Attacks on to grab Khasi land

Betel leaf cultivation is the only source of income of the indigenous Khasi people in the district, but some criminals have started destroying the betel leaf gardens recently.

Criminals cut down 150 betel leaf trees in Muroicherra punjee area under Kulaura upazila of the district on November 4. They felled over 200 betel leaf trees at Islacherra punjee on October 31.

Headman of the Islacherra punjee Akriman Pathmi said criminals cut two hundreds betel plants in his punjee.

The people of Kulaura upazila are deeply distressed following an attack by a gang of criminals who targeted the punjee's betel leaf plantations. Indigenous people believe the attack was instigated by Palash Mia and Babul Mia of Noldori village following an earlier altercation between residents and the duo on September 27.

Head of the Amuli punjee Protush Asakra said environmentalists, civil society and punjee people demand immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the persons involved in such a heinous act.  

Flora Bably Talang, general secretary of KUBORAZ (an indigenous human-rights based organisation) said the responsibility of state is to ensure security of the Khasi community. The state should take urgent action against the perpetrators, she added.

Despite several attempts, this correspondent could not contact the Kulaura forest officer as his cellophane remained switched off.

Officer-in-Charge of Kulaura Police Station Md Shamsuddoha said the victims should inform the police, who can then investigate the matter and take action against the culprits.

President of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Sylhet chapter Gourango Patro said Khasi people have not been getting justice in the matter for a long time. The land belongs to them as per ILO Convention-107, he told this correspondent.

Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) Sharif Jamil said innocent Khasis are in jail facing false cases, tea gardens are chopping down trees, and land grabbers together with timber traders are destroying Khasi villages.

Destruction of betel leaf gardens is violation of the Constitution of Bangladesh. There is no alternative but people's movement to protect the Khasis and their villages, he added.