Hill Voice, 7 October 2023, Rangamati: It is alleged that paddy land of an indigenous Jumma villager has been being attempted to occupy by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) camp authority in Bhushanchara union of Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District. The victim has been threatened as well.

The victim has been identified as Sonadhan Chakma, son of Buddhamani Chakma, of Thega Khubbang of Ward No.1 under No.4 Bhushanchara Union.

According to local sources, on October 5, 2023, Captain Sadeki Arfan Niloy, Commander in-charge of Thega Khubbang BOP camp under 12 BGB Chota Harina Zone of Bhushanchara union, called the Karbari (village head) Shyamal Kanti Chakma to the camp. When Karbari went to the camp, Captain Sadeki Arfan Niloy said, the paddy land owned by Sonadhan Chakma adjacent to the camp would not be allowed to cultivate Sonadhan anymore.

Afterward, being informed of the decision of BGB from the Karbari, Sonadhan Chakma went to meet the Camp Commander Captain Sadeqi Arfan Niloy of Thega Khubbong BOP Camp. At the camp, Captain Sadeqi Arfan Niloy told Sonadhan Chakma that he (Sonadhan) will not get that paddy land anymore, they (BGB) have to capture it. He added it is the decision of the Commanding Officer (CO) of 12 BGB Chota Harina Zone. The captain even threatened Sonadhan, if there is much reaction about the matter, there would be a dire consequence.

It is known that Sonadhan Chakma’s family has been tilling the land since the Pakistan era. The quantity of the land is 0.60 acres.