About 10 Houses Belonging to Non-Bengali Indigenous People Were Destroyed in Baghaichhari, Bangladesh

News

Global Arakan Network October 22, 2025

Location of Baghaichhari and Destroyed Houses (photocrd)

In Baghaichhari Township, Rangamati District, Bangladesh, about ten houses belonging to indigenous residents who are not of Bengali ethnicity were destroyed by Bengali Muslims, who also reportedly looted household items, according to local sources.

Residents told AB News that on the evening of October 20, a group of Bengali Muslims attacked the indigenous residents of Malla village in connection with a land dispute, setting one house on fire and destroying nine others.

“The Bengali people want to drive out other local indigenous residents. In Malla village, they used a land dispute as a pretext to burn down one house, destroy nine others, and steal all the belongings,” one local said.

The house of Jagadish Chakma (age 69) from Malla village was among those burned down, while nine other homes were also destroyed. Malla village in Baghaichhari Township is inhabited by indigenous Thet people from the hill tracts of Bangladesh.

About nine months ago, Bengali villagers from Saplath village, Mohammad Joz Mia and Mohammad Sadiq, reportedly bought land from Sumu Chakma and Gahaba Chakma of the Langadu area, and later began seizing the land by force.

Because local farmers refused to accept the land grab, a land dispute broke out between the indigenous residents and the Bengali settlers.

To resolve the conflict, a mediation meeting was held, attended by Mohammad Muzibur, chairman of Amtali Union; Atul Bihari Chakma, chairman of Sarbotli Union; and the commander of the Malla military base. Both sides signed an agreement after reaching a compromise.

However, Mohammad Joz Mia and Mohammad Sadiq later rejected the agreement and appealed to the BGB headquarters in Rajnagar, under the direction of Mohammad Arif, the head of the department, requesting the return of the land.

Photos Related to the Incident

The BGB headquarters reportedly claimed administrative authority over the disputed land and instructed Mohammad Tarek, an officer from the Malla military base, to assist in the land dispute. Subsequently, Mohammad Joz Mia built a house on the disputed land owned by the Malla villagers.

Despite repeated warnings and township meetings led by Atul Bihari Chakma, chairman of Sarbotli Union, and Gyanjyoti Chakma, chairman of Banglataly Union, urging adherence to the agreement, no justice has been achieved for the victims.

Due to the unresolved land dispute, a group of Bengali Muslims launched a violent attack on Malla village on the night of October 20, setting fire to and destroying homes, and looting villagers’ belongings. It was reported that indigenous residents fled the village to escape the attack.

source@arakanbaynews