagers gathered at Lemuchari, Bodanala, Noapara
and Chobbish Mile and stopped vehicles plying on the road.
The road block lasted from 6am to 1pm.
Another group of people went to Lemuchari and smashed the houses built
by settlers yesterday on 11 acres of land belonging to two Jumma
villagers.
The Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari, Anis-ul Haq Bhuiyan visited
the spot and assured the Jumma protesters that he would look into the
matter.
When the Jumma land owners showed him documents pertaining to the land
in question, the DC said he would take a decision after considering
all the legal aspects of the matter.
Mahalchari Upazila chairman Sona Ratan Chakma was present during DC’s visit.
UPDF protest
Ujwal Smriti Chakma, chief organiser of UPDF Khagrachari district
unit, in a statement condemned the land grab attempt by Bengali
settlers and urged the government to take actions against those
involved in it.
He also demanded that the government recognise the traditional land
rights of the Jumma people.
The Jana Samhati Samiti (Santu faction) also condemned the Lemuchari
land grab attempt.
Mahalchari Land Protection Committee statement
The Mahalchari Land Protection Committee in a statement condemned the
attempts of the settlers to grab Jumma’s lands in Lemuchari.
Expressing concern, Committee leaders Shanta Shil Chakma and Bimal
Chakma said “It is irony that yesterday’s land grab attempt took place
at a time when the government is talking about its commitment to
implement the CHT accord and settle land disputes in the CHT.”
They put forward a six-point demand which include putting a stop to
land grabbing in Lemuchari, restitution of lands grabbed during the
rule of emergency, dismantling of settler houses built on 100 acres of
land in Gamaridhala in 2006, providing guarantee that no incident of
land grab will occur in future, withdrawal of army personnel from
Sarnath Aronnyo Kuthir and putting an end to restrictions on religious
freedom.
PCP rally
The Hill Students’ Council (PCP) staged a demonstration today in
Khagrachari in protest against the land grab attempt in Lemuchari.
Hundreds of students took part in a rally held at Swanirbhor area of
the town. They also took out a procession which was intercepted by
police at Narikul Bagan near Khagrachari bazaar.
The PCP leaders warned that they would launch waves of protests if
land grabbing was not stopped immediately.
Apruchi Marma, Chandra Dev Chakma, Thuikyo Ching Marma, Bipul Chakma,
Rina Dewan and Juthika Chakma spoke at the rally.
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