Recover lands grabbed by Bengali settlers

They also called for immediate withdrawal of the case filed against the Jumma people in an incident that took place at Maischhari area under Mahalchhari upazila on April 3 this year.

The press conference was organised jointly by Bangladesh Adibashi Forum, Khagrachhari Zila Nagorik Committee, Khagrachhari Zila Headman Association, Jumma Sharanarthi Kalyan Parishad, Hill Law Graduate Association, and Legal Aid and Research Association at the National Press Club in the city protesting land grabbing of indigenous people and torturing on indigenous women.

Mentioning the April 3 incident as pre-planned, the indigenous leaders said it was the result of grabbing seven acres of land belonging to the orphanage and Boudha Bihar one year ago by the Bengali settlers.

They demanded arrest of the settlers involved in the incident and exemplary punishment to those who allegedly raped two indigenous women.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of Bangladesh Adibashi Forum Sanjib Drong said the indigenous people are still being tortured but the government, whoever in power, never paid any heed to it.

He said the rights of indigenous people won't be established until a democratic, secular and progressive government, formed by honest and deserved candidates, runs the country.

Advocate Hemanta Tripura, general secretary of Legal Aid and Research Association, said in a bid to rehabilitating the settlers, the government provides land to them ignoring the international as well as Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) laws.

It proves that the government does not want peace in the CHT, he added.

Shaktipad Tripura, president of Khagrachhari Zila Headman Association, said it is a matter of deep regret that the indigenous people cannot enjoy civic rights like others despite being the citizens of this country.

He said the settlers are torturing the indigenous people with the help of a section of army in one hand and on the other development works at CHT are being hampered by a section of people in administration.

He urged the journalists working in the capital to visit the area in order to get accurate news.

President of Hill Law Graduate Association Advocate Ashutosh Chakma, Office Secretary Taposh Tripura and Law Secretary Advocate Shupal Chakma of Khagrachhari Zila Nagorik Committee, Organising Secretary of Legal Aid and Research Association Advocate Aungsuithui Marma also spoke at the press conference.