New Delhi: The Global Association for Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (GAIPCHT) has strongly condemned the recent arrests and alleged torture of 11 indigenous hill people by the Bangladesh Army in two separate operations conducted on June 19 and 20.
The organisation announced plans to file complaints with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).
In the first operation on June 19, Bangladesh Army personnel, led by Lieutenant Colonel Md. Masud Rana of the Baghaichhari Zone, detained Suga Chakma (42) and Bindumoy Chakma (41) near the Marishya–Dighinala road in Baghaichari Upazila, Rangamati district.
They were accused of being members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), a claim GAIPCHT disputes.
A second operation on June 20, led by Major Md. Manjur Morshed of the Alikadam Zone, targeted Punarbason Chakma Para and Emmanuel Tripura Para in Lama Upazila, Bandarban district.
Nine individuals, including senior members of the Chakma and Tripura communities, were arrested under allegations of association with the Parbattya Chhattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS).
Those arrested include Ananda Mohan Chakma (72), Shantiram Chakma (33), Chatui Chakma (35), Shanti Ranjan Chakma (35), and others.
The Bangladesh Army claimed to have recovered homemade weapons, knives, and electronic equipment during the raids.
GAIPCHT, however, maintains that the arrests were orchestrated and the accused were falsely presented as armed group members.
“These arrests are baseless, and the detainees are innocent individuals targeted to advance the careers of the military personnel involved,” stated Suhas Chakma, Convenor of GAIPCHT.
He added that if any alleged connections to the PCJSS are proven, legal action should target its leadership, including CHTs Regional Council Chairman Santu Larma.
The organization also criticized the alleged torture of the detainees before their handover to the police.
GAIPCHT Country Representative Sanchay Chakma in Switzerland confirmed plans to escalate the issue to international platforms.
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“We will appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples and the DPKO to ensure the release of these individuals and to prevent the deployment of Lieutenant Colonel Masud Rana and Major Manjur Morshed to UN Peacekeeping Missions,” he said.
The incident has raised concerns over the treatment of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with GAIPCHT urging the international community to hold the Bangladesh Army accountable and safeguard the rights of the region’s indigenous people.
