Eight indigenous women were appointed as karbari (chief of village) for the first time in Marma community.

U Ni Hla Marma, headman of Taracha mouza in Rowangchhari upazila, appointed them yesterday.

They are Pru Ma Ching Marma, U Mya Nu Marma, Nu Ma Prue Marma, Kya Mra U Marma, Hla Ma Thui Marma, Ching Yoi U Marma, Sa Ma Prue Marma, and Shwe Yang Prue Marma.

Headman U Ni Hla said from now, the appointees will take part in traditional social justice and development programme in their respective areas following the rules of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Sa Ma Prue, who was appointed as karbari for Baikkyong Noa Para, said, "I am very happy to receive such an honour and I will try to serve my village people following the traditional rules in Chittagong Hill Tracts."

Bandarban Bohmong Circle Chief U Chaw Prue said there are around 1000 karbaris and 109 mouzas under the circle but there were no female karbaris in his circle.

 "It's a good initiative and I hope newly appointed indigenous female karbaris will play an important role in their respective field," he said.