In August 2007, Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers broke into the boundary of Sadhantila Buddhist Temple in Dighinala and began erecting houses inside the temple boundary. Here the settlers argue with resident Buddhist monk.

Bengali settlers attempt to grab indigenous land in Manikchari

On 3 July 2015, Muslim settlers with the help of Bangladesh army attempted to grab 26 acres of indigenous Buddhist land and a Buddhist temple at Bokripara village in Manikchari, Khagrachari district.

In that morning Muslim settlers started clearing jungle on indigenous Buddhist land at Bokripara while Bangladesh army personnel were providing protection to the Muslim settlers.

At one location Mohammad Hasan and Mohammad Kashem, two brothers and 6 others cleared jungle in 10 acres of land belonging to Ratan Chakma (60) and Pattan Chakma (50).

Earlier, on 29 June 2015, they had planted mango saplings on a part of the said land after clearing it of jungle. Ratan and Pattan are two brothers and they have been in possession of the land for 40 years.

At another location, about the same time, a group of 14 Muslim settlers have begun clearing jungle to grab 8 acres of land belonging to Mirzapur Shanti Dham Buddhist temple.

The land was purchased by Ven. Bodhiratna Bhante from Pailapru Marma of the same village.

At yet another location, 6 Muslim settlers led by Mohammad Yushuf of Gochchabil have cleared jungle to occupy 8 acres of indigenous land belonging to Barun Chakma (47) son of Aila Mohan Chakma. He has been in possession of the said land for 30 years.

The land owners said they did not lodge protest at the spot because of the presence of Bangladesh army. However, they said they had informed the UNO about the matter.

Sources: