Obstruction in jum cultivation threatens livelihood of 80 indigenous families in Lama
KF Report: The livelihood of 80 jum farmer families of Lama upazila under Bandarban district is under threat allegedly due to regular obstruction, intimidation and death threats from Lama Rubber Industries Ltd.
It is learnt that 80 indigenous Jumma families from Natun Para, Dhekichhara Para and Noa Para under 303 No Doluchara mouza in Lama upazila under Bandarban have been involved with jum cultivation (shifting cultivation) for generations. Traditionally, they have collectively possessed the land have enjoyed the right to cultivate on the land. However, in the beginning of this year, 2016, when the villagers from three villages went to work in the jum field, they were obstructed to work by the people of Lama Rubber Industries Ltd. When the farmers asked the reason, Mohammad Arif, manager of Lama Rubber Industries Ltd. claimed that the company took lease 1600 acres of (jum) land comprising of 64 plots, each 25 acres, of land from the government and hence the Jumma villagers were no more allowed to cultivate in that land. Since then the villagers have been restrained from cultivating in the land and received threats including death threats on a regular basis from the company people. Now the livelihood of 80 families is under serious threat.
Published on February 8, 2016.
