Several indigenous groups in Tripura have launched peaceful protests demanding the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts. These protests, driven by concerns over escalating violence against indigenous people and other minorities in the region, saw the participation of student organizations and community leaders. A significant portion of the protest took place in front of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner’s office in Agartala, where demonstrators called for immediate intervention and protection for those at risk.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts, a region known for its indigenous population, has been the scene of increasing violence in recent years. Indigenous people have been facing attacks, harassment, and displacement from their ancestral lands. The protesters in Tripura expressed deep concern over these incidents, stressing that the international community must step in to ensure the safety and rights of minority communities in Bangladesh. Protesters carried banners and placards, calling for peace and justice, and demanding that the government of Bangladesh take concrete steps to protect vulnerable communities from further harm.
One of the key voices during the protest was the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), a political group that represents the interests of indigenous communities in the state. Leaders from the IPFT said that the ongoing violence in Chittagong is not just an issue for Bangladesh but a matter of concern for all indigenous people across the region. They highlighted the historical and cultural ties between the indigenous people of Tripura and the tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, emphasizing the need for solidarity and support during these difficult times.
Students and youth organizations played an active role in the protests, organizing rallies and raising awareness about the plight of minorities in Chittagong. Several students spoke out during the demonstration, expressing frustration over the silence of international bodies regarding the situation in Bangladesh. They called for stronger diplomatic pressure from India and other neighboring countries to ensure that the rights and safety of minority communities are protected. The youth groups also stressed the importance of maintaining regional stability, pointing out that violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts could have broader implications for the region.
The demonstrators marched through the streets of Agartala, making their way to the Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner’s office, where they held a sit-in protest. There, leaders from various indigenous organizations submitted a memorandum demanding immediate action from the Bangladeshi authorities. The memorandum urged the government of Bangladesh to launch a thorough investigation into the recent attacks on minority communities and take steps to ensure the safety of indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They also requested that the Bangladesh government implement measures to prevent further violence and displacement.
During the protest, speakers condemned the ongoing land-grabbing activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which they claim are being carried out by non-indigenous settlers with the support of local authorities. They argued that the government of Bangladesh has failed to protect the indigenous people from these encroachments and has done little to address the root causes of the conflict. Many protesters called for the implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, which was designed to bring an end to the violence in the region and provide autonomy to indigenous communities. However, they pointed out that key provisions of the agreement have yet to be fully implemented, leading to continued unrest.
Several human rights organizations in Tripura have also expressed solidarity with the indigenous protesters. They have called on the Indian government to raise the issue at the diplomatic level and urge Bangladesh to take meaningful steps to protect minority communities. They noted that the situation in Chittagong is not only a human rights issue but also a security concern for the entire region.
As the protest concluded, organizers pledged to continue their efforts to raise awareness about the violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and advocate for the rights of indigenous people in the region. They stressed the importance of maintaining peaceful demonstrations while working towards a long-term solution that ensures the safety, dignity, and autonomy of minority communities in Bangladesh. The protesters made it clear that they will not back down until concrete action is taken to protect the vulnerable populations in Chittagong.