Friday, August 14, 2009
Boroitali villagers stage demo against land grabbing
chtnews.com
News No. 59/2009, June 17, 2009
Jumma villagers have staged demonstrations in Khagrachari in protest at attempts by illegal settlers to grab land in Boroitali of Ramgarh Upazila.
They also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding that the government immediately stop settlers from occupying 300 acres of land belonging to the Jumma people.
Hundreds of people and villagers took part in the demonstration.
Before submitting the memo, the demonstrators took out a procession at 11:30am which paraded the city roads.
Thereafter, they held a brief rally in the town which was addressed by Niong Karbari, the Head of the village, and Mong Chai Aungyo Marma, another villager.
Mr. Karbari said “since 7 June, the settlers have been attempting to grab 300 acres of land in our village which we have been using for generations. On 14 June, the settlers began constructing houses there, and when we tried to prevent them, they attacked us.”
He urged the government to take immediate steps to stop land grabbing and ensure safety and security of his village people.
After the rally, Mong Chai Aungyo Marma submitted a memorandum to the DC on behalf of the villagers.
Democratic Youth Forum leader Remin Chakma and Hill Students’ Council leaders Batayon Chakma and Niko Chakma helped Mr. Marma submitting the memo.