Chakma groups in India urge PM Modi to downgrade ties with Bangladesh

Agartala Representatives of Chakma organisations in India have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging to downgrade India’s diplomatic relations with Bangladesh until attacks on the indigenous hills people in Chittagong Hill Tracts - allegedly being carried out by Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers since September 19 - is halted.

The letter has been signed by prominent figures - Suhas Chakma, founder of the Chakma Development Foundation of India, Nirupam Chakma, former Mizoram minister and member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Rasik Mohan Chakma, MLA and Chief Executive Member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council in Mizoram, Bimal Chakma, Member of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, Prof. Goutam Chakma, head of the Political Science Department at Tripura University, Pritimoy Chakma of the Chakma Hajong Rights Alliance in Arunachal Pradesh, and Ashutosh Chakma of the All Assam Chakma Society.

The groups urged PM Modi to avoid any dialogue or meeting with Mohammed Yunus, chief caretaker of the interim Bangladesh government. 

“Attacks on indigenous peoples and their places of worship, including Buddhist temples, are ongoing in Rangamati in Chittagong Hill Tracts. There are growing fears of further violence against the hill tribes. Bangladesh media reported that, between August 5 and 20, following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, at least 1,090 houses, businesses, and places of worship belonging to minority communities were damaged," the letter read.

The Chakma representatives said the attacks on religious minorities and indigenous hill tribes require intervention from both the Indian government and the international community. 

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“In an effort to suppress the democratic aspirations of the hill tribes and drive them out of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, on September 19, over 100 houses and shops were set ablaze in Dighinala Sadar, Khagrachari district. Illegal settlers, with the support of the Bangladesh Army, attacked tribal homes and businesses. The army personnel actively prevented the Chakma and other hill tribes from defending their properties,” it added. 

It further stated that while full details are still emerging, it is known that homes, businesses, and offices have been destroyed. The Bangladesh Army reportedly fired indiscriminately at tribal villagers. As of the memorandum’s submission, four indigenous people had been confirmed dead, with five unidentified bodies found at Khagrachari hospital. Dozens more have been injured in the army’s gunfire and attacks by settlers in Khagrachari Sadar on the night of September 19.

“Given the organised nature of these attacks on religious minorities and indigenous hill tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers, we, the undersigned Chakma community representatives of India, urge Your Honour to refrain from holding any dialogue or meetings with Mohammed Yunus and to downgrade diplomatic ties with Bangladesh. These measures should remain in place until the lives and properties of hill tribes and religious minorities are protected, and the ongoing violence since September 19, 2024, is brought to an end," it stated.