Tension in Sajek, one person beaten by settlers

chtnews.com
News No. 19/2010, February 01, 2010

Fresh tension between Jummas and illegal Bengali settlers has been reported from Sajek as a Bengali businessman has been reportedly beaten up by a group of settlers.

Sources from Baghaihat said Lokman, a Bengali businessman from Korengatoli bazaar, was carrying Joticharya Chakma (32) on his motorbike on payment. (Joticharya Chakma is a resident of Simanachara village in Sajek and his father’s name is Barun Chakma).

They were bound for Baghaichari via Baghaihat to Korengatoli road. However they were stopped at Gangaram Doar by a group of settlers at around 12:30pm.

Sensing imminent danger, Joticharya Chakma, an active member of Sajek Land Protection Committee, ran away, leaving Lokman there.

The settlers beat up Lokman for carrying a Jumma on his motorbike.

When this news spread in the area, hundreds of Jumma villagers gathered at Gangaram Doar and staged demonstration, demanding punishment of those responsible for the attack on Lokman and Joticharya.

They suspended their agitation only when the local police personnel told them that a senior police officer would visit the area in the afternoon.

The Jummas have been boycotting Baghaihat bazaar since 18 January to put pressure on the government to meet their demands including stoppage of land grabbing and withdrawal of the army and settlers.

In reprisal, the settlers forced the Bengalis to suspend passenger jeep service to and from Baghaihat and Mazalong.

The Jummas responded to this measure by blocking Dighinala – Baghaihat road.