The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has called on international election observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth and Japan to intervene with the Bangladesh government over alleged death threats issued to indigenous Buddhist candidates contesting the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
According to the rights body, two independent Buddhist candidates — Pahel Chakma from the Rangamati constituency and Dharma Jyoti Chakma from the Khagrachari constituency — along with key members of their campaign teams, have received death threats from the Parbatto Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), which RRAG described as a government-sponsored armed group led by Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, also known as Santu Larma.
RRAG further alleged that since January 29, around 75 armed PCJSS cadres have been deployed in the Dudukchara area under Logang Union in Khagrachari district, with the backing of the Bangladesh Army, to intimidate indigenous voters and force them to support candidates of national political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party.
The rights group said Pahel Chakma filed a General Diary (GD) entry with the police on January 17, but claimed that police have so far refused to register a formal First Information Report (FIR), heightening security concerns. It also alleged that on January 20, a forged withdrawal letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district on behalf of Dharma Jyoti Chakma, but no action was taken against those responsible for the alleged forgery. RRAG said both candidates have continued to receive death threats after refusing to withdraw from the race.
RRAG director Suhas Chakma said the PCJSS continues to function as an armed group despite formally surrendering under the 1997 CHT Accord. He alleged that Santu Larma has served as chairman of the CHT Regional Council for 28 years without elections and continues to enjoy the status and facilities of a state minister while retaining an armed wing.
Citing past cases, Chakma said 13 PCJSS cadres were arrested in Agartala, Tripura, on June 4, 2025, and referred to a September 5, 2024, judgement of the Gauhati High Court in the National Investigation Agency versus Rohmingliana case, which reportedly described PCJSS as a terrorist organisation while adjudicating the seizure of arms and ammunition allegedly belonging to the group.
“Although the PCJSS is not contesting the elections, it has allegedly been issuing death threats to independent candidates from indigenous communities to ensure the victory of national political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party. This, he said, is part of a broader understanding among national political parties and the Bangladesh Army to deny indigenous peoples free and fair elections,” he stated.
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The RRAG urged election observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth and Japan to deploy election monitors in Khagrachari and Rangamati districts, ensure the safety of the two independent candidates and other contestants, intervene with Bangladeshi authorities against the alleged threats, and press for PCJSS cadres to be confined to government barracks to prevent further intimidation.
