Thousands of Chakma tribals, primarily Buddhists, staged massive protests in Tripura’s capital, Agartala, on Saturday to denounce ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Braving heavy rains, demonstrators organized rallies to draw attention to the escalating attacks on Buddhists, Hindus, and other minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
Led by various organizations, including the Tripura Chakma Students Association (TCSA) and youth wings, the protesters demanded immediate intervention from the Bangladesh government. The demonstrations were followed by the submission of memoranda to the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, calling for urgent action to halt the atrocities. Separately, activists from the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) held similar protests.
Amitav Chakma, a prominent leader of the Chakma community, stated that since last month, a series of violent incidents targeting minorities had left at least 79 people dead, mostly from the Chakma community. “Innocent people have been attacked, and properties, including houses and shops, have been set ablaze. The Bangladesh government has yet to take effective measures to stop these brutal acts,” he said.
The protesters urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in and pressure Bangladesh to protect its minorities. TCSA Vice-President Dharma Chandra Chakma accused majority Muslim groups in Bangladesh of launching organized attacks aimed at driving Buddhists, Hindus, and other minorities from their homes and communities. “The situation is worsening day by day, and urgent intervention is required to stop the violence,” Dharma Chandra Chakma told reporters.
The leaders also demanded the full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, signed in 1997, which was intended to bring an end to the armed insurgency by the Shanti Bahini, a militant group representing the indigenous peoples of the CHT. However, the Chakma leaders argue that the peace accord has yet to be fully implemented, leaving minorities vulnerable.
Reports from September 19 indicate that at least nine tribal people were shot dead in Khagrachari, with dozens more injured. Additionally, over 100 houses and shops were burned in Dighinala Sadar, allegedly in attacks carried out by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers.
The protesters called on India to downgrade diplomatic relations with Bangladesh until the safety of minority communities in the CHT is ensured.
