Hill Voice, 11 January 2025, Rangamati: Allegations have been raised that the Bangladesh Army have initiated to set up a military camp occupying land belonging to Jamachug Banashram Bhabona Kendra (a Meditation Center for Buddhist monks) in Bandukbhanga Union of Rangamati Sadar Upazila.

According to local sources, on 8 January, a group of the army numbering 20 personnel from Kharikyong Army Camp under Naniarchar Zone led by Warrant Officer Md. Ashraf went to the meditation center premises. During their visit, they grabbed and cleared around one acre of land of the meditation center for setting up an army camp.

Reportedly, they cut down around 300 trees including mango trees, Australian trees, and betel nut trees belonging to the centre within its boundaries. When the principal of the meditation center and locals tried to refrain the army, in response the army personnel intimidated and threatened them.

It is worthy to mention that between 28 December 2024 and 10 January 2025, the army numbering around 100/200 were deployed in groups in the areas of Marimon, Mono Adam and Jamchug. During the patrolling, allegations of harassment in the name of patrolling in the surrounding areas were also reported.

It is furthermore learnt that on January 6 and 8 of 2025, the army spent two nights in the kitchen of the meditation centre without permission. The army also searched the meditation centre vehicle used for carrying goods for the centre.

The local Buddhist people have expressed outrage over the initiative to set up that army camp forcibly occupying the land of the Buddhist monastery.