Hill Voice, 1 April 2022, Bandarban: It has been alleged that the houses of 5 innocent Jumma villagers in Paindu Union of Ruma Upazila under Bandarban Hill District have been searched extensively and their belongings have been ransacked by the Bangladesh Army.

It is learnt that the harassing incident took place at around 8:00 am on April 1, 2022 in Mulfi Para village of Paindu Union. At that time the army personnel searched the Jumma houses in the name of finding terrorists and deliberately ransacked belongings of the houses.

The owners of the houses are- 1. Monguye Marma (60), son of unknown, 2. Mobasing Marma (42), son of Sikhaiu Marma, 3. Uhlasing Marma (50), son of Kyawmong Marma, 4. Sasinu Marma (39), son of Kyawomong Marma, 5. Ar Kyaw Pru Marma (50), son of unknown.

According to local sources, on March 31, 2022, at around 11:00 am, an army patrol team of 30 personnel from Monam Army Camp of Ruma came and took up position in Mulpi Para of No.8 Ward of No.1 Paindu Union. Later, at around 8:00 pm, the army marched from Mulpi Para to Dabrokhyong Jhiri area with some Jumma youths towards the nearby Ujani Para. After that, the army also searched the old Jum houses of the Jumma villagers there.

At that time, army personnel threatened the villagers, saying, ‘Terrorists are stationed in these houses, the houses must be burnt down.’ Army personnel further said the villagers alleging, ‘You give rice to the terrorists, and you cooperate.’

On the next day, at around 8:00 am, the army again came to Mulfi Para and searched the above said five houses of the villagers.