In a clarification released by the ISPR, the AHQ said their attention has been drawn to the news items headlined "Fresh move to acquire CHT land -- 50 ethnic villages to disappear", published in some national dailies on June 28.

The AHQ said the news quoted a roundtable organised by the SEHD in the capital on June 27 where speakers alleged that 95,601 acres of land are being acquired at Bandarban for a military base. Actually, measures are being taken to acquire 9,500 acres of land, not 95,601 acres claimed in the news.

"Mentionable that the process of acquiring land to establish a full-fledged garrison at Bandarban (Ruma) began in 1978. Ninety-five percent of this land is khas. The trial people started living in this area after the initiation of acquisition process," it said, adding that "there are only 13 small villages on this land, not 50 villages as reported in the news item."

The news told that 45 acres of land are being acquired for Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) at Khagrachhari. In fact, already an army camp exists on this land and the proposed BDR battalion headquarters will be constructed at the same place. It may be mentioned that most lands of both the places are khas and land of individual ownership is very small.

"It may be further noted that the land of individual ownership is very small and the army authorities are sincerely concerned about the people. Following the existing rule due compensations will be paid to the affected people," the press release said.

The AHQ termed the news item "completely untrue" which alleged that "the army of Ruma Cantonment had tried to take signature from the locals with a view to proving that they have no objections if the land is acquired. This is also completely untrue."

Mentioning the news which also quoted former chairman of Rangamati Pourashava Gautam Dewan as saying that no camp has been shifted from there even after seven years of the CHT peace treaty, the AHQ said this is a blatant lie as a total of 152 camps have been withdrawn and closure of more camps is under active consideration.

The AHQ said a vested quarter has been providing concocted and imaginary information to the national media with a view to tarnishing the image of the government and the army. It sought cooperation of the media to uphold the image of the national army.