Headman Chongpat Mro accused of selling land to outsiders

Land grabbing in Lama and Alikadam (Part-5)

Hill Voice, 6 April 2025, Special Correspondent: It has been alleged that outsiders have occupied the land of the Buddhist monastery in the Maraingtong Jadi area of Sangu Mouza, bordering Alikadam and Lama Upazilas of Bandarban, and constructed cottages. It is learnt that the said land has been illegally leased to the outside resort owners by the headman Chongpat Mro of Sangu Mouza in Lama.

It has been alleged that the headman, through U Thowihla Marma, son of Bathowaiching Marma, Awami League president of Lama Upazila and Gajalia UP chairman, leased out the land on the top of Maraingtong Jedi hill in exchange for a price of Tk 50 lakhs to the owner of Rongrang Eco Resort and outsider Bengalis.

According to local sources, there have been allegations that the headman of Sangu Mouza of Lama Upazila, Chongpat Mro, has prevented the Mro community living on Maraingtong hill from cultivating Jum (traditional farming). It is said that the people of Langrui Karbari Para, Mangkrai Karbari Para, Notun Mro Para, and Roaja Karbari Para in these areas have been living and earning a living as residents of this Mouza for a long time.

Sources further reported that U Thowaihla Marma, son of Gajalia UP chairman of ousted Awami League, Sangu Mouza headman Chongpat Mro and a Bengali named Oxy Mamun are accused of preventing the local Mro community from cultivating Jum. They claimed to have bought this land on the basis of a 100-year contract from the headman in exchange for 50 lakh taka.

People of Roaja Para told this reporter on condition of anonymity that the headman of Sangu Mouza of Lama Upazila illegally sold the government teak garden at various times. They further said that “the Chongpat Mro headman has not provided drinking water to us even after taking 2 lakh 80 thousand takas in cash.”

The villagers also said, “Although we were very peaceful during the tenure of the headman’s father, but we are currently facing a crisis due to his tyranny during his son’s period. The headman has already taken away our seasoned banana and mango plantations and sold them to outsiders.”

According to the information source, for the past 1 to 2 months, Sangu Mouza Headman Chongpat Mro has illegally built cottages and resorts on the top of the Mairangtong Jadi hill with the help of Bengalis by occupying the land of the Buddhist monastery. He has already leased out 10 acres of the hill (land) to the owner of Inani Resort in Cox’s Bazar in exchange for 20 lakh takas. He, along with outside Bengalis, built 3 Jum Ghar resorts under the name Rongrang Eco Resort. It is known that the local Mro, Marma, and Tanchangya communities have demolished them.

It is also known that he sold the land of the hill to numerous outsiders, including the owners of Cox’s Bazar Tourist June, Sajek Valley, and Green Valley.

Based on secret information, it is also known that despite the prohibition of construction of resorts and cottages on Maraingtong Jadi hills in Sangu Mouza area by numerous people including Bohmang Raja of Bandarban, Headman Karbari Association, and member of the Hill District Council Khamlai Mro, construction activities are continuing.

Despite repeated calls to the Headman of Sangu Mouza, Chongpa Mro, to inquire about this matter, he did not receive the call.

Headman Chongpa Mro was seen installing the poles of the Rongrang Eco Resort together with the Bengali outsiders and the son of Gajalia UP Chairman, Bathowaiching Marma.