Land grabbing and attack on indigenous peoples by land grabber Mujibul Haque gang in Lama
On 9 September 2013 at around 8.00 am a group of Bengali terrorists numbering 20-30 led by Mujibul Haque Master (Mujibul leader) attacked on indigenous peoples working in the Jum field in order to grab their land at Polijhiri (Polikhyong) area of Rupshi union of Lama upazila under Bandarban district. In this attack 8 indigenous peoples including two women were critically injured. The terrorists also smashed up the Jum house (temporary firm house) belonging to the indigenous Jum cultivators.
Following the incident the henchmen of Mujibul Haque attack on other indigenous peoples whoever they found in their course with rods and sharp weapons. At first, they threw the powder of chili on the face and then attacked with rods and sharp weapons. The wounded indigenous peoples of the Hlachai village, who are being given treatment in hospital, are as follows:
1. Mong Sa Nue Marma (25) s/o Kyaw Swe Nue Marma,
2. Aung Hla Prue Marma (26), s/o Mong A Marma,
3. U Swe Hla Marma (26), s/o Kyaw Ching Sa Marma,
4. Mong Mra Thowai (24) s/o Mei Mong Marma,
5. Ms. Chaw Ma Thui Marma (25), d/o Kyaw Hla U Marma,
6. Aung Kyaw Thowai Marma (28), s/o Mong Cha Thui Marma,
7. Ms. Na Prue (29), d/o Hla Thowai Ching Marma.
Furthermore, the Bengali settlers attacked on three other indigenous peoples of Tiyar Jhiri village (Longkhyong village) when they were going to hunt wild pig. The critically injured indigenous peoples were handed over to the military personnel through falsely relating their involvement with the Polijhiri clash. At present they are being given treatment in Dordori Hospital of the area. In this attack, one of the injured persons was identified as A Sha Prue Marma s/o late Kyaw Thowai Prue Marma. But the names of the two other victims were not confirmed but it is known that they are sons of Cho Aung and Thui Ching Aung of the area.
Mentionable that, the villagers of Hlachai village including one U Swe Hla Marma have farmlands and plantations in Polijhiri area of 294 No. Dordori mouza. Earlier, the henchmen of the Mujibul Haque tried to occupy those lands but failed due to opposition of the indigenous peoples. The henchmen of the land grabber Mujibul Haque used to grab lands in the area and hand over the lands to the different companies. Recently, in Lama, Naikhyongchari, Alikadam and Rowangchari upozila of Bandarban district, the outsider land grabbers, business companies, and influential quarters have been occupying the lands which are recorded and occupied by indigenous peoples in support of local administration.
Following the attack on indigenous peoples, on 9 September 2013 Naprue Marma filed a case against 18 persons including Mujibul Haque and his son Mohammad Zahir (35) with Lama police station. Although police claimed that, 13 persons were already arrested who are allegedly engaged with this incident but the main perpetrator Mujibul Haque and his son are moving around publicly in the area.
Recommendations:
1. Immediate arrest and punishment of the perpetrators including the main perpetrator Mujibul Haque and his son Zahir;
2. Take immediate actions against land grabbing by Bengali land grabbers owned by indigenous peoples in Lama upozila;
3. To resolve land problem of Chittagong Hill Tracts as per CHT Accord.
