7 hurt in clash over land in Khagrachari

chtnews.com
News No. 132/2008, August 08, 2008

At least 5 Jummas and 2 Bengalis were injured in a clash over a piece of land in Chinginala under Khagrachari Pourashova (Municipality) yesterday.

The clash erupted at about 8 in the morning when a group of 15 - 20 Bengali people led by Nazir Mian attacked the Jummas who were erecting bamboo fence around a piece of land measuring 27 decimal. The land was disputed by Nazir Mian, but after a hearing both the Deputy Commissioner and the District Council of Khagrachari adjudged the land to belong to Apru Marma and Sathoai Marma.

Eyewitnesses said the Bengalis were armed with dao (a kind of knife), axes and hokey sticks. They went on a rampage, attacking the Jummas working on the land. The attackers also smashed the fence.

The five Jummas injured in the attack have been identified as Aungyo Marma, 40, s/o Mongshey Marma, Mrachathoai Marma, 42, s/o Aphoaichey Marma, Ms Paichi Marma, 18, Ms Madhuri Marma, 20, and Suiching Marma.

Of the injured Jummas, Aungyo Marma got his left ear cut, Mrachathoai was hit in the left hand and Suiching Marma sustained injuries on the left side of his chest when he was hit with a dao.

The Jummas tried to defend themselves but they were no match for the Bengalis who were armed to the hilt. Two Bengalis were also injured. One of them has been identified as Zahir Ahmed.

After hearing the news of the attack, around 150 Jummas thronged there but by that time the attack had been done, and groups of army and police personnel had reached the spot.

The army made no arrest of the attackers but took the injured Jummas into their custody in the name of providing medical care. Many fear that they might be implicated in false cases and sent to jail.

Some of the attackers have been identified as Nazir Mian (65), Fatik (40), Munir (20), Selim (18), Mamun, Kashem and Bachaya.