Desk Report, CHT News
Saturday, April 4, 2026
A monthly report titled “Monitoring”, published by the
Human Rights Monitoring Cell of United People's Democratic Front, outlines a
troubling picture of human rights conditions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
during March 2026. Released on April 2, the report documents a range of alleged
violations involving state security forces, the Parbatya Chattagram Jana
Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu), and settler groups, along with incidents of
violence against women.
Allegations Against State Forces:
According to the report, at least eight individuals,
including a village head (karbari) and a UPDF organizer, were detained or
arrested during the month. While seven were released after alleged harassment,
UPDF organizer Pradip Chakma was sent to jail custody. He was reportedly
arrested by members of Rapid Action Battalion from the Agrabad area of
Chattogram while undergoing medical treatment.
The report also cites one incident of physical abuse
and two cases of what it describes as harassing house searches targeting
villagers.
A particularly serious allegation claims that the
Bangladesh Army supplied ammunition to the JSS-Santu faction to sustain ongoing
intra-group conflict in the region. The report alleges that such ammunition was
handed over to JSS members stationed in Panchhari.
During March, at least seven military operations were
conducted across areas of Khagrachari and Rangamati. Troops reportedly set up
positions in various locations, including schools, and carried out patrols.
Civilians were subjected to what the report describes as intrusive questioning.
In another incident, elected representatives and
community elders from Sajek allegedly faced discourteous treatment from an army
official of the Baghaichhari zone in Rangamati. There are also accusations that
army personnel obstructed the observance of Bangladesh’s 55th Independence Day
at Sajek College.
Allegations Against JSS (Santu Faction):
The report attributes multiple incidents of violence
to the JSS-Santu faction, including allegations of killing, abduction, and
abuse.
In March, armed members of the group allegedly shot
and killed a UPDF member named Apon Tripura in Panchhari and injured a woman
named Shanta Tripura. Additional allegations include the assault of two
individuals, including a woman, in Dighinala and Longadu, and the seizure of
mobile phones from 19 villagers in the Putichhari area of Kudukchhari.
The report further claims that JSS-Santu members, with
alleged support from the army, maintained an armed presence and carried out
activities in areas such as Panchhari and Taindong in Matiranga, contributing
to fear among local residents. Similar allegations of armed activity were
reported in Dhanpada (Dighinala) and Kattali (Longadu).
Land Disputes and Settler Involvement:
The report alleges that settler Bengali groups, resettled in the region for political purposes, continue efforts to take control of indigenous land, often with the backing of state forces.
On March 18, in Joysen Para under Maischhari Union in
Mahalchhari upazila of Khagrachari, a hill resident was reportedly obstructed
by settlers from building a house on land under his possession. The situation
escalated into tension between indigenous residents and settlers. Although army
personnel arrived at the scene, indigenous residents allege that they sided
with the settlers. Police later intervened to bring the situation under
control. The report notes that similar attempts to seize the land had occurred
the previous year.
In a separate development, reports emerged of plans to
rehabilitate more than 300 settler families on land traditionally occupied by
indigenous communities in Bhetor-Karalyachhari under Kayangghat Union in the
same upazila. The issue drew widespread reaction on social media. On March 30,
a group of settlers, accompanied by army personnel, reportedly entered the
disputed land. While no resettlement has yet taken place, local residents
expressed concern that it may occur in the future.
Violence Against Women:
The report documents four incidents of violence
against indigenous women during March.
In Manikchhari, the bloodied body of a woman was
recovered from her kitchen, while in Bandarban, police recovered the bodies of
a mother and daughter from a deep hill gorge. No arrests have been reported in
connection with these cases.
In Lakshmichhari, a woman was reportedly abducted.
Police are said to have detained two suspects, one indigenous and one Bengali.
In another case in Manikchhari, a woman survived an
attempted rape. The accused, identified as Md. Mizan (34), was reportedly
detained by locals and handed over to a BNP leader. It remains unclear whether
a formal case has been filed with the police.
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