Now, tensions seem to be escalating further with recent back-to-back protests organized by locals standing both against and in favour of the “Marriott Hotel and Amusement Park” project, undertaken by R&R Holdings Ltd, a concern of Sikder Group. While, the usual protests have been continuing against the alleged land grabbing and rights violation of Mro people in the name of five-star hotel construction, another faction of locals on Tuesday launched a counter-program supporting the new infrastructure for the sake development of tourism in the region. Speaking on the issue, Khamlai Mro, former Thanchi upazila chairman and a reputed Mro leader told the Dhaka Tribune that participants standing in favour of the hotel project were deceived into joining the protest. The initiative, if implemented, will directly affect six villages of the Mro community and indirectly affect another 70 to 116 villages of the community. The CHT Commission recommended that the hotel project should be immediately abandoned and a more appropriate location acceptable to the local community be identified for the tourist project in consultation with local stakeholders as well as the CHT Regional Council and the Bandarban Hill District Council.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 21, 2020 09:11 UTC