The CHT Monitor
A Monthly Report by Humanity Protection Forum on Human Rights Situation
in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh
Reports on Human Rights Situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
For the month of
February 2025
Issued on: March 03, 2025
SUMMARY
Arrest and detention: In February, three persons including a schoolboy were detained or arrested, and a woman activist was subjected to an attempted arrest in Ramgarh. While the schoolboy was released a few hours after his detention, the other two were sent to jail after filing framed up charges against them.
Raids and searches etc: Military patrol, raids and searches, harassment and interrogation continued throughout the month under review. Stealing money during house searches was common. In most cases, the raiding parties were accompanied by members of the military-backed New Masked Force vigilante group.
Sexual violence: Two cases of rape or attempted rape were reported in February, one in Sajek and one in Ramgarh.
Arson: The settlers burnt down two houses belonging to Jummas in Naniachar and Ramgarh.
Vigilante violence: The military-backed New Masked Force vigilante group kidnapped 25 Bengali Muslim labourers and one Jumma in two separate incidents. The labourers were released after payment of a hefty ransom, while the Jumma, an autorickshaw driver, was released after physical torture. Extortion by the vigilante group continued under protection of the Bangladesh Army personnel in different places in the CHT.
Land grabbing: One case of land grab attempt was reported from Ramgarh.
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- ARREST AND DETENTION
Seventh grade student detained in Sajek
On 1 February, at 2:30 p.m., a group of 67 soldiers of the Bangladesh Army from Laxmichari camp under Sajek Union of Rangamati district went to South Melachara Government Primary School in Gangaram and detained Bhada Muni Chakma, a seventh grader of the same school.
Bhada Muni Chakma is a son of Din Mohan Chakma from the village of South Melachara. The army set him free only after his mother visited the army and demanded his release in the evening.
One arrested in Panchari
On 7 February, the army arrested Upendra Tripura, 35, son of late Birendra Tripura from the village of Borkona-para under Latiban Union of Panchari Upazila, Khagrachari district.
A band of Bangladesh Army soldiers from Panchari zone raided his house in the small hours of 7 February and arrested him. Two members of the New Masked Force vigilante group, Niti Dutta Chakma and Bikash Tripura, accompanied the soldiers during the raid.
Before handing Upendra Tripura over to the Panchari Police station, the army tortured him badly, placed arms and ammunition in his hands and filed false cases against him.
Army attempts to arrest woman activist
On 15 February, a group of soldiers from the Bangladesh Army went to Morakoilya village in Potachara Union of Ramgarh Upazila, Khagrachari district and attempted to arrest Gulomoni Chakma, president of the Ramgarh Upazila branch of the Parbottyo Chattagram Nari Sangha (Chittagong Hill Tracts Women Association).
However, the attempt failed when the local people resisted.
The army men detained her several hours, harassed her in the name of interrogation and checked her mobile phone.
Ms Chakma is a rights activist, always vocal against human rights violations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
One arrested for resisting land grab in Lama
On 22 February, a group of plainclothes personnel arrested Ringrong Mro, a leader of an anti-land grabbing movement, from a village shop in Rengyen Mro Para in Lama Upazila, Bandarban district.
A video footage showed Ringrong Mro resisting arrest as the plainclothes personnel were trying to handcuff him.
The manner in which Mr. Mro was arrested goes against the direction of the interim government of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus. On 26 November 2024, Home Affairs and Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) had said that no arrests should be made by individuals in plain clothes.
(https://www.banglanews24.com/english/national/news/bd/161995.details)
After the arrest, Ringrang Mro was denied bail and sent to Bandarban district jail. He was implicated in as many as half a dozen framed up cases, filed by the Lama Rubber Industries Ltd. which has been waging a violent campaign to grab 400 acres of communal land belonging to the indigenous Mro and Tripura communities in Soroi union of Lama Upazila.
- SEARCHES AND OTHER MILITARY ACTIVITIES
Five houses searched in Sindukchari
On 13 February, at 2:30 PM, the Bangladesh Army searched five houses in two villages namely Goriachari and Dhurung-para under Sindukchari Union, Guimara Upazila, Khagrachari district.
A group of Bangladesh Army soldiers from Sindukchari zone led by its commander, Lt. Col. Ismail Shams Azizi, conducted the searches, during which a motorbike driver, Nila Aung Marma, was also harassed in Dhurung-para.
The houses searched belong to Chailha Marma, 30, son of late Hla Prusai Marma of village Goriachari; Ramrachai Marma, 40, son of late Amra Marma of village Dhurung-para; Mrayo Marma son of late Amra Marma (Dhurung-para); Thui Hla Marma, 50, son of late Akyo Marma (Dhurung-para); and Thui Aungyo Marma son of late Akyo Marma (Dhurung-para).
No incriminating materials were found during the searches.
Patrol activities and searches in Maischari and Pokkhimuro
In the small hours of 13 February (at 3AM), a large contingent of the Bangladesh Army carried out patrol activities at Painda-para under Maischari Union in Mahalchari Upazila and at Pokkhimuro in Guimara Upazila, Khagrachari district, creating fear and panic among the villagers.
Two members of the New Masked Force vigilante group accompanied the army. They have been identified as Kolen Chakma and Koron Chakma.
The soldiers also searched several houses and harassed the residents in Painda-para, according to villagers.
Forest set on fire by BD Army in Bandukbhanga
On 25 February, a group of soldiers of the Bangladesh Army set fire to the forests in Jamachuk hill under Bandukbhnaga Union of Rangamati district, causing damage to the local environment.
The fire incident happened during a military operation led by Tanvir Ahmed Sadi, (PSC) commander of Naniachar zone. Over one hundred soldiers took part in the operation which had begun two days earlier, on 23 February.
The operation, carried out after an armed gang affiliated to a political faction feigned gunfights with the UPDF, was believed to be part of a conspiracy to set up an army base camp on the Marichuk hill, near Jamachuk where the fire was ignited.
The army first attempted to set up the camp in January, but it came to naught after the local villagers launched a campaign against the plan. At that time, the army had stayed over a month on the Marichuk hill, causing disruption to the normal life of the villagers.
Three houses searched in Bandukbhanga
On 27 February, at one o’ clock, over one hundred soldiers of the Bangladesh Army from Naniachar zone went to Bamey Tripura-chara village in Bandukbhanga Union of Rangamati district by engine-propelled country boats and searched three houses for “terrorists”.
No one was there in the houses at that time, and the soldiers broke in to the houses to carry out the search.
Neither any terrorist nor any incriminating materials was found during the searches, when the army men turned the houses upside down and looted taka 10,820 from the house of Krishna Jyoti Chakma, 35, son of Chandra Sen Chakma.
Mr. Krishna said he had earned the money by selling tamarind a few days ago.
The other two houses searched by the army belong to Jatan Chakma, 55, son of late Bharat Chandra Chakma and Padma Ranjan Chakma, 50, son of Bijoy Singha Chakma.
Jatan Chakma is a member of the para-military Village Police.
Military operation in Kaokhali
On 16 February, a group of 120 soldiers from the Bengal 60 of the Bangladesh Army carried out operations in several villages in Kaokhali Upazila of Rangamati district.
The soldiers set up their temporary base at Panchari High School, causing disruption to classes, and from there they patrolled several villages including Nawbhanga, Nakshachari, Devachari, Shuknachari and Hazachari.
Army conducts patrol in Hachukpara
On 17 February, at 11 a.m., a band of 35 Bangladesh Army soldiers from Batnatoli camp in Manikchari conducted a patrol through Hachukpara village in Patachara Union of Ramgarh Upazila, Khagrachari district.
During the patrolling operation, the soldiers harassed people who were hanging out at a village shop owned by Nitanta Tripura, 28.
Army, BGB activities in Ramgarh
On 25 February, a group of 25 soldiers from Batnatoli army camp carried out a patrol in Gujapara in Ramgarh Upazila, Khagrachari district, creating fear among the villagers.
The same day 15 – 20 personnel from the Border Guard Bangladesh went to Sri Sri Kali Mondir, a Hindu temple, in North Gujapara and harassed the devotees in the name of interrogation.
- SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Rape attempt by army commander
On 5 February, a 28-year-old physically challenged Chakma woman was reportedly subjected to an attempted rape by Warrant Officer (Subedar) Md. Awal, commander of Laxmichari army camp in Sajek of Rangamati district.
The incident happened at 10 p.m. when the commander raided their house in the village of Laxmichari Mukh. He grabbed and pulled at her upper garment, and when she wanted to switch on the light, the commander asked her not to do so and threatened her with beating.
He also asked about her husband, Suresh Chakma, 35, who was sick. Narrating the incident, he said: ‘The soldiers led by Subedar Awal raided my house. We were sleeping then. When my wife woke up and went outside, Awal tried to rape her. He tore her upper garment.
‘Then I shouted from inside my house. Awal asked me to come out, and when I went to him, he hit me with a stick, which he was carrying with him, and said, “You are not permitted to live here. We will tear your house down, and you must leave from here.”’
Attempted rape of a Jumma woman in Ramgarh
On the night of 12 February, a group of Bengali Muslim settlers set fire to the house of Lalit Chakma, 65, son of late Kala Chakma in the village of Nangel-para under Ward No. 5 in Patachara Union in Ramgarh Upazila, Khagrachari district.
The settlers, numbering 13-14, led by Md. Kalam Sawodagor, 45 and Shahadat Hossain, 35, son of Omar Gani also tried to rape his wife when she came out of the house to try to put out the fire.
However, she struggled hard and saved herself from being raped. The settlers are residents of Khagrabil in Ramgarh.
They fled the scene when the neighbours came shouting to their rescue.
- ARSON
Jumma house set on fire by settlers
On 12 February, a group of Bengali Muslim settlers set fire to the house of Lalit Chakma, 65, son of late Kala Chakma in Patachara Union, Ramgarh Upazila, Khagrachari district. (See preceding news).
The next day, at 10 A.M., a team of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) visited the burnt house of Lalit Chakma and assured him of justice. But till the writing of this report, no action has been taken to bring the attackers to justice.
Jumma house burnt down by suspected settlers
On 17 February, at about 6 a.m., suspected settlers burnt down a house in Bogachari Koilash Para village under Ward No. 1 of Burighat Union in Naniachar Upazila, Rangamati district while the family members living in the house were either away in the field for work or in classes at school.
The house belonged to one Montu Chakma, 37, the father of two sons and a daughter. His father’s name is Raj Chandra Chakma.
All their belongings, including furnisher, clothes, school text books, personal documents and taka 130,000 which they earned by selling a cow, were burnt to ashes.
Montu Chakma alleged that before the arson attack, some Bengali Muslim settlers had been threatening him to leave his homestead land.
According to him, he is a witness to a land related case involving his uncle, pending in a court. Two days before the attack, Montu Chakma had gone to the court to testify in the case, and after he had returned from the court, the settlers had threatened “to teach him a lesson” for testifying to the court.
The settlers who threatened him has been identified as Md. Jahangir Sheikh, 42, son of Moslim Sheikh of village Bogachari, Ward No. 1 of Burighat Union; his brother Alim Sheikh, 35; Babul Akter, 60, son of unknown and Sobuj, 50, son of unknown.
- VIGILANTE VIOLENCE
Extortion under nose of Bangladesh Army
On 20 February, six armed vigilantes went to Ghilachari bazar from Naniachar in Rangamati district crossing Ghilachari army camp and extorted money from traders, businessmen and owners of motor vehicles.
The Ghilachari camp of the Bangladesh Army is barely 100 yards from the bazar, and yet the army took no action against the vigilantes.
The day was market day and, usually the army personnel patrol the bazar each market day. But on that day, they were not seen in the bazar.
Suspected vigilantes kidnap 25 labourers, released after payment of ransom
On 16 February, suspected members of the New Masked Force vigilante group kidnapped 25 labourers from Murung-jhiri in Fashiakhali in Lama Upazila of Bandarban district. However, they were released after payment of a handsome ransom.
(https://ekhon.tv/district/67b42ef8febc085798481de8)
Of those kidnapped, twenty have been identified. They are Md. Farooq, 26; Md. Siddique, 40; Md. Abdul Khalek; 20; Abdul Majed, 17; Monirul Islam, 30; Ziaur Rahman, 45; Md. Mobarak, 25; Md. Haroon, 30; Ramiz Uddin, 32; Sayed Noor, 28; Md. Kaiser, 38; Monir Hossain, 35; Md. Imran, 17; Md. Monjurul, 30; Absar Ali, 25; Khairul Amin, 30; Abu Bakkar, 28; Abdur Razzak, 33, Ayub Ali, 26 and Md. Mobin, 25.
They work for a tea plantation in Lama. Some security forces personnel and members of an intelligence agency were reportedly complicit in the kidnapping.
The vigilantes are patronized by the Bangladesh Army.
A “Tomtom” driver tortured by vigilantes
On 3 February, the military-backed New Masked Force vigilantes tortured Chandra Chakma, 45, a “Tomtom” autorickshaw driver, in Mahalchari, Khagrachari district for refusing to pay money to them.
At 2 p.m., Chandra Chakma, son of late Alonga Chakma, was having lunch at a restaurant in Chobbish Mile when the vigilantes kidnapped him at gun point. They took him to Bridge-para, a den of the vigilantes, and beat him severely.
He was released at 5 p.m. after the elders protested his abduction.
- LAND GRABBING
Settlers attempt to grab land in Gomti
On 13 February, a group of Bengali Muslim settlers led by Md. Jasim, a local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), made an attempt to grab land belonging to two Jumma villagers in Gomati Union of Matiranga Upazila, Khagrachari district.
The settlers have been trying to grab the land belonging to Lal Bhushan Tripura, 62, and Boren Tripura, 66, residents of Keoapara in Gomti.
In January, a district court, which adjudicated the case, judged in favour of the two Jummas. Moreover, in an official arbitration the local Upazila administration also decided that the land in questions belong to them.
And yet, Jasim, on 13 February, prevented the two Jummas from cutting trees in their own land, prompting the elders from both the Jumma and settler communities to sit for arbitration.
On 16 February, they held an arbitration meeting about this case at Gomti bazar, but, to the disappointment of the elders, Jasim and his supporters left halfway through the meeting.
