"We are indigenous. We have been living here for ages. We have our homes on the hill. We cultivate vegetables here. I grow beans, potatoes, brinjal, and some other vegetables in my land of two Kathas.
But, the people of the forest have uprooted all the trees of the field.
I have two sons and two daughters. My family is centered around them. I am cultivating vegetables on loan. These guys ended it all, they shattered everything.
To whom do we seek justice? " The woman, who belongs to the impoverished minority community, said this in a tearful voice on Thursday (August 12) afternoon.
Her name is Bharatiya Mri (55), she is the wife of Bihar Jambil of Khristanpara village in the hilly area of Sreebardi Upazila of Sherpur.
Sabhani Simsang(56), the wife of her neighbor Linder Son, made the same allegation. She said, "I was cultivating pumpkin, luffa, and beans in 20 percent of the land. Today the people of the forest are cutting down all the trees of the field. What are we going to do? ". Residents of the village, including Sabita Mri, 60, wife of the late Wimsing Morong, and Kamala Rema, wife of Benting Rangsa said it has been centuries since they have been living in the hills. They cultivate vegetables on a small plot of land in the hills and somehow make a living. Recently, Rabiul Islam, a range officer of the Balijuri Range of the Forest Department, and his office men brought in some cadres and cut down all the trees in their fields.
"This has completely shut down our only source of income. Thousands of rupees have been lost. "-These were the crying voices of the victims.
As a matter of fact, Hundreds of them from Christianpara and surrounding villages are living in extreme anxiety about how to run the family.
It is known that the Garo hills are around the border area of Singabarna union and Sreebardi Upazila which is Ranishimul. People from different ethnic groups including Garo, Hajong, Banai, and Kuch have been living here since the British rule. Earlier they used to cultivate Jhum. Jhum farming has been lost in the evolution of time. Now the only source of income is agriculture. Local resident Bratin Marak said that A raid led by Rabiul Islam, a range officer of the Balijuri Range, cut down about 40 percent of the land of four or five people in the hills of Christianpara village and cut down more than 100 betel seedlings. The affected families have become helpless. He added that they are cutting with the excuse of vegetable cultivation. This is causing them irreparable damage. They demand compensation from the forestry department.
In response, Balijuri Range Officer, Rabiul Islam said that the victims have forcibly cultivated vegetables on the land of the forest department. Beneficial projects are being implemented there. For this, the trees of those sub-fields are being cut down and the tree saplings of the Sufal project are being cleared for growth. These activities are going on regularly.
Meanwhile, they are spending their days in fear of such a decision of the forest officials.
Written by Sushmit Chakma
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