Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma takes oath as CEM of Chakma ADC

Kamalanagar, 4 January 2025: Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma was sworn in today as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the 11th Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in a ceremony held at Kamalanagar. Pu Zoramsiama Hmar, MCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Lawngtlai, administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, MLA, 36-Tuichawng Constituency; Puhpa K. Hrahmo, MLA, 40-Palak Constituency; Puhpa M. Laikaw, Chief Executive Member, MADC; Puhpa N. Viakhu, Chairman, MADC; Dg. Mohan Chakma, Chairman, CADC; Shri Devesh Kumar, Prabhari of Mizoram BJP; MDCs, and other senior officials of CADC.

In his maiden speech as the CEM, Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma described the event as an auspicious beginning of a new Executive Committee under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in CADC. He called upon all political parties, NGOs, and intellectuals of the area to lend their support to his Executive Committee for the smooth running and progress of administration.

He announced the names of Dg. Kalasoga Chakma, Dg. Supan Chakma, Dg. Montu Chakma, Dg. Amit Bayan Chakma, and Dg. Ananta Bikash Chakma as members in his Executive Committee. He stated further that the allocation of other portfolios in the Executive Committee would be announced in due course. In conclusion, he expressed optimism that with the support of Shri Devesh Kumar, BJP Prabhari, Mizoram, and Dg. Nirupam Chakma, Member, NCST, CADC would receive assistance from the central government for its development.

Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma’s appointment as CEM followed a political reshuffle necessitated by a no-confidence motion against the former CEM, Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, during the first sitting of the Winter Session on 11th December 2024, which led to the dissolution of the Executive Committee. Subsequently, on 28th January, 2025, the Hon’ble Governor of Mizoram appointed Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma as the Chief Executive Member of CADC.

Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma was elected as an MDC from the 4-Bajeisora Constituency during the 2023 CADC general elections on a BJP ticket. He later joined the Mizo National Front (MNF). In the previous Executive Committee, he held the posts of Adviser to CEM and subsequently, the post of Vice-Chairman of Planning & Development Board, CADC. Prior to his entry in politics, he was actively engaged in social work, through his involvement in Guwahati Chakma Students’ Union (GCSU) and the Central Young Chakma Association (CYCA).

Situation in Bangladesh's CHT extremely dire and alarming: Santu Larma

Rangamati, 26 January 2025: Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council and President of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), stated that the situation in the CHT is deeply abnormal and alarming. He warned that the 14 indigenous communities of the region are on the verge of extinction. The Jumma people of the CHT are living with a sense of insecurity and an uncertain future.

On Saturday (January 25), Santu Larma made these remarks as the chief guest at a seminar and discussion meeting in Rangamati, addressing the overall situation of the indigenous communities in the CHT and the role of society. The event was organized by the CHT Chapter of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum at the Ashika Hall Room in Rangamati’s New Market area.

Santu Larma highlighted an incident involving graffiti, describing it as an unwanted occurrence that showcased the marginalization of Bangladesh’s 51 indigenous ethnic groups. The graffiti initially included the words Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and Indigenous Peoples, but the section mentioning “Indigenous” was torn off, symbolizing exclusion.

He further added, “Extremists do not want to recognise that Bangladesh is a pluralistic country. The 14 indigenous communities in the CHT are not only marginalized but are losing their very existence. The ruling class disrespects indigenous communities by labeling them as ‘tribals’ or ‘small ethnic groups’ instead of recognizing their names, such as Chakma, Marma, Khiyang, or Tripura. These terms carry a sense of insult and neglect.”

He also pointed out that the ruling class fears the word “indigenous.” If the Bangladesh government acknowledges the term as per United Nations recommendations, it would have to ratify international treaty that uphold indigenous rights. He explained that indigenous peoples are defined by their distinct characteristics, which are widely recognized and documented.

The seminar was chaired by Prakriti Ranjan Chakma, President of the CHT chapter of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum. Other speakers included KS Mong Marma, a member of the Regional Council; Aungcha Mong Marma, Organizational Secretary of the Hill Tracts Indigenous Forum; Madhu Mongol Chakma, Deputy Organizational Secretary; writer Shishir Chakma; Thowaiaung Marma, President of the CHT Headman Network; Lelung Khumi, Secretary for Student and Youth Affairs of the Hill Tracts Indigenous Forum; lawyer Dinonath Tanchangya; cultural personality Manoj Bahadur Gurkha; and Forum members Namita Chakma and General Secretary Intumoni Talukder.

The speakers criticized the ruling Awami League government for failing to implement the CHT peace accord during its 15 years of power. Instead, the government has harassed the PCJSS with false cases, they alleged.

Bangladesh: CHT Accord Implementation Committee reconstituted

File photo of the signing of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord of 1997.

Dhaka, 20 January, 2025: The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee has been reconstituted in accordance with Section 3 of Part ‘A’ of the CHT Accord signed in 1997. This committee has been reconstituted through a gazette notification signed by Mohammad Nahid Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of CHT Affairs, on 12 January 2025.

Md. Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs advisor of the Interim Government, has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The other two ex-officio members of the three-member Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee are Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, president of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), and Sudatta Chakma, chairman of the Task Force on the Rehabilitation of India-returnee Tribal Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.

It is to be noted that the scope of work of the CHT Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee are– To monitor and supervise the implementation process of the CHT Accord; To coordinate the activities of all ministries and departments including all subordinate government, semi-government, autonomous organizations and authorities related to the implementation process of this Accord, and to provide necessary advice/instructions; To take necessary measures to resolve problems related to the implementation of this Accord and to provide recommendations to the government if necessary; To supervise activities related to the repatriation and rehabilitation of refugees; To supervise activities related to the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

This gazette notification states that all ministries/departments will comply with the decisions and instructions of the Accord Implementation Committee and will take necessary measures accordingly.

Bangladesh: Adivasi students protesting against removal of the word ‘Adivasi’ from texbooks attacked by Islamic students group, several injured

The Adivasi students belonging to Songkhubda Adivasi Chhatra Janata group had organised a protest outside the NCTB to oppose the removal of the word 'Adivasi' from the back cover of the 9th and 10th grade Bangla Grammar and Composition Textbook

Dhaka, 15 Jan, 2025: Several students belonging to the Adivasi community were brutally attacked by members of a group of Bengali Muslims called Students for Sovereignty in Motijheel area of Dhaka in Bangladesh on Wednesday. According to reports, the students from the minority Adivasi community were protesting in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) against the removal of graffiti with the word ‘Adivasi’ in school textbooks. On the other hand, the other group was supporting the removal.

As per reports, the Adivasi students belonging to Songkhubda Adivasi Chhatra Janata group had organised a protest outside the NCTB to oppose the removal of the word ‘Adivasi’ from the back cover of the 9th and 10th grade Bangla Grammar and Composition Textbook on January. The word Adivasi was used on the back cover of the textbook with a picture depicting a tree with five leaves, each inscribed with a term for a religious or ethnic community in Bangladesh including Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Adivasi. Next to the picture was a message that read, ‘Tearing leaves is prohibited’.

The picture was removed from the online version of the book after the Islamic Chhatra Shibir students from the ‘Students for Sovereignty’ group surrounded the NCTB premises on January 12.

The Adivasi students under the banner ‘Agitated Adivasi Students’ gathered near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University on Wednesday morning, from where they marched towards the NCTB office to hold a protest. However, the members of ‘Students for Sovereignty’ reached the NCTB office in advance to stop the protesters. Anticipating trouble, the police arrived, and when the Adivasi group arrived, the cops tried to keep the two groups separated.

But a clash broke out between them. Police tried to move the two groups farther from each other. But eventually, the ‘Students for Sovereignty’ group overpowered the police, and attacked the Adivasi students. The attackers were armed with sticks. Several Adivasi students sustained serious injuries during the attack. Subsequently, the Adivasi students were reportedly chased away by the other group. ‘Students for Sovereignty’ group remained in front of the office, armed with sticks.

“The Adivasi protestors have left the area after being chased off by the students. Now the situation has returned to normal. The students are staying on one side of the road”, said Motijheel Inspector Mohainmenul Islam.

According to reports, 11 students have been injured in the attacks. Two students sustained grievous injuries and were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Rupaya Shresta Tacnchongya, Ishaba Renyoung Mro, Dhanajetra, Juwel Mark, Shaili, and Tani Charing are among the injured students. The attackers have reportedly been identified as Mohammed Abu Sadiq Qayem, President of the Islamic Chhatra Shibir in Dhaka University, S M Farhad, Secretary and Mohammed Yakub Majumdar, Joint Convenor of the Students for Sovereignty.

Muhammad Ziaul Haque Zia , Convenor of the Students for Sovereignty, described the word ‘Adivasi’ as seditious. “Our demands have only been partially met by removing the graffiti featuring an imagery of united India with the seditious term ‘Adivasi’ from the cover of the textbook. But we also demanded the removal of Rakhal Raha alias Sajjad, who was on the revision committee, and the formation of an investigation committee to identify those involved in this”, he told bdnews24.

Tejang Chakma, Deputy Director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) said that the group would seek the UN intervention in the matter. “The RRAG shall take up the issue with the United Nations, diplomatic community and the interim government to arrest the culprits. The real face of Dr Mohammad Yunus is coming out and Adivasi students cannot even protest in capital Dhaka with safety”, said Chakma.