Hill Voice, 3 April 2026, Rangamati: It has been reported that the Bengali settlers have started again a conspiracy to seize the place on the land of the mouza headman in Chailyatali Union of Chailyatali Mouza of Longadu Upazila under Rangamati district, although the administration has imposed a ban any activities on the land due to complications arising from the encroachment of land by Bengali settlers.

It is reported that from March 31 to yesterday (April 2), Bengali settlers in groups have been clearing the jungle for the purpose of encroachment in the disputed area, violating the ban.

According to local sources, the disputed land in the eastern side of the Chailyatali BGB camp and the adjacent Jal Bajyama Chara area were once occupied by the Jummas for ages. Later, in 1979-80, when outsider Bengali settlers from the plains district were settled in Longadu with the support of the government, those settlers encroached on the land of the Jummas and tried to encroach on it.

This led to conflict and tension between the local Jummas and Bengali settlers around 2005. At that time, when the headman of the concerned mouza, Bindu Moy Chakma, sought the intervention of the upazila administration, the then Upazila Nirbahi Officer formed a three-member investigation committee in this regard, with Kanungo and Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) as the convener, and ordered an on-site investigation report.
In view of this, the members of the investigation committee visited the spot and submitted an investigation report to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Longadu. Based on this investigation report, the Upazila administration, on the grounds that sufficient time was needed to resolve the dispute and to maintain communal harmony during this time, hoisted a red flag at the disputed area and issued an order to both parties not to carry out any activities there until further orders.

But even though the Jummas obey the ban of the upazila administration, the Bengali settlers often violate it. Every year, they continue to conspire to occupy the said place in some way or the other.

For the past three days (March 31-April 2), a group of 12/14 Bengali settlers led by Md. Mostafa (54), son of Md. Chaiyat Ahmed and Md. Abdul Rahim (42), son of Md. Joynal Abedin, both of whom reside in Purba Chailyatali, Ward No. 8, Bhasanyadam Union, Longadu, have been unilaterally cutting down jungle in the area. This has created deep concern among the Jumma villagers.

It is learnt that the local Jummas have informed the local elders and BGB camp commander about the matter. However, it is learnt that the settlers have not stopped their work yet.

A source said that there have been secret discussions and plans among the Bengali settlers to the effect that they will divide the land, including the said land, among all the vacant lands of the surrounding Jummas and immediately build houses there and settle there. It is feared that if the administration does not take immediate and neutral steps on the matter, tension and conflict may arise again.