Four major Chakma student bodies from across India have jointly petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking urgent intervention against what they described as “cold-blooded killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and arson attacks” on the Indigenous Jumma peoples of Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
In a memorandum submitted on Monday, the All India Chakma Students Union (AICSU), Tripura Chakma Students Association (TCSA), Central Mizoram Chakma Students Union (CMCSU) and Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union (APCSU) alleged that the Bangladesh Army, aided by illegal Muslim settlers, has unleashed a fresh wave of violence in Khagrachari district.
They warned that the situation in the CHT has become “extremely volatile” and that indigenous communities remain at severe risk of further attacks.
The fresh cycle of violence, the memorandum stated, was triggered after the gang rape of a Class VIII Marma schoolgirl by settlers in Singhinala village on September 23.
Instead of apprehending the perpetrators, the Bangladesh Army allegedly cracked down on Jumma protestors demanding justice. Authorities also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in Khagrachari, effectively banning peaceful indigenous demonstrations while allowing settler groups to mobilize with army support.
On September 28, troops opened fire on indigenous protestors at Guimara, killing at least four people and injuring more than 50, the student bodies said. In the aftermath, settlers reportedly torched homes and shops in Ramsu Bazaar, Guimara and surrounding areas, leaving nothing but ashes. Several indigenous persons were also detained, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
“The Indian Chakma community strongly condemned the killing of four indigenous peoples, torture and attacks on their homes by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers in Chittagong Hill Tracts. We shall continue to raise the issue in India and at international level till justice is delivered,” said Drishyamuni Chakma, President of AICSU. He alleged that atrocities against minorities have worsened under the regime of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
The memorandum urged New Delhi to raise the issue of human rights violations with Dhaka, demand justice for the Marma minor, call for impartial investigations, ensure rehabilitation and compensation for victims, and press for the release of detainees. It also called on India to downgrade diplomatic ties with Bangladesh until accountability is ensured, raise the issue at the United Nations, and push for full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord.
The student leaders said they had enclosed photographic evidence of killings, torture and arson attacks with their submission to the Prime Minister.