BGB's attempt to set up camp occupying land belonging to Mro in Thanchi

BGB’s attempt to set up camp occupying land belonging to Mro in Thanchi

Hill Voice, 6 July 2025, Bandarban: It has been alleged that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are forcibly occupying the land of Mro villagers of Menroa Mro Para of Thanchi upazila under Bandarban district and attempting to set up a new BGB camp.

It is learnt that the BGB have recently ordered the concerned villagers to hand over 15 acres of land along with land documents for the purpose of setting up a camp.

It is learnt that the process of setting up this camp by occupying the land of Mro villagers is underway under the command of Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam, Commander of Thanchi Bolipara Battalion (38 BGB) Camp.

It is to be noted that, under the command of this commander, Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam, about 100 acres of traditional Jum land and fruit plantations of 14 indigenous Mro families of Chaiyong Para village of Thanchi Sadar Union are allegedly being encroached upon by the BGB for the purpose of buildng a tourist center, which was reported in the Hill Voice on June 30.

It is known that although the process of setting up a camp at that place started in 2018-19, it was actually closed until now. But recently, the process of setting up the camp was started again under the command of Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam. BGB personnel have already visited the place 8 times.

On 1 July 2025, two sons of Karbari (village head) of Menroa Mro Para village, Menwai Mro and Langrao Mro, were summoned to the battalion headquarters and intimidated in various ways by the BGB and ordered to submit the documents of 15 acres of land to the BGB Thanchi Sadar Zone as soon as possible. However, it was informed that the money for the said land would be given to the owners of the land.

A total of 25 Mro families are living in Menroa Mro Para village. The villagers said that although the BGB are talking about 15 acres of land, in reality, the BGB are in the process of occupying more than 30 acres of land.

According to village sources, at least 4 Mro families will be directly affected if the camp is set up. The families are: 1. Tanoya Mro, who has a mango plantation, shop and homestead; 2. Manya Mro, who has a mango plantation; 3. Menwai Mro, who has a mango plantation and 4. Pasing Mro, who has a mango and a cashew plantation.