CHTC: New five-star hotel risks displacing Mro people in Bandarban

The International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission (CHTC) has expressed concern that the construction of a new five-star hotel in Bandarban may displace local Mro people, and called for immediate cancellation of the project.  

The commission made the call through a press statement on Monday.

A new five-star hotel titled “Marriott Hotel and Amusement Park” is reportedly set to be built in the Chimbuk-Thanchi route, 47 kilometres southeast of Bandarban district town, in a joint venture by the 24th Division and the 69th Brigade of Bangladesh Army, the Army Welfare Trust and R&R Holdings Limited, a concern of Sikder Group.

The area contains several villages, home to people from the Mro ethnic group. 

The CHTC has also received a copy of a petition to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Mro villagers residing in Kaprupara, Dolapara, Erapara and Chimbuk Pahar calling for a halt to the construction.

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They pointed out that the proposed construction will directly displace poor Mro villagers from three villages and threaten to displace villagers from five other villages. They also outlined how Mros of Bandarban have already lost a lot of land, and the construction of this hotel will further add to their woes.

The statement adds that it is very concerning that such a massive corporate project is being undertaken in Bandarban when the CHT Land Commission is yet to begin functioning and resolving land disputes in the area.

Land grabbing in Bandarban in the name of corporate tourism and other profit-making businesses has been going on for many years now.

In addition, the military seems to be expanding its presence through various interventions, citing security reasons and tourist projects, and getting even more involved in civil administration matters in the region than it is expected.