The Chakma community in India has taken a bold step by urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to downgrade diplomatic ties with Bangladesh. This request comes in response to the ongoing violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs), where indigenous hill peoples, including the Chakmas, have faced a series of brutal attacks. The community representatives have expressed grave concern over the actions of the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers, which they claim have intensified since September 19. They believe the Indian government must intervene by sending a strong diplomatic signal to protect the lives and property of these vulnerable populations.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chakma representatives outlined the urgency of the situation in the CHTs. The region, home to various indigenous groups including Chakmas, has long been a site of tension due to its unique ethnic and cultural composition. According to the Chakma community, the indigenous people in the area have been systematically oppressed, and the recent escalation of violence has only worsened their plight. The letter specifically called attention to the involvement of the Bangladesh Army, accusing them of working in tandem with illegal settlers from the plains to displace and terrorize the hill peoples. The Chakma leaders urged India to use its diplomatic influence to pressure Bangladesh into halting these attacks and ensuring the safety of the indigenous communities.
The Chakma representatives emphasized the importance of immediate action, citing the ongoing nature of the violence. They claim that despite repeated appeals to the Bangladesh government, little has been done to address the situation, leaving the indigenous peoples in a state of constant fear. The community leaders stressed that downgrading diplomatic ties with Bangladesh could force the neighboring country to reconsider its approach toward the CHTs and the indigenous groups living there. According to the Chakma leaders, such a move by India would not only send a powerful message but could also lead to international attention and pressure on Bangladesh to act more responsibly.
This appeal from the Chakma community highlights the deep historical and cultural ties between the Chakmas in India and those in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Many Chakmas living in India have family and ancestral connections to the region, and the violence in the CHTs has deeply impacted the diaspora. The representatives expressed their anguish over the continued suffering of their relatives and fellow community members in Bangladesh. They pointed out that while India and Bangladesh have enjoyed a generally cooperative relationship, the ongoing violence in the CHTs cannot be ignored. They argued that the Indian government has a moral responsibility to speak up for the rights of indigenous peoples and to hold Bangladesh accountable for the actions of its military and settlers.
The Chakmas also underscored the broader human rights implications of the violence in the CHTs. They warned that the international community must not overlook the systemic oppression of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh. The Chakma leaders reminded Prime Minister Modi that India has a long-standing tradition of supporting human rights and the rights of minorities, both within its borders and beyond. They expressed hope that India would lead by example, using its diplomatic channels to push for justice and peace in the CHTs. The community representatives conveyed their confidence that a firm stance from India could help bring an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued the region for decades.
The letter also touched on the role of illegal settlers in the violence. According to the Chakma leaders, the settlers, mostly from the plains of Bangladesh, have been systematically encroaching on indigenous land in the CHTs. They claim that this settlement is not random but is part of a larger, government-backed plan to alter the demographic makeup of the region. The Chakma representatives allege that the Bangladesh Army has been complicit in this process, providing protection to the settlers while turning a blind eye to the harassment and displacement of the indigenous peoples. The Chakma leaders stressed that this combination of military involvement and illegal settlement is at the heart of the violence and that any solution must address both issues simultaneously.
The Chakma representatives expressed their hope that the Indian government would take their request seriously. They urged Prime Minister Modi to consider the plight of the Chakmas and other indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and to take meaningful action to protect their rights. The community leaders emphasized that diplomatic pressure from India could make a significant difference in bringing about peace and stability in the region. They called on the Indian government to stand with the indigenous peoples of the CHTs and to use its influence to stop the violence and oppression they are currently facing.
