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.

Bengali settlers attempt to grab indigenous Buddhist land in Khagrachari

On 25 February 2016, Muslim settlers attempt to grab indigenous land in Rowasaya Para in Kamalchari Union, about 3 kilometers south of Khagrachari town. Muslim settlers failed grab indigenous land when they met fierce resistance from indigenous people.

Tensions flared early in the morning on that day when a group of Muslim settlers from Shalbon in Khagrachari town went to Rowasaya Para (Rubber Plantation) in 2 open jeeps and tried to build houses on lands belonging to indigenous villagers.

Indigenous people fiercely resisted the Muslim settlers forcing them to retreat.

Government officials including the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Mayor rushed to the spot and prevented the tension from flaring into a communal riot, which is often the case when Muslim settlers attempt to grab indigenous land in the CHT. They brought the situation under control by forcing the settlers to go back home.

Although calm and normalcy has returned to the area, there is apprehension that the settlers might stage a comeback when they see an opportune moment in the future.

Sources: