Save the Rakhaines from the land-grabbers
Monday, 20 April 2009
THIS is our dearest mother land. Where shall we go leaving this country? We want to live and die in our dearest Bangladesh, our dearest mother land. But, we the Buddhist Rakhaines are coming under attack by the Muslim fundamentalist groups.
About two hundred years ago, our ancestors had come from the Arakan state to settle at "Kuakata". The Rakhaine people called this place "Kuakata."
At that time, there were desolate forests and wild animals all around Kuakata. This was also part of the Sundarbans. The Rakhaines had to work hard to turn this place habitable and beautiful. It is the result of their toil, intelligence and hardwork. A minority, we are now being subjected to eviction and land-grabbing.
Local extremist Aziz Musolle, Barek Molla, and the local administration are helping the land grabbers to evict the Buddhist Rakhaines from their hand.
It has made the Buddhist Rakhaine completely landless. They have to leave the place and move to Dhaka as refugees.
In 1947-48, there were 54 Rakhaine paras or localities at Lota Chapli Union in Kuakata with 1785 households.
Now, only 12 Rakhaine Paras or localities are there. According to the Rakhaine Review statistics, in 1947-48, there were 158 Rakhaine Paras and 5190 households in greater Potuakali and Barguna Zilla. Now there are only 47 Rakhaine Paras and 55 households in Barisal division.
Local UP members, chairmen are helping the land grabbers by making false land records and certificates.
Are we citizens of another country? We are Buddhists. But that's not our fault. Then why are we evicted from our ancestral land? Please save us.
Matin Talukdar
Kala Can Para
Lota Chapli Union
Alipur
Thana: Kolapara
Potuakhali
About two hundred years ago, our ancestors had come from the Arakan state to settle at "Kuakata". The Rakhaine people called this place "Kuakata."
At that time, there were desolate forests and wild animals all around Kuakata. This was also part of the Sundarbans. The Rakhaines had to work hard to turn this place habitable and beautiful. It is the result of their toil, intelligence and hardwork. A minority, we are now being subjected to eviction and land-grabbing.
Local extremist Aziz Musolle, Barek Molla, and the local administration are helping the land grabbers to evict the Buddhist Rakhaines from their hand.
It has made the Buddhist Rakhaine completely landless. They have to leave the place and move to Dhaka as refugees.
In 1947-48, there were 54 Rakhaine paras or localities at Lota Chapli Union in Kuakata with 1785 households.
Now, only 12 Rakhaine Paras or localities are there. According to the Rakhaine Review statistics, in 1947-48, there were 158 Rakhaine Paras and 5190 households in greater Potuakali and Barguna Zilla. Now there are only 47 Rakhaine Paras and 55 households in Barisal division.
Local UP members, chairmen are helping the land grabbers by making false land records and certificates.
Are we citizens of another country? We are Buddhists. But that's not our fault. Then why are we evicted from our ancestral land? Please save us.
Matin Talukdar
Kala Can Para
Lota Chapli Union
Alipur
Thana: Kolapara
Potuakhali