Bengali settlers attack

Bengali settlers attack indigenous people in Jalia Para of Ramgarh

On 14 June 2009 a clash between indigenous villagers and the Muslim settlers occurred at Jalia Para under Ramgarh upazila in Khagrachari district. The Muslim settlers from Jalia Para cluster village have been trying to occupy the land of the indigenous villagers at Baroitali and Hafchari union under Ramgarh upazila. Baroitali is around 8 kms far from Jalia Para cluster village. Very recently on 7 June 2009 the Muslim settlers cleaned the scrubs and erected at least 15 houses. Again on 14 June early in the morning, a group of Muslim settlers numbering around 70 persons went to the area and started to build houses. But the indigenous villagers opposed them to construct houses. At a stage, clash between two groups started and at least 10 Muslim settlers were injured in the clash. They were admitted to Guimara hospital.

Soon after receiving this news, the Muslim settlers of Jalia Para and Guimara indiscriminately attacked innocent indigenous people at Jalia Para on Khagrachari-Chittagong road. Five indigenous Marma rickshaw drivers were beaten by the Muslim settlers at Jalia Para. Among them, two injured rickshaw drivers were identified as Thoihla Prue Marma (35), s/o Aungyajai Marma of Labrechai Headman Para of Guimara union and Apruesi Marma (35), s/o Remrachai Marma of Lubre Para of Guimara.

Dhanadas Tripura (21), s/o Sukumar Tripura of Mahalchari upazila was brutally beaten by a group of Muslim settlers with firewoods and iron rods when he reached there. However, he could narrowly escape. He was seriously wounded. Most of the indigenous villagers of nearby Jalia Para area took shelter into the remote villages fearing further attack.

In 1981-82 the Bangladesh government settled Muslim settlers in Jalia Para. Due to attack from defunct Shanti Bahini, the Muslim settlers were settled near Bangladesh army camps. However, since 2000 Muslim settlers started to occupy indigenous lands with the backing of the Bangladesh army. With this backdrop, on 1 March 2001 Ministry of CHT Affairs (MoCHTA) issued an office order prohibiting expansion of settlement and asking both indigenous and Muslim settlers to maintain status quo until and unless the disputes are resolved by Land Commission to be formed as per CHT Accord.

[On 19-20 February 2010, the Bengali settlers backed by Bangladesh army attacked the indigenous people at Baghaichari leaving at least 6 indigenous people dead. The aim of the attack was to drive out the indigenous Chakma Buddhists and grab their land. Distraught Chakma woman of Baghaihat.]

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http://www.angelfire.com/ab/jumma/news/20090614_ramgarh.html