Protest against acquisition for Ruma Cantonement and BDR Wing HQ in Ruma of CHT

Written on 22 November 2010. Posted in Bangladesh

On 8 November 2010, indigenous Jumma peoples in Ruma upazila under Bandarban Hill District organised demonstration and held meeting at Ruma Upazilla HQ protesting against acquisition of lands of the Jumma people recorded in their names as well as occupied by them so far for expansion of Ruma Cantonment of the Bangladesh Army and establishment of new wing headquarter of BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) in Ruma.

The protest was organised by the local Jumma people under the banner of the People from All Levels in Ruma. It is noted that the Army authority during the pre-CHT Accord period put a plan to acquire 9,560 acres of land for expansion of Ruma cantonment. Since mid 1980s the local Army authority time and again made attempts to have acquisition of the proposed area. Every time the local Jumma People particularly the Murung (Mro), who numbering to about 15,000 (Fifteen thousand) are to be uprooted even from their whole mouza (local traditional area unit) and would become completely landless and deprived from their livelihood, the occupation of plough land cultivation and shifting agriculture cultivation.

Tags: Land rights