CHT FOR EXTORTION FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TODAY (07/09/2025)

Bangladesh Army

Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari district, Chittagong Hill Tracts

Adviser GOB, Dr Muhammad Yunus, it is a matter of shame for you as a Nobel Laureate that today (7 September 2025), some members of the Bangladesh Army turned into a viligante group for the purpose of extortion from indigenous peoples of Kalapani and Tabla Para under Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari district, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). These army personnel were in plain clothes but carrying arms and demanded money from the indigenous Marma people.

The local indigenous peoples thinking these plain clothed Bangladesh Army personnel are non-State militias protested, organised themselves and captured six of them. During this confrontation, these Bangladesh Army personnel in plain clothes fired several rounds of gunshots in the air. They exercised restraints unlike non-State militias.

Later on during the day, around 200 Bangladesh Army personnel arrived at Kalapani and Tabla Para villages to rescue these six Bangladesh Army personnel. While rescuing these six Bangladesh Army personnel in plain clothes, the Bangladesh Army personnel once again opened indiscriminate fire uon the local Marma indigenous civilians. This rescue confirmed beyond any reasonble doubt that the captured vigilantes were members of the Bangladesh Army.

Everything stated above is captured in the video uploaded herewith.

We appeal to the diplomatic community and the UN human rights mechanisms to intervene with Chief Adviser GOB, Chief of Bangladesh Army ISPR Bangladesh against the Bangladesh Army personnel turning to vigilante for extortion from poor indigenous peoples.

 must take note of state sponsored lawlessness in the CHT, the homeland of the indigenouspeoplesinBangladesh. It calls for action against the Bangladesh Army personnel involved in these criminal acts. The General Officer Commanding of the Chittagong Division of the Bangladesh Army cannot evade his responsibility.

 ought to bring this to the attention of Chief Adviser GOB and it ought to report about these criminal acts of Bangladesh Army.