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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Source : chtnews.com
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