Rangamati Correspondent, CHT News
Saturday, July 25, 2026
The Santu Larma faction of the Parbatya Chattagram
Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), frequently referred to as the Bangladesh Army’s
"B-Team", has ordered local residents to widen a dirt road connecting
Bhulomon to Chebeda Kijing in the Bandukbhanga union of Rangamati Sadar
Upazila, reportedly to ease the movement of its armed cadres.
On Friday, July 24, Navajyoti Chakma (also known as
Foreign), an armed commander of the Santu Group, issued the directive via phone
calls to the residents of Tripurachhara. He allegedly threatened that if the
villagers failed to comply, they would be barred from traveling to the
Rangamati Sadar market.
Speaking to CHT News on the condition of anonymity, an
elder from Tripurachhara village stated, "Foreign Babu told us that we
must clear and widen the road. He warned that if we don't, we will be blocked
from going to the Bonorupa market in Rangamati." The elder added that the
community is currently gripped by fear and anxiety.
Local residents expressed deep frustration, noting
that this is peak season for rice cultivation and orchard management. Between
farming, fishing, family responsibilities, and education, villagers say they
are completely occupied and simply do not have the time to perform forced labor
for the group's convenience.
The unpaved road stretching from Bhulomon in
Tripurachhara to Chebeda Kijing (Yamchuk road) is approximately 1.5 miles long.
Due to the rugged, hilly terrain, traversing it on foot takes nearly 45
minutes. Locals point out that the road is already quite wide for a dirt path,
leaving many puzzled as to why the Santu Group is demanding further expansion.
Furthermore, villagers emphasized that they are not servants of the JSS Santu
Group to be forced into manual labor.
Consequently, Commander Foreign's ultimatum has
sparked widespread resentment among the inhabitants of Tripurachhara.
Commenting on the situation, a political analyst
criticized the group’s outdated methods. "The world has advanced so much,
yet these groups remain stuck in a bygone era. The leaders and activists of the
Santu Group clearly lack a basic understanding of civil and fundamental rights.
They do not view the public as citizens or equals, nor do they treat them with
dignity."
The analyst further remarked, "Just as their top
leadership operates autocratically, the grassroots operatives act as petty
tyrants, dominating and dictating the lives of ordinary citizens. The public
can expect nothing positive from them."
Foreign Chakma, 42, has been a long-time member of the
PCJSS Santu Group’s armed wing. Originally from Kharikkhyong in the
Bandukbhanga union, he currently resides with his family in the Chakrapara area
of Rangamati district headquarters. His late father, Binod Bihari Chakma (also
known as Thudo Ada), was also previously associated with the PCJSS.
------