Buddhist Monastery and 4 Homes of Local Chakma Families Vandalized in Ukhiya, Bangladesh

News ၊ August 3, 2026

A Buddhist monastery and the homes of four local Chakma families were attacked and destroyed at around 4:30 PM on July 31 in Chenchari village, Ward No. 7, Jalia Palong Union, Ukhiya Township, Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh.

The attack was carried out by a group of around 200 people led by a local wealthy businessman named Nurul Haq, and is reported to be connected to ongoing land ownership disputes. Furthermore, local authorities are reportedly involved in efforts to forcibly seize lands owned by the Chakma people.

Locals stated that the aggressive group attempted to construct roads and build structures on ancestral Chakma farmlands without permission, yet relevant officials have so far failed to take effective action against them.

According to Sardar Maung Chowdhury, a Chakma leader, officials from the Forest Department were present during the incident but did not intervene. During the attack, three Buddha statues inside the monastery were vandalized, and the homes of four Chakma families were attacked and destroyed.

"Under the current circumstances, we no longer feel safe. We are in constant danger of being attacked again at any time, and we fear for our lives and property," said Sardar Maung Chowdhury.

The Chakma Students' Council (Ukhiya–Teknaf) strongly condemned the incident. Nepal Chakma, the general secretary, stated that vandalizing a Buddhist monastery is a completely unacceptable act. He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators under the law, as well as guarantees for the safety of the victims.

Additionally, Kanon Barua Bishal, General Secretary of the Cox's Bazar District Buddha Pujo Celebration Committee, stated that Cox's Bazar has maintained a long tradition of religious harmony, but this incident undermines that heritage.

He urged the relevant authorities to take swift legal action against the perpetrators and to implement effective measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Source@ONN