Mahalchhari Correspondent, CHT News
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Reports have emerged of rising tensions between
indigenous residents and Bengali Muslim settlers in Joysen Para of Maischhari
Union, under Mahalchhari Upazila in Khagrachhari, after settlers obstructed an
indigenous man from constructing a house on land he claims to possess.
According to local sources, on Wednesday, March 18,
2026, Hriday Chakma, son of former union member Sneha Kumar Chakma, attempted
to build a house on land under their possession. Settlers reportedly intervened
and prevented the construction, leading to a verbal altercation and escalating
tensions between the two groups.
Upon receiving the news, members of the army arrived
at the scene. However, allegations have surfaced that they sided with the
Muslim settlers and attempted to remove the indigenous residents from the area.
It is worth noting that on December 12 of last year,
during the interim government period, approximately 200 to 300 Muslim settlers,
led by Md. Shahidul Islam of Joysen Para, reportedly demolished a house built
by former Union Parishad member Sneha Kumar Chakma on the same land and
constructed a new structure there. The army later intervened and assured that
the matter would be resolved within three days.
However, no resolution has been reached by either the administration or the army to date. As a result, Hriday Chakma’s renewed attempt to rebuild a house on the property on March 18 was again met with obstruction from settlers.
The land in question reportedly spans approximately
four acres and includes orchards and cultivated areas belonging to Sneha Kumar
Chakma.
As of the time of writing, tensions and a face-to-face
standoff between indigenous residents and settlers persist, although no major
incidents of violence have been reported.
The Upazila Nirbahi Officer is expected to be present
at the scene.
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