Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA4354
2005-09-01 11:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

KHASIA INDIGENOUS LAND ISSUES IN MOULVIBAZAAR

Tags:  PHUM BG 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 004354 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015
TAGS: PHUM BG
SUBJECT: KHASIA INDIGENOUS LAND ISSUES IN MOULVIBAZAAR

REF: DHAKA 3982

Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Counselor David Renz, reasons 1.4(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 004354

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015
TAGS: PHUM BG
SUBJECT: KHASIA INDIGENOUS LAND ISSUES IN MOULVIBAZAAR

REF: DHAKA 3982

Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Counselor David Renz, reasons 1.4(d)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In the wake of a recent attack on Khasia
betel leaf crops, Khasia indigenous groups continue to try
and resolve land claims with the government. Media reports
may have exaggerated the scope of the attack. END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) On August 27-30, Poloff visited the Moulvibazaar
district, located in northeast Bangladesh in the Sylhet
division, to visit indigenous groups in relation to report of
a recent attack and forced eviction of a Khasia village and
to follow up on the deaths of six people in a bordering
village which police claim were Indian insurgents (septel).
Poloff also met with government officials, local BNP and AL
leaders, and journalists in the area.

ATTACK ON KHASIA CROPS AUGUST 3
--------------


3. (SBU) Khasia leaders, Father Joseph Gomes, a Bengali
priest involved in activism on behalf of indigenous groups,
and Mahbub Morshed, a local Forestry Department official,
each claim that Forestry officials and local Bengalis
involved in the Forestry Department's "Social Forestry"
project, destroying Khasia betel leaf crops on August 3.
Khasia leaders recounted a group of 400-600 Bengalis and
Forestry Officials who came with two elephants while Morshed
said a group of about 30 with a few Forestry Officials
destroyed the crops.


4. (SBU) Poloff went to the specific village that allegedly
came under attack and did not see much evidence of crop
destruction along the way. Leaders at the village were
reluctant to show evidence of crop destruction saying it was
further away and out of view. When asked about other
problems, leaders, only mentioned the need for a road
connecting their village to the main road (currently an hour
plus hike up muddy paths from the main road). Contrary to
press reports and previous statements from Father Gomes, none
described any attack or forced eviction of Khasia villages
(reftel).


5. (SBU) Khasia leaders filed a court case after police
refused to accept their formal complaint about the attack.
Khasia leaders did report, however, that police were
concerned about the well-being of the Khasias and sent
security forces the following day for their protection.
There are currently 8-10 people accused of the incident and
their case is pending in court.

KHASIAS STRUGGLING WITH BDG OVER UNRESOLVED LAND CLAIMS
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) Father Joseph Gomes, provided background on land
disputes between the Khasia and the government. According to
Gomes, the Forest Department initiated two Eco Park projects
in 1999 on land where the Khasia people have lived and farmed
betel leaf, their livelihood source, for generations. One
project was designed for 1,500 acres and the other for 800
acres. While the Khasia leaders have been able to delay the
1,500 acre project through their protests and activism, the
800 acre project is underway.


7. (SBU) Morshed, told us that Eco Parks are designed for
"conservation management for the benefit of local people."
The BDG says that it will use the Eco Park to preserve
ecosystems, plant new types of trees, and build
infrastructures for research and training. Khasia leaders
claim, however, that there is plenty of other idle land in
the area and only land which Khasias have traditionally lived
and cultivated crops on has been targeted for Eco Park
construction.


8. (SBU) The land claimed by the Khasia is mostly
unregistered and thus officially under government ownership
according to Morshed, Gomes, and Nawab Abu Abbus, former MP
and whose family previously owned all the land in the
surrounding area. While some Khasia leaders have titles to
their land and claim to be paying land taxes, most do not
have titles because they did not find the registration
process necessary in the early 1950's when land registration
began. Traditional nomadic customs and collective ownership
traditions further complicate Khasia compliance with land
registration policies. Forestry Official Morshed
acknowledged the need for a permanent solution so that the
indigenous groups could have full legal rights to their land
and the BDG can "better protect the forest."


9. (C) COMMENT: The land disputes between the Khasia and the
BDG has been a long-standing problem. Some indigenous
activists and politicians seem to be taking advantage of this
protracted situation for their personal gain at the expense
of the Khasia. There is reason to believe that the scope of
the recent attack has been exaggerated. Viewed in this
light, the attack on Khasia betel leaf crops can be read as
an attempt by some to inflame this long-standing dispute for
their own political gain. END COMMENT.
CHAMMAS