Basel/New Delhi: The Global Association for Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (GAIPCHT) has strongly condemned an alleged firing incident on unarmed protestors during a demonstration held in Khagrachari, Bangladesh, on Tuesday morning.
According to the association, members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), an indigenous rights group, were holding a peaceful protest to mark the anniversary of the August 5 movement, calling for full autonomy and a permanent resolution to the long-standing issues in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
The demonstrators also criticised the current government led by Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Yunus, labelling it “neo-fascist” and urging a broader democratic movement across the country.
GAIPCHT claims that the protest turned violent when alleged government-backed armed groups opened fire on the unarmed protestors without provocation.
At least two people were reportedly injured in the firing, including a 53-year-old woman, Purnamukhi Chakma. The group alleged that the firing forced demonstrators to disperse in panic.
“The firing by Bangladesh Army personnel through hired armed groups shows that there is no change in the CHT, and Dr. Mohammad Yunus is hell-bent on denying democratic freedoms in the region,” said GAIPCHT spokesperson Sanchay Chakma in a statement.
There has been no official response from the Bangladesh government or local authorities regarding the incident at the time of filing this report.
