On 17 April 2011 Bangladesh army backed Muslim settlers attacked the indigenous Buddhist people at Ramgarh leaving at least 2 indigenous people dead and scores injured and missing. The aim of the attack was to drive out the indigenous Buddhists and grab their land. The indigenous victims of Bengali attack and their burnt down homes.

Bengali settlers attempt to grab indigenous peoples’ land in Ramgarh of Khagrachari district

On 23 September 2011 around 10.00 am a group of Muslim settlers went to Pagla Para of Ramgarh to grab the lands belonging to indigenous Marma community. However, the indigenous villagers opposed them and at a stage the Muslim settlers returned from Pagla Para.

Again on 24 September 2011 around 9.00 am, Muslim settlers gathered at Pagla Para and tried to occupy the lands. On the other hand, Marma villagers also gathered there to prevent Muslim settlers from land grabbing.

At the same time, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Ramgarh Mr. Gopal Chandra Das, Officer-in-Charge of Ramgarh police station Mr. Ohidul Rahman, Headman of Nabhangra mouza Mr. Saching Prue Chowdhury, Chairman of Patachara union Md. Alamgir rushed to the spot.

UNO ordered both Muslim settlers and Marma villagers to be present at a meeting to be held on 25 September with their land title deed.

It is mentionable that Muslim settlers were illegally provided land title deed while government settled them in CHT in ’80s. Government provided title deed without recommendation of the Headman of the concerned mouza.

At present, local administration imposed red alert at Jalia Para, Patachara and Guimara areas for any unwanted situation. Indigenous Marma villagers remain under insecurity fearing communal attack from the Muslim settlers who are backed by the Bangladesh army.

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