Saikat Das, Bandarban
The entrances to the Mro villages in the Chimbuk Hills of Bandarban are now enclosed in a bamboo fence, which they call ‘Khasur’ in Mro language. In the event of an epidemic or a major disaster in the country, the Khasur or bamboo fence is built at the entrance of Mro villages according to their tradition. This year they built the Khasur as a precaution to protect the villages from corona virus and measles.
Khasur has been made in 20 Mro villages including Mrolongpara, Mro Para, Basant Para, Kramadi Para, Ranglai Chairman Para and Shinching Para on Bandarban-Chimbuk road.
Visiting on Saturday, it was found that the entrance of Ranglai chairman Para and Kramadi Para were blocked with bamboo and cane fence. And a handwritten banner written iin both Bangla and Mro language was hung 'Banning visitors from the villages to prevent corona virus'. No one inside the village is allowed to go out. During the visit, people of different ages were seen sitting inside the Khasur and talking.
The Chairman of Bandarban Zila Parishad Kya Shoi Hla took food items for the residents of these locked down villages on Friday. However, the residents did not let him in as they have made Khasur in the entrance. He had to leave the food items in front of the Khasur.
From the other side of the fence, aresident of Ranglai Chairman Para Lengpung Karbari said, "We do not allow anyone to enter the Para after making the Khasur. Even if the President and the Prime Minister of the country come we will not let them in. We have made the Khasur this time to prevent corona virus”. Another residrnt Konning Mro Lon said, "We make Khasur when there is an epidemic in the hills. This time we made it due to measles and corona virus”.
Talking about the social norms of the Mros member of Bandarban Zila Parishad Syong Yong Mro, said that when an epidemic occurs in the mountains, they built a Khasur, it is their tradition. If anyone crosses the fence and breaks the rules, they have to pay a fine and receive punishment.
Ranglai Mro, President of Mro Social Council and former UP Chairman said, Chimbuk Hill and Mro Paras are famous tourist attraction of Bandarban. For this reason, outsiders have been banned from entering those villages. Until the outbreak of corona virus reduces, the paras will remain locked down. However, the daily activities of the residents will be continue.
Chairman of Bandarban Zila Parishad Kya Shoi Hla said, "I am delivering food items to the Mro villagers so that they don’t have tto to face any food crisis. Each of the 72 Mro families have been given 10 kg rice, pulses and salt. And I have a medical team ready for their treatment too”.
Author of Mro Language Yangan Mro said that leaflets about corona virus were translated in Mro Language and circulated among the villages. For this, the people of the neighborhood have become aware of corona virus risk. Now, outsiders cannot enter the villages, he added.
