Representatives of Chakma organisations in India have formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to downgrade diplomatic relations with Bangladesh. This appeal comes in response to alarming reports of violence against indigenous hill tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs), allegedly orchestrated by the Bangladesh Army in conjunction with illegal plain settlers.
The letter, delivered to PM Modi on September 20, specifically addressed a series of violent incidents that began on September 19, 2024, during which the indigenous communities reportedly faced coordinated attacks resulting in fatalities and extensive property damage. The letter states, “The indigenous hill people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have been killed, their properties burnt by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers since September 19.” This chilling account highlights the vulnerability of the Chakma community amid escalating tensions.
According to the memorandum, the violence included the destruction of over 100 houses and shops in a systematic effort to drive the hill tribes out of their ancestral lands. At least nine people were reportedly killed during these attacks, with the Bangladesh Army allegedly firing indiscriminately on tribal inhabitants who were trying to defend their communities.
The Chakma leaders meticulously documented the violence, providing a grim account of the incidents. They reported that the violence intensified following a peaceful protest on September 18, where approximately 40,000 tribal students participated in a “March for Identity” in Khagrachari. The demonstration aimed to demand recognition of their rights and distinct identity, but was met with violent reprisals just a day later.
The letter indicated that the attacks involved not just the destruction of homes but also the targeting of community businesses and places of worship. The memorandum includes a list of specific establishments that were destroyed, such as grocery stores, hotels, and even a medical practice. This targeted destruction has severely impacted the economic and social fabric of the affected communities.
The memorandum also delves into the historical context of the CHTs, a region traditionally inhabited by indigenous peoples. The demographic landscape of this area has been significantly altered since the 1970s, following government policies that encouraged the settlement of illegal plain settlers, primarily from the Muslim community. These settlers now comprise over 50 per cent of the region’s population, effectively marginalising the indigenous tribes, including the Chakmas, from their own lands.
Chakma leaders contend that this systematic alteration of demographics and the accompanying violence are part of a larger agenda to suppress the hill people’s political and cultural rights. They argue that the ongoing violence is not merely a consequence of local tensions but a deliberate strategy to eradicate the presence of indigenous tribes in the CHTs.
In their memorandum, the Chakma representatives have made several urgent demands, imploring PM Modi to take immediate action. They urge the Prime Minister to refrain from any diplomatic dialogue or meetings with the caretaker government of Bangladesh, led by Prof. Mohammed Yunus, until there are assurances regarding the safety and rights of the hill tribes. They emphasise that the Indian government must take a stand against these atrocities and advocate for the rights of the indigenous peoples.
The representatives also highlighted the need for international intervention, suggesting that the Indian government could play a crucial role in rallying global attention to the plight of the Chakma and other indigenous communities in Bangladesh.
