Hill Voice, 01 August 2019, Thursday, Bandarban: On 1 August 2019 20 Mro indigenous families have been forcefully evicted from their land by three private companies named Meridian Company, Lama Rubber Limited and Quantum Foundation from NotunPara village under Lama upazila in Bandarban District. Sources said that, On 30-31 August 2019 some workers of the company started to clean the jungle in the land of the Mro families and demanded the ownership of the land as well. However, when the indigenous peoples confront at this, the company threated them to arrest with false cases. Though they were compelled to stop and return back. On the same day, the indigenous peoples submitted a memorandum in order to cancel the lease, stop the land grabbing and to bring the ownership of they ease land into the government custody.
It is to be mentioned that, the indigenous peoples have been cultivating on those lands from many years according to the customary laws of Chittagong Hill Tracts. When those land are the only source of living for the 20 Mro indigenous families.
It is also learnt that, Meridian Company have been trying to evict and grab the land of the Mro indigenous peoples from many years. The company peoples also threatened the indigenous peoples to burn their houses before. The indigenous peoples alleged that, the administrations are also involved with the companies and land grabbing. As a result, after submitting complaint also no action has been taken so far.
Notably, Meridian Company, Lama Rubber Limited and Quantum Foundation have occupied more than 3000 acres, 1600 acres and 3000 acres land of indigenous peoples respectively in the name of lease. Which is why, the livelihood and existence of indigenous peoples is in the verge of eviction.
