On 17 February 2011, the Bengali settlers backed by Border Guards of Bangladesh attacked the indigenous people at Longadu leaving at least 2 indigenous people seriously injured. The aim of the attack was to drive out the indigenous Chakma Buddhists and grab their land. A Chakma couple pick up the pieces after the house was burnt down by the settlers.

Bengali settlers try to grab indigenous land in Naniarchar

On 3 March 2011 Bengali Muslim settlers tried again to occupy fringe land from the indigenous people in Naniarchar under Rangamati district. On that day in the morning hundreds of Muslim settlers gathered at Gobindabil area under Maischari in Naniarchar to occupy fringe land while indigenous peasants were sowing. Muslims settlers were accompanied by the Bangladesh army led by Subedar Sayeed from Naniarchar army zone.

At a stage, the indigenous people rushed to Naniarchar administration to prevent the Muslim settlers from land grabbing. Then and there Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) of Naniarchar Mohamed Abdul Hai sent a group of police to the spot for controlling the situation. No sooner he also called a meeting with indigenous and Muslim settlers at his office. The meeting was also attended by Chairman of Naniarchar Priti Moy Chakma, Headman of Maischari mouza Mr. Kalayan Dewan and other chairmen of union councils under Naniarchari upazila. Mr. Kritiraj Khisa on behalf of all his 5 brothers showed entitlement document in the meeting. He claimed that his grandfather got settlement of 24.40 acres of land in 1942-43. However, the Muslim settlers failed to show any document. The UNO ordered the indigenous people to continue sowing.

On another incident, 8 Muslim settlers tried to grab 30 acres of indigenous land owned by Madhu Mani Chakma, Susamay Chakma, Nila Baran Chakma, Uprue Chai Marma and Dayal Mani Chakma of Natun Baradam village under Maischari mouza. Subedar Sayeed from Naniarchar army zone had been instigating the Muslim settlers to occupy indigenous land.

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