Flee or starve to death
Their only source of income, betel leaf gardens, came under attack four times in seven months.
After the last attack almost a month ago, when 1,200 of their betel plants were destroyed, they filed a case with the local police station, mentioning names of the perpetrators. But the accused still roam free.
Several indigenous communities in Moulvibazar's Kulaura upazila are facing such recurring attacks on their livelihood when they are struggling for survival amid dwindling income due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before and after the attacks in the village or punjee named Singur in Baramchal union, the communities were asked to vacate the around 300 acres of land on which they have been living and cultivating betel leaf for generations, said community members.
It takes around two to three years to nurture a betel plant before leaves can be plucked from it. Now, after so many mature plants lost in such a short time, the communities face severe financial crisis, they said, adding that with their livelihood diminishing and impending risk of further attacks on their lives and property, about 350 members of different indigenous communities, including Mandi and Khasi, in the village are on the verge of starvation.
On February 19, in the first of the attacks, 700 of their betel plants were chopped down. On the night of July 19, nearly 450 plants were destroyed. At night on June 20, 100 more plants were cut down. And finally, on August 4, the attackers damaged 1,200 plants at night.
Binet Manar, headman of the village, said on August 4, the day of the last attack, the villagers caught red-handed Fakhrul Ali, a resident of Pashchim Singur Gregging village, while he was chopping down betel plants belonging to villagers of Singur.
Before being caught, Fakhrul and his accomplices -- Khairul Mia and Rafiq Mia, also from Pashchim Singur Gregging village -- locked in an altercation with villagers who resisted them from damaging the betel plants.
Following an arbitration meeting, Fakhrul was later released in exchange for a bond, stating that he would never conduct such activities in future, Binet said.
The same night, however, 1,200 betel plants were damaged, he also said.
The next day, a case was filed in this connection with Kulaura Police Station, naming Fakhrul Ali, Khairul Shah and three or four other unnamed individuals, said Ferdous Hasan, officer-in-charge of the police station.
They found the allegation to be true during primary investigation and they were trying to arrest the accused, he added.
This correspondent failed to reach Fakhrul Ali and Khairul Shah for their comments over the allegation as their cell phones were found switched off.
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