Communal riot breaks out in Ramgarh

chtnews.com
News No. 52/2009, June 14, 2009

A communal riot has been broken out in Ramgarh over a settler attempt to grab 300 acres of land belonging to Jumma people.

Jumma villagers in Ramgarh resisted a settler attempt to grab their land this morning, sources from the area say.

According to eyewitness, the incident occurred at around 9am when a group of illegal settlers from Jaliapara, Sindukchari and Guimara went to Boroitali under Hapchari Union (No. 3) and began cutting jungle for the construction of houses.

A clash ensued when hundreds of Jumma villagers resisted the settlers.

Tension had been brewing in the area since June 7 when the settlers backed by army began cutting jungle to the land.

The army, who is believed to have instigated the settlers to grab the land, provides protection to the settlers as they worked.

After facing initial resistance from the Jummas, the settlers increased their reinforcements.

Eyewitness said seven jeeps load of settlers have been mobilized in the area under army protection.

Another report said the settlers have seized Hapchari Union Parishad Chairman Krathoai Marma.

The Jummas are fearing for the worst, and many Jumma villagers, mostly women and children, have already fled their homes.

UPDF Khagrachari district unit has urged all human rights organisations to act immediately to prevent the situation from worsening further.