Army 2-IC accused of ordering settlers to grab Jumma's land

Villagers of Gangaram Doar in Sajek alleged that the second-in-command of Baghaihat army zone has ordered the illegal settlers to grab 10 acres of land belonging to four Jummas.

Speaking to the chtnews.com Mr Hridoy Ranjan Chakma said on 14 October, the 2-IC went to Gongaram Doar village and announced that 40 settler families would be settled there.

"Turning to the Bengali settlers who accompanied him, the army commander said 'from now on you will live here", Mr Chakma alleged.

"Of the 10 acres, 2 acres belong to me, 1 acre to Ms Arati Chakma, 2 acres to Lalu Chakma and one and a half acres to Buddha Dhan Chakma." he further said. "The rest belong to other Jumma villagers."

Hridoy Ranjan Chakma came to Khagrachari town on 15 October to seek advice from the UPDF leaders about the impending forcible encroachment of their lands.

Mr Chakma was one of the four Jummas whose houses came under attack on 9 August for speaking to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission. The settlers beat him severely during the attack.

On 28 August, he was present at a press conference in Dhaka in which he and other victims demanded immediate withdrawal of the settlers from Sajek.

chtnews.com
News No. 159/2008, October 17, 2008