17 hurt as locals, settlers clash in Khagrachhari

A clash between indigenous people and settlers over disputed land left at least 17 people seriously injured at Boroitali under Guimara upazila in Khagrachhari district yesterday morning.

Four people went missing after the incident and aggrieved people kept roads blocked for over four hours demanding return of the missing people.

The injured were admitted to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital, Guimara Army Hospital, and Matiranga Upazila Health Complex.

The four missing people have been identified as Hafiz Bandari, 55, Habibur Rahman, 55, Solaiman 32, and Rabiul Islam 36.

Locals and police said the incident began at about 8:30am when a group of indigenous people attacked the settlers to take control of the land, which was provided to settlers in 1981-82.

Later army, police and Ansar members took position to avert further untoward incident, they said.

“This is our land. Bangladesh government gave these lands to us in early 1980s. But we were shifted to a guchchhagram (cluster village) in the name of security in 1982. Now they [indigenous people] want to drive us out by creating untoward incident,” said Rahmot Ali, 65, a Bangali settler.

Indigenous Ranobir Chakma, on the other hand, said the incident took place as settlers wanted to grab their lands.

Mohammad Shahaz Uddin, secretary general of Parbatya Chattagram Soma Adhikar Andolon, has demanded immediate release of the missing people and arrest and punishment of the grabbers.

Local lawmaker Zatindra Lal Tripura urged people to maintain peace and show respect to laws.