Hill Voice, 12 April 2026, Bandarban: It has been reported that on Saturday (11 April) at around 11:20 a.m., there were allegations of looting and damage to a Jum field belonging to Khinoai Mro (31), S/O Rengcong Mro, a resident of Krilai Para village in Ward No. 6 of Kurukpata Union No. 4 under Alikadam Upazila of Bandarban district against the Forest Department.

It is learnt that Khinoai Mro had planted approximately 1,000 banana trees in a new Jum field this year. However, it has been alleged that yesterday, officials of the Forest Department responsible for the area, along with hired individuals, entered the Jum field and looted and damaged the banana plants.

The incident caused an estimated loss of around Tk 50,000.

Further reports indicate that the victim, Khinoai Mro, is a poor Jum cultivator, and Jum cultivation is the primary source of livelihood for his family. He depends on this cultivation throughout the year for survival. As a result of this loss, the family has been severely affected and now faces serious uncertainty regarding their livelihood.