Hill Voice, 15 June 2020, Rangamati: It has been alleged that a group of Muslim settlers are trying to occupy 19 acres of land owned by 6 Jumma villagers in Atarkachhara mouza of Langadu upazila of Rangamati district.
According to local sources, on 12 June 2020, a group of Bengali settlers numbering 30/32 persons started clearing the jungle by cutting down plantation of coconut, mango, jackfruit and other fruit trees on the reconrded land of the indigenous Jumma people of Atarakchhara mouza of Longadu.
At this time, when the Jumma owners of the land prevented the settlers from clearing the fruit trees and jungles on their land, the Muslim settlers threatened the Jumma people by uttering “dao” (sharp weapon) and abused them in various ways. They also threatened Jummas by saying that “This land is not yours, it is ours, we will clear our land, what is your problem with that?”
The matter was immediately reported to the local administration through the camp commander of the local Karolyachhari army camp, the headman of the concerned mouza and the UP chairman, but no action was taken by the administration. In addition, the settlers continued to occupy the land illegally for 3/4 days.
As a result, on 14 June 2020, the Jumma landowners came together to protect their land and they opposed the settlers from clearing jungle. At this time the situation was deteriorating due to the confrontation between the Jummas and settlers.
On 15 June 2020 Monday at 10:00 am, in order to avoid communal riots in this situation, the Longadu Upazila administration sent Longadu Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Kethwaiprue Marma and Atarkachhara Union Chairman Mangal Kanti Chakma along with the police force to the spot to investigate the dispute.
After hearing the grievances of both the parties, they ordered both parties to settle dispute by mutual compromise by tomorrow 17 June 2020 at 11:00 am. They instructed both sides not to take any work in the conflicting lands, ordering that otherwise legally necessary action would be taken.
Jumma owners of land are-
1) Maharaj Chakma, son of Kadamba Chakma, Holding No. R-16, size of land- 5.00 acres.
2) Taranga Moni Chakma, son of Kadamba Chakma, Holding No. R-142, size of land- 3.00 acres.
3) Jogendra Chakma, son of Kadamba Chakma, Holding No. R-68/90, size of land- 3.00 acres.
4) Birendra Chakma, son of Chandra Moni Chakma, Holding No. R-139, size of land- 2.00 acres.
5) Ukil Chandra Chakma, son of Kalahiya Chakma, Holding No. R-132, size of land- 3.00 acres.
6) Singha Raj Chakma, son of Prafulla Ranjan Chakma, Holding No. R-87/109, size of land- 3.00 acres.
