Payra Port construction: Rights activists call to compensate, rehabilitate 6 reportedly evicted Rakhine families 

Human rights activists have urged the government to take immediate action to rehabilitate and compensate six Rakhine families who were evicted from their land during the construction of Payra Port in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district.

At a discussion meeting on "The Evicted Six Rakhine Families and Nagorik Uddyug," at the National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday, they called the displacement "a clear case of injustice in the name of development", and highlighted the prolonged suffering faced by the affected ethnic minority families.

Speaking at the event, Chingdamo Rakhine, a member of one of the evicted families, said, "During the second phase of land acquisition for Payra Port, our 250-year-old ancestral homestead was taken without prior consultation."

"We received some compensation for trees and houses, but none for the land itself. It's been 37 months, and yet, no effective resolution has been offered," he added. 

He also noted that the port authorities had initially promised a monthly housing allowance of Tk5,000 per family, which was discontinued after just six months. "We are urgently demanding proper rehabilitation for our six families."

Professor Robayet Ferdous of the University of Dhaka criticised the process by which the families were relocated. "They were placed in a building alongside Muslim communities, where they are unable to maintain their traditional customs and dietary practices, which have been compromised. Even the temporary rent support they were promised was halted after six months. This is a clear instance of injustice against the ethnic minority people," he said.

Mainthin Promila, treasurer of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, condemned the displacement as a form of aggression disguised as development. "The six Rakhine families of Patuakhali have lost not just their homes, but also their burial and cremation grounds, ponds, and cultural spaces. Meanwhile, housing for officials — who don't even live in the area — stands unused. If this entitlement culture continues, ordinary citizens will be left landless."

The activists called on the interim government's Shipping Adviser to take urgent and meaningful steps to address the issue, ensure justice, and uphold the rights of the affected Rakhine community people.

Rights activist Dipayan Khisa moderated the discussion meeting, where Ching Dhamo Rakhine, a member of one of the six evicted Rakhine families, and Mongchothin Talukder, president of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Barishal region, also spoke.