Hill Voice, 30 June 2024, Bandarban: It has been alleged that about 100 acres of traditional Jum land and fruit plantations of 14 indigenous Mro families of Chaiyong Para village of Thanchi Sadar Union of Thanchi Upazila under Bandarban district are being encroached upon by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

It is reported that on June 28, 2025, Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam, Commander of Thanchi’s 38th Battalion BGB Balipara Camp, ordered 14 Mro families to meet at the BGB Bolipara check post with land documents.

According to the affected villagers, on June 1, Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam inspected the Jum land and fruit plantations of 14 families. During the inspection, the camp commander told the Jum farmers that the government’s instructions were to build a camp there.

Then on June 17, Commander Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam visited the place for the second time. That day, the camp commander called a Jum farmer and said, “There will be a tourist center, if it becomes a tourist center, you will benefit.” At that time, the camp commander asked the farmer who owned the lands in the area. The farmer named a few people.

On June 19, during the third inspection, Commander Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam called the Headman and Karbaries of Chaiyong Para village and ordered 14 families of the village to meet at the BGB Bolipara check post on June 28 with land documents.

It is reported that the villagers are deeply concerned about the matter. However, it is reported that they have not visited the BGB camp yet.

The affected families are: (1) Lekai Mro (40), son of Mangtam Mro; (2) Kaiwei Mro (40), son of late Pungneng Mro; (3) Chini Mro (39), son of Kangyeng Mro; (4) Punkeng Mro (42), son of Mangpung Mro; (5) Tingchang Mro (55), son of late Tole Mro; (6) Yengpung Mro (60), son of late Chaiyang Mro, he is a village head/Karbari; (7) Rengyung Mro (38), son of Rengprung Mro; (8) Paureng Mro (65), son of Tale Mro; (9) Rumklam Mro (27), son of Pungneng Mro; (10) Tlay Mro (30), son of Paureng Mro; (11) Changwai Mro (28), son of Langchang Mro; (12) Rengrui Mro (24), son of Mangsam Mro; (13) Danrai Mro (30), son of Irchang Mro; (14) Isuf Mro (65), son of Mensam Mro.

They are all residents of Chaiyong Para, Ward No.1 of Thanchi Sadar Union. It is known that the land for the said Jum and fruit plantations is located next to their village.