Over 100 homes and shops belonging to the indigenous Chakma community were set ablaze by illegal settlers, predominantly Muslims, in Boalkhali, Dighinala Sadar, Khagrachari district, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) of Bangladesh. The incident took place around 5 PM, with accusations that nearby Bangladesh military forces, instead of intervening, aided the settlers in the destruction.
Following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government, lawlessness has reportedly spread across Bangladesh. Despite Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus granting magisterial powers to the military, soldiers allegedly supported the burning of Chakma homes and shops in Dighinala Sadar, leading to the displacement of Chakma people from the area.
On the same day, indigenous students under the banner “Sanghat O Boishamyo Birodhi Parahari Chhatra Andolan” organized a “March for Identity” in Khagrachari, demanding recognition of their rights. Around 40,000 indigenous people participated in the protest. The attack on the Chakma community is believed to be a retaliation for this peaceful march.
Suhas Chakma, Director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), stated that the arson and the government’s failure to protect the Chakma will be brought before the United Nations Human Rights bodies.
