Three Jummas wounded in settler attack in Panchari

Three Jummas wounded in settler attack in Panchari

Sunday, August 26, 2012

THREE Jumma people have been injured when a Bengali settler attacked them with a machete as they protested an attempt to grab their land in Panchari of Khagrachari district.

According to sources, Mashud Rana, 30, son of Sadeq Ali, a Bengali settler from Amarpur village in Ward No. 4 of Ultachari Union had been trying to capture five acres of land belonging to Kanti Bhushan Chakma of North Shantipur for a long time.

The land, registered in Mr Chakma’s name, is located in North Shantipur village.

Couple of months ago, an arbitration meeting was held at Ultachari Union Council to settle the dispute, but no conclusive decision was made.

Thereafter, Kanti Bhushan, 65, filed a suit in the Judges’ Court in Khagrachari.

But Mashud Rana entered the land with the police yesterday and began constructing a house there today.

Hearing this, Kanti Bhushan Chakma, his wife and son and another villager rushed there at around 3pm and made a strong protest, leading to an altercation between them.

At one stage, Mashud Rana attacked them with his dao (machete), injuring Kanti Bhushan Chakma, his wife Laxmi Sita Chakma, 60 and his son Triratan Chakma, 40.

Kanti Bhushan got cuts on his three fingers of the left hand while Laxmi Sita on her thumb. Triratan sustained cuts on his left shoulder and left hand.

All of them have been admitted to Panchari Upazila health complex.

The United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) and its front organizations condemned the attack and urged the local administration to arrest and prosecute Mashud Rana.

They also called on the government to stop land grabbing and rehabilitate the settlers outside of the CHT.

They staged a demonstration in Khagrachari in protest against the incident.

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Courtesy: chtnews.com