CHT NEWS
| The home of Jagadish Chakma, burned down by settlers. |
Baghaichari Correspondent, CHT News
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
The illegal settlers carried out an attack, arson,
vandalism, and looting in Baro Mallya, an indigenous village in the Sarboatli
Union of Baghaichari Upazila in Rangamati district, over a land dispute. At
least one house was burned down, and nine houses were vandalized and looted.
The attack reportedly took place around midnight on
October 20, 2025.
The house that was set on fire belonged to:
• Jagadish Chakma (65), son of the late Bagora Chakma,
Village: Baro Mallya, Ward 9, Union 30, Sarboatli.
The individuals whose homes were vandalized and looted
are:
1. Nil Ratan Chakma (52), son of Bosu Kumar Chakma –
His house was destroyed and household items looted.
2. Usha Moy Chakma (45), daughter of the late Bijoy
Chakma – Solar panel, 2 sacks of rice, clothes, and chickens looted.
3. Nipon Chakma (35), son of Bijoy Chakma – 2 solar
batteries, one 8-horsepower pump machine, mobile phone, spray machine, and a
motor stolen.
4. Juddha Muni Chakma (45), son of Nil Mohon Chakma –
Solar panel, clothes, and 2 sacks of paddy looted.
5. Shovar Bijoy Chakma (40), son of the late Bidya
Kumar Chakma – Solar battery and all household furniture looted.
6. Sumoti Ranjan Chakma (50), son of the late
Banishwar Chakma – 6-horsepower pump machine, 20 sacks of paddy, chairs, and
tables looted.
7. Sushanto Chakma (30), father’s name unknown –
Household furniture looted.
8. Peda Chakma (40), son of the late Chandra Sen
Chakma – 20 sacks of paddy and husk destroyed, and furniture looted.
9. Nihar Bindu Chakma (60), son of the late Bidya
Kumar Chakma – Household furniture looted.
 |
| During the attack, the settlers smashed various household items, including cooking utensils. |
Background of the Dispute
According to local sources, around 8-9 months ago, two
settlers—Md. Jaj Mia (resident of Ward 9 settler area) and Md. Siddique
(resident of Dibormukh settler area in Longadu)—claimed to have purchased land
from Suman Chakma and Ghorhaba Chakma.
The local indigenous residents refused to accept this
claim, leading to a long-standing land dispute between the settlers and the
indigenous community.
To resolve the matter, a mediation meeting was held in
the presence of:
• Chairman Md. Mujibur of Amtali Union (No. 37),
• Chairman Atul Bihari Chakma of Sarboatli Union (No.
30), and
• The Mallai Army Camp Commander.
 |
| During the attack, the settlers slashed open sacks of paddy, destroying them. |
A decision was made in that meeting to settle the
dispute.
However, allegedly under external influence, Md. Jaj
Mia and Md. Siddique later rejected the agreement. They submitted an
application to Lt. Col. Md. Atik, Commander of the Rajnagar BGB Zone,
requesting the return of the land they claimed to have purchased.
Lt. Col. Atik reportedly advised them to take
possession of the land and instructed Warrant Officer Md. Tarek, Commander of
the Mallya Army Camp, to assist them in doing so.
Escalation
Following this advice, Md. Jaj Mia recently built a
house on the disputed land, which is part of the indigenous settlement.
This act, seen as a violation of the prior agreement,
was repeatedly raised in the monthly Upazila Parishad meetings and law and
order meetings by:
• Chairman Atul Bihari Chakma (Sarboatli Union)
• Chairman Gyanjyoti Chakma (Bongoltoli Union, No. 35)
They even informed the head of DGFI in Khagrachari
about the issue. However, the administration took no initiative to resolve the
dispute, causing tensions to intensify.
In this climate of unresolved conflict, tensions
flared last night, leading to the coordinated attack by settlers on Baro Mallya
indigenous village—resulting in arson, destruction, and looting.
During the attack, the indigenous residents were
forced to flee in fear.
Current Situation
The area remains tense and fearful. Local
administration and public representatives are reportedly trying to calm the
situation.
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