Local Indigenous Protest Against Bangladesh Army’s Illegal Seizure of Buddhist Monastery Land

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Global Arakan Network | October 29, 2025

In Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts, local indigenous residents of Khagrachhari District have staged a protest against the Bangladesh Army’s unlawful seizure of land belonging to a Buddhist monastery to build a military base without permission, according to Bangladeshi media reports.

The event occurred at the Ariya Kalyana Buddhist Monastery in Baramasori Village, Lakkhi Chhari area of Khagrachhari District. Local sources reported that on October 23, the Bangladesh Army forcibly entered the monastery compound, cleared the monastery-owned land by cutting down trees and bamboo, and began ground preparations for constructing a military camp.

A local resident stated, “It’s truly shameful that the army is illegally confiscating Buddhist monastery land to build a camp. They are destroying and forcibly clearing the land of Buddhist religious sites.”

Due to the military’s encroachment and destruction of the monastery land, local indigenous people are reportedly facing difficulties in performing their religious rituals and offering alms.

Another resident said, “Now that the monastery land has been destroyed, how can we continue making offerings or donations? Even holding religious ceremonies has become difficult. The Bangladeshi government is creating a disgraceful situation for us.”

In response to the encroachment, about 2,000 local indigenous residents gathered and peacefully protested.

Beginning around 11 a.m. on October 24, villagers assembled at the Baramasori village playground and demanded that the Bangladesh Army immediately stop building the military camp and withdraw from the monastery compound.

Afterward, the protesters marched toward the site where the military camp was being constructed, but the Bangladesh Army blocked their movement. Reports indicate that subsequent discussions were held between army officers and representatives of the protesters.

source@arakanbaynews